Potentially, Cavalry FC's Concacaf Victory Could Motivate Canada's Major League Soccer Squads
Despite expanding to three Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs in Canada back in 2012, current preseason optimism for CF Montreal, Toronto FC, and the Vancouver Whitecaps seems somewhat subdued.
The Vancouver Whitecaps bid farewell to beloved coach Vanni Sartini last season and shipped midfielder Stuart Armstrong off to the English second tier after his much-hyped arrival, all amid rumors of the club being put up for sale.
Meanwhile, the age of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi is catching up with Toronto FC as they limp through preseason under yet another manager, following the failure of their previous two coaches due to injuries and turmoil.
CF Montreal did impress in Year 1 under Laurent Courtois, yet a shakeup in the front office and a disappointing winter of uninspiring signings indicates that they may remain on the fringes of the playoff picture.
On a brighter note, Calgary-based Cavalry FC has recently made headlines with its historic victory against Pumas UNAM in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup, becoming the first Canadian Premier League (CPL) club to defy a Liga MX opponent.
Cavalry's 2-1 triumph over the Mexico City outfit in Leg 1 was a remarkable achievement, given that they were down to ten men, hadn't played a competitive match since November, and won't return to action until early April.
Should Cavalry manage to secure another win in the return leg in Mexico City, they would cause a sensation by orchestrating one of the biggest upsets in Concacaf Champions Cup history. Regardless of the Leg 2 outcome, pundits hope that the small-scale club's moment in the spotlight will shine a light on the Canadians' MLS counterparts and remind them that they no longer hold a complete monopoly on the Canadian pro soccer market.
While the MLS system guarantees permanent membership in the North American top division, its Canadian clubs still profiteer from significantly more linear TV time on TSN and RDS than their American counterparts—41 combined regular-season games as opposed to fewer.
Additionally, geographical diversity within MLS allows its Canadian teams a longer season than CPL teams, and these Canadian clubs only share local venues with the NHL. With no other major sports rivaling for local market share in Toronto (3 million residents) and Vancouver, these teams are well-positioned to maintain ahold as MLS mainstays.
Unfortunately, Toronto has been the only consistent standout among the trio, with the Canadian national soccer program having historically struggled to live up to expectations. As Canada prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the nation's soccer federation remains saddled with financial problems and unrealized potential.
However, the flourishing of Canada's MLS academies has played a significant role in bolstering the Canadian national team's play and paved the way for the formation of the CPL in 2017.
Cavalry's recent performance in the Concacaf Champions Cup has shown that the CPL's product can hold its own, although it may not yet measure up to that of MLS or Liga MX. Fans of clubs such as Vancouver FC and York United in Vancouver and Toronto enjoy alternative local options to their respective MLS sides, while Cavalry's impressive showing may prompt Montreal to consider expansion.
While Cavalry FC cannot compete directly against the Whitecaps, TFC, and CF Montreal for an MLS berth, their unwavering determination and success may illuminate the potential that lies within Canada's club soccer scene and inspire other MLS teams to work harder towards realizing that potential.
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Cavalry FC recently achieved a significant milestone by securing a 2-1 victory over Pumas UNAM in the first leg of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C.
Tobias Warschewski scored the winning goal in the 80th minute, with Charlie Trafford providing the equalizer after Pumas opened the scoring in the 44th minute. The historic achievement marked the first time a Canadian Premier League team defeated a Liga MX side in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Cavalry's recent performance against Pumas demonstrates their growth and perseverance following a debut loss to Orlando City SC in a prior Concacaf Champions Cup matchup. Their organized defensive approach and lethal counterattacking proved instrumental in securing the historic victory over Pumas, which has provided Canadians with revitalized belief in their ability to compete at the highest level.
After securing a historic 2-1 victory against Pumas UNAM in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Cavalry FC from the Canadian Premier League made headlines, becoming the first Canadian club to defeat a Liga MX opponent. This achievement was particularly noteworthy as Cavalry played with ten men and was without competitive action since November.
Given Cavalry's impressive performance in the Concacaf Champions Cup, other Canadian MLS clubs might consider expansion, such as CF Montreal, who could be inspired to strengthen their own squads.
