2022 CPL Regular Season — Match #36
Cavalry FC vs. HFX Wanderers 
June 11, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. MT/ 3:30 p.m. ET
ATCO Field in Calgary, Alberta
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Back in mid-May, HFX Wanderers were mere moments away from what would have been a famous home victory against Cavalry FC. Only, as they have made something of a habit of doing this season, Cavalry picked up a dramatic late equalizer courtesy of Daan Klomp to rescue a big road point.

Tomorrow, the two sides will renew acquaintances, this time in Alberta as Cavalry look to build on their perfect 2-0 record at Spruce Meadows in CPL action so far this year. Last time out at ATCO Field, it was yet another stoppage-time goal, this time from Elijah Adekugbe that led to a win for the Cavs against Valour.

Halifax, meanwhile, will come into town looking for their second road win of the season, as well as just their second win all-time against Cavalry. The Alberta outfit has dominated proceedings between the two clubs, with Wanderers picking up just a single win in 11 meetings.

In fact, Cavalry has dominated proceedings against pretty much any opponent that they have faced lately. They went undefeated during the month of May in CPL action (four wins, one draw), outscoring their opponents 10-3 in the process. Halifax was the only team that managed to take points off of Cavalry this past month.

That last meeting, a 2-2 draw, between the two teams was largely decided by set plays, with all four goals coming from dead-ball situations. Halifax knows that this could be a threat once again, and has been working hard to prepare for Cavalry’s set-pieces.

“They are a big team, and a huge part of their game is set plays, so we have to try and deal with it better,” said HFX manager Stephen Hart pre-match. “We have to try to get our matchups right, and if we could limit the amount of set plays that would be nice, but that is very difficult to do in a game.”

The visitors come into this match in decent form, having beat York United 1-0 at home last weekend. They spent the week based in Halifax preparing for this match.

“We have to try to build off performances,” said Hart, “recognizing what we need to continue doing well and where we need to improve our concentrated efforts. But the mood has been very good.”

Cavalry, on the other hand, had a much-needed week off, as tomorrow will be their first match in June. Wheeldon Jr. said they have been using this extra time to prepare tactically and mentally for what they know will be a “game of patience” against a well-organized Halifax side.

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3 THINGS TO WATCH

• Halifax trying to bring scoring boots on the road: Goals, in general, haven’t been particularly easy to come by for Halifax in recent times. They scored the least goals of any club last season, and only York United has found the back of the net less in 2022. With that being said, they have actually had quite a decent attacking record at home this year. It has been on the road where they have struggled to generate offence, with just 2 goals in 4 matches outside of Nova Scotia this year. “We were just going over some of the numbers because we are entering the penalty area on par with some of the best teams that are at the top of the table,” said Hart. “We just aren’t finishing our chances. It is just a matter of doing that, continue to create the opportunities but try to take the chance a little bit quicker or use a little more composure whatever it takes to get the end product.” One interesting wrinkle to watch for in the Wanderers’ attack so far this season, is when entering that final third they almost always look to play to feet. They have the fewest successful and attempted crosses and corners in the league by far this season. The chart below shows every open play cross they attempted against York this past week.

• Cavalry embraces “lighter” June, after undefeated May:  Cavalry FC may have gone undefeated in May in CPL action, but it was still a trying month for the club. They played seven matches in all competitions and had to deal with away trips to Halifax and York. They have played the fewest home matches of any team in the league so far this season, as tomorrow will be just their third game at Spruce Meadows in CPL action. So with all that being said, this being the first of just four matches in June, two of which come at home and the other two are shorter trips to Pacific and Valour, is appreciated by the club, its staff and players. “I think it was a welcome break to be honest, especially given the start we had on the road, we were on the road a lot,” said Tommy Wheeldon Jr. of getting this past weekend off. “After being in Ontario four times and Halifax once in our first eight games…now we are looking forward to a lighter month of June”.

• Cavalry looking to continue “living above the line”:  After a tricky start to the season, in which they went winless and scored just twice in three road matches to open the year, Cavalry is undoubtedly hitting their stride. They sit in the third spot currently, three points ahead of Wanderers in the table, and for them, and after getting into that top four, their goal now is to stay in those spots the rest of the season. “We’ve had some significant injuries, we have had to alter and amend our formation a little bit, and we’ve had to do a lot of work to get to this place,” said Wheeldon Jr. “We are now above the line, that’s how we see it. You’ve got to live above the line. Top four positions matter. This is an opportunity to play against a team that is beneath us and create separation.” Wheeldon Jr. was named the league’s manager of the month of May, and while said that it is always nice to be acknowledged — although he considers this more a team award anyway — there are far more important months ahead. “All that is remembered, it is nice to win manager of the month in May, but can we do it in October,” he said.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Cavalry FC wins: 6 || HFX Wanderers Wins: 1 || Draws: 4

Previous match:

May 15, 2022  — HFX Wanderers 2-2 Cavalry FC 

KEY QUOTES

“I expect that it is going to be a tactical chess match. I think Stephen has done a terrific job with them. I think there are a lot of nuances that are new to the tactics of Halifax. It is nice to play them a second time and it is nice to play them on our pitch.” — Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. 

“We know how difficult this game is coming into Spruce Meadows, they have one of the best records in the league playing at home and they have a really good sort of balance in what they do, they are well-coached. So we know what we have in store for us tomorrow.” — HFX Wanderers head coach Stephen Hart