Atlético Ottawa Edged by Cavalry FC

August 3, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release

Ali Musse is back.

The 2023 Players Player of the Year made his return from injury off the bench on Saturday in the nation’s capital and scored a brace to hand Cavalry a 2-1 victory over Atlético Ottawa in the nation’s capital. Sam Salter looked to have given the hosts a point with an 87th-minute equalizer, but Musse provided the match-winner for the visitors in stunning fashion just two minutes later.

It was the first time in 2024 that the 2023 regular season winners Cavalry FC have won back-to-back matches in the league – but they had to wait a while on the night to make that happen. In the third minute of the match, a flash of lightning sent both teams back to their respective locker rooms for a lengthy weather delay. Two hours later, after the severe weather system had moved through the area, the sides returned to the pitch to resume play.

Cavalry had the first chance of note in the 13th minute, as Diego Gutiérrez carried the ball into a dangerous area down the byline. His cutback attempt bounced around the Ottawa box, and both Tobias Warschewski and Sergio Camargo had cracks at goal, but both saw their attempts blocked.

Eight minutes later, Ottawa’s Tyr Walker tripped up Camargo just outside his box – giving up a dangerous free kick. Warschewski’s attempt, however, was once again blocked by the Atleti backline.

Cavalry continued to create chances with brilliant ball movement, putting the hosts under pressure for long stretches during the opening half hour. In the 28th minute, Camargo got himself all alone in the box, but his shot was stopped well by Rayane Yesli.

The hosts were able to slow the match down thereafter, however, and hold the ball a little bit better. Matteo de Brienne had a decent effort from distance in the 38th minute, which was caught and held by Marco Carducci. That was the last chance for either side during a mostly quiet first half, with the score remaining 0-0.

At the half, Cavalry decided to make a bit of a tactical switch, bringing on striker Lowell Wright for Camargo. Warschewski moved back into the middle as a second striker, with Wright leading the line up top.

The visitors had an excellent chance early in the second half, as Shamit Shome dispossessed Liberman Torres in the centre of the park. He sent the ball to Warschewski, who returned it to him in a dangerous spot alone down the left side of the box. Shome got his shot all wrong, however, and sent it…