Cavalry FC 2021 Season Preview

It was the same old story for Cavs at the Island Games in 2020 - topping the table in the “regular season” but losing out in the playoffs. This led to a significant upheaval of the roster in the off-season, including the loss of several fan favourites. We would be remiss without mentioning Cavalry’s embarrassing jersey situation as well, highlighting Fort Calgary (a location that was long a meeting place for Indigenous people of the region, but that aspect not being acknowledged) and James Macleod, a key figure of the Northwest Mounted Police. The club’s focus on military history has been strange, and to be honest, off-putting since day one, and in the current climate of reconciliation, the jersey is more than a little disrespectful. Safe to say this is the first Cavs jersey we won’t be owning.

On the pitch, Cavs have lost some huge pieces, but have also made some of the biggest signings of the off-season. It’s hard to argue they have the deepest squad in the league (yes, including Forge), but how the new pieces integrate into the squad will be telling to whether there’s a third consecutive title challenge at Spruce Meadows. With Tommy Wheeldon Jr. at the helm, we’re guessing they’ll be right there at the end of the day.

Key Arrivals

Joe Mason, F (2020: MK Dons, English League One)

Mason won’t be joining up with his new teammates right away, but when he does, he’ll immediately be one of the league’s top forwards. Appearing in 24 games for mid-table MK Dons in League One this year, and scoring 5 goals (including his last against the author’s Sunderland squad), Mason comes to the CPL with a few good years still to give. With over a hundred games played in each of the Championship and League One (as well as brief North American stint with Colorado of MLS) and 60 league goals to his name, Mason brings a ton of experience to Calgary. Never an overly prolific striker, it will be interesting to see how he slots into Wheeldon Jr.’s plans.

Daan Klomp, D (2020: NAC Breda, Netherlands)

Dominick Zator’s replacement at the back arrives from the Dutch Eerste Divisie (2nd tier), having spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Helmond from NAC Breda. With his last match coming more than a year ago in February 2020, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for him to get up to speed. Still only 22, the big story for Klomp is his appearances against Ajax when NAC were in the Eredivisie. He certainly has the pedigree, and if he lives up to expectations he’ll be a key player for Cavs this year.

Anthony Novak, F (2020: Forge)

Talk about a surprise - Novak has been a thorn in the side of Cavs and their supporters with Forge for the past two years, so it was unexpected to say the least to see him move west this off-season. However, with Marcus Haber and Jair Cordova moving on, there was certainly an opening for a physical frontman and there’s few better than Novak in CPL. It’ll be interesting to see how Wheeldon Jr. uses him along with fellow strikers Ahinga Selemani, Joe Mason and José Hernández but we expect Novak to be a focal point of the Cavs attack this year.

Other arrivals: Joseph Di Chiara, M (2020: York); Ahinga Selemani, F (2020: Lincoln Red Imps, Gibraltar); Tom Field, D (2020: Dundee, Scotland); Tyson Farago, G (2020: Valour); David Norman Jr., D/M (2020: Inter Miami, MLS); Victor Loturi, M (2020: MRU, USports); Daniel Kaiser, M (2020: MRU, USports); Ali Musse, F (2020: FCA Darmstadt, Germany); Karifa Yao, D (2020: Montreal, MLS - loan)

Big Departures

Dominick Zator, D (York by way of a loan at Vasalunds, Sweden)

It’s strange to think of a Cavs lineup without hometown boy Zator, but here we are. Between the loss of Zats and Nico Pasquotti, Cavs have lost 2 huge fan favourites that are both from southern Alberta. The league seemed to celebrate Zator’s move to York, but we find that strange - as you’re trying to build up fanbases at each club, wouldn’t you want local fan favourites to stick around? Or would the league prefer the top players always end up with the Ontario clubs? In any case, Zator comes to Winnipeg as one of the most in-form players, having seen fairly regular minutes in the Swedish second tier with Vasalunds, including starting his last 2 games with the club. His step up to this level shows what a loss he’ll be to the Cavs backline, who need Klomp to be able to fill his shoes.

Nico Pasquotti, W (free agent)

This is another sad one, for different reasons. Pasquotti suffered a horrible injury in the first match of the Island Games, and has yet to return to playing. Communications from Cavs on his status have been next to nil, and from some of his tweets, so has the support. This is incredibly disappointing, and along with the jersey, makes it hard to cheer for the club. Pasquotti’s situation also reinforces the need for the league to engage with the players’ union, despite the commissioner’s reluctance to do so. On the field, Pasquotti’s pace and long throws will be a miss, and we hope he shows up in the league again - whether with Cavs or not.

Nathan Mavila, D (IK Brage, Sweden)

Mavila took a step forward in 2020 as he established himself as probably the best leftback in the league. Understandably, he was looking for a new challenge and found an opportunity in the Swedish third tier with Brage. His crossing ability and eagerness in the tackle will be missed, but Cavs will be hoping that Tom Field can slot right in as his replacement.

Other departures: Jordan Brown, F (VfR Aalen, Germany/now Fylkir, Iceland); Jair Córdova, F (Alianza Universidad, Peru); Niko Giantsopoulos, G (York); Marcus Haber, F (Visakha FC, Cambodia); Jonathan Wheeldon, D (retired); Bruno Zebie, M (free agent); Dean Northover, D (retired); Tofa Fakunle, M (free agent); Aribim Pepple, F (Getafe, Spain)

Likely lineup

G

The starter’s spot in net is Calgarian Marco Carducci’s to lose until he inevitably moves on to a higher league. Tyson Farago has been brought in to replace Niko Giantsopoulos as Carducci’s backup, and he’ll likely get a few games to give Carducci a rest.

D

We see Wheeldon Jr. going with a five-man back line, with the wingbacks pushing forward. In this system, Klomp, the experienced Mason Trafford, and on-loan Karifa Yao will likely start in the centre, although David Norman Jr. might drop back from time to time as well. Last year’s revelation Mo Farsi will slot in at right wingback, and Tom Field will replace Mavila on the left, although Jose Escalante can deputize there as well.

M

The addition of Joseph Di Chiara from York should add some steel to the Cavs midfield, especially with veteran Nik Ledgerwood getting up there in years. We expect him to be a regular in the middle of the park, to be partnered with a younger Canadian - either Elliott Simmons or David Norman Jr. Ahead of them, we expect a couple of attacking mids playing off the main striker. To begin the season, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Sergio Camargo and Jose Escalante in these roles, although Brazilians Richard Luca and Oliver Minatel are likely to see a fair share of time as well.

F

Expect Anthony Novak to be the main man up top in Calgary. However, Cavs are full of options at striker, with Ahinga Selemani and José Hernández options from the get go, and Joe Mason joining later this year.

Keep an eye on: Jose Escalante - after missing out on the Island Games, it will be interesting to see if it’s the same Escalante that returns in 2021: a talented winger that frustrates the hell out of opponents, but generally keeps from crossing the line.

Big Question: What’s the best lineup?

With the depth on this Cavalry squad, it was honestly tough coming up with a likely starting eleven. At almost every position, Cavs have multiple high quality squad options. This is a good problem to have, no doubt, but Wheeldon Jr. will need to get the combination right to get the most out of the team. And there remains the question of whether the league’s top defender - Zator - has been adequately replaced. If so, we’re looking at another successful [regular] season for the Calgary side.