Musse scores as Cavalry beat Vancouver 1-0 to win the CPL Shield

CALGARY — Ali Musse scored in the 29th minute and Cavalry FC beat Vancouver FC 1-0 at ATCO Field on Sunday to win the Canadian Premier League Shield.




It was around one degree at kickoff, and snow had to be cleared off the pitch before the match. Musse's first half goal, set up by Caniggia Elva, was enough on a day when Cavalry's defending did the rest.




By halftime the numbers matched the scoreline. Cavalry had outshot Vancouver 9-2, the half’s only two shots on target were both Cavalry’s, and the expected goals count read 0.74 to 0.07.




Vancouver finished with 51 per cent of the possession and more passes than Cavalry, 419 to 400, but did not put a single shot on goal. Cavalry outshot Vancouver 14-7, with three shots on target, and won the corner count 6-3. Nathan Ingham's clean sheet came without a save to make.




The full-time numbers from the club's data pack underlined the gap. Cavalry posted 1.16 expected goals to Vancouver's 0.23, created both of the game's big chances, outshot Vancouver 11-2 inside the box and touched the ball 39 times in the opposition box to Vancouver's seven.




Tommy Wheeldon Jr. started Ingham in goal behind Adam Pearlman, captain Daan Klomp, Amer Didić and Bradley Kamdem, with Eryk Kobza and Michael Baldisimo in midfield and Musse, Tobias Warschewski and Goteh Ntignee behind Elva.




Forge FC drew at Pacific FC, leaving Cavalry two points clear at the top at the final whistle. It is Cavalry's third regular season title, after 2019 and 2023, and it comes with a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and home field through the playoffs.




Vancouver came in needing a result to reach the playoffs for the first time. FC Supra du Québec's 4-3 win at Halifax took the fourth and final playoff spot instead, and Vancouver's season is over.




Cavalry’s playoffs open against Supra in a two legged semifinal, with the first leg at Stade Boréale on Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m. MT, and the second leg at ATCO Field on November 7 or 8.




This recap is brought to you in part by Animas Painting — interior and exterior painting in Calgary. Reach Rafael at 403-604-5529.