Cavalry FC vs Orlando City SC will be the first-ever meeting between both teams. The Cavs made the Concacaf Champions Cup by winning the CPL shield with the best record in the league last year. This is while Orlando qualified for the competition by winning the U.S. Open Cup.
Cavalry FC vs Orlando City SC Predictions at Starlight Stadium
Cavalry FC
Cavalry FC made the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup by winning the CPL shield. They were presented to this award on October 7, 2023, before the game took place. In that game they defeated rivals, Pacific FC, at ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows on October 7, 2023. This is what Cavs goalkeeper, Marco Carducci, said about the achievement (source: Remy Greer of the Western Wheel):
“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Cavalry FC goalkeeper Marco Carducci. “Knowing that we secured the title two weeks ago was incredible and a great feeling to get that ahead of schedule, but to be able to share this moment with my teammates, with the staff, with the fans, that whole experience out there is just something you cherish.”
The Cavs were clearly the best team in the regular season. They finished the season with 55 points. This was 12 more points than the HFX Wanderers FC and eventual CPL champions, Forge FC.
Current Form (3-0-2)
The Cavs have not played a game since October 28, 2023, when they lost in the CPL Final against Forge FC. In their last five games, they have three wins and two losses, with both of losses coming in the playoffs against Forge FC.
On paper, this team is the best in the Canadian Premier League, even with losing the final to Forge. However, like Forge, the Cavs have not played a single game since late November. So, how fit this team is to play in a Concacaf Nations League competition will be questioned.
The large difference though is that Orlando, unlike the team Forge faced with Guadalajara, is also in pre-season. It is important to note even then that the Lions from Orlando would have played five pre-season games this year, which is not the case for the Cavs.
Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC will be making their second-straight appearance in the competition. Last year, in the then named Concacaf Champions League, Orlando was eliminated in the Round of 16 against UANL via the away goal rule.
They were the second-placed team in the Supporters’ Shield standings last year. Furthermore, their +16 goal differential was the third best goal differential of the entire league last year.
What the Cavs need to keep mindful of, is Orlando’s success in the second half as mentioned by Austin David, a Digital Content Manager of Orlando City SC. In David’s article, he gave an example of a game in October against CF Montreal. Two of the Lions three goals came in the second half. This is what Dan Thorhallson said about that (source: Orlando City SC):
“I would say usually it’s aggressiveness.” Thorhallsson said as to why this team has scored so much in that time. “We come in (the locker room) and everybody talks together. I feel like in the first 15 minutes, aggressiveness comes, and with aggressiveness comes the run on the far post, like I did.”
Current Form (4-1-0)
FULLTIME: Next time, it’s for real
3-2
#VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/EntzlJ60WN
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 18, 2024
Since losing to eventual MLS Cup champions, the Columbus Crew SC in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, the Lions have played five games so far. They won their last game 3-2 over the Colorado Rapids and have won two straight games by one goal.
This is what Orlando City SC head coach, Oscar Pareja said about the win (source: Orlando City Communications):
They will now feel confident as they head to Greater Victoria to face Cavalry FC on Wednesday.
Cavalry FC Success Against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC
For the American MLS fans, who are unaware, the CPL and Canadian MLS teams have the chance to face each other in the Canadian Championship. Cavalry FC have faced two MLS teams in its short history.
Its most notable history was against the Whitecaps. They became the first-ever CPL team to eliminate an MLS team from the competition in 2019. Nikolas Ledgerwood, who last played in 2021, said this when he was a player with the Cavs (source: Gemma Karstens-Smith of The Canadian Press):
“I honestly believe that the biggest difference between both teams tonight was that every player on our team believed we could win the game. And I don’t think that was the case on the Whitecaps,” Ledgerwood said.
The Cavs also came quite close to eliminating the Whitecaps in the 2021 Canadian Championship but lost in penalties against them at ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows.
The other time the Cavs faced MLS opposition was in the 2019 Canadian Championship semi-finals, where they faced the Montreal Impact (now called CF Montreal). The Cavs lost both at home and on the road against the Impact.
Players to Watch Out For
There are players to look out for with both teams. For the Cavs, Marco Carducci is someone to look out for. He played a big role in that upset over Vancouver in 2019 and has been named the CPL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019 and 2022. This is what Wheeldon Jr., said about Carducci when he became captain before the start of the 2023 CPL season (source: Cavalry FC):
“Marco is the perfect choice to lead our team on and off the field,” says Cavalry FC Head Coach and General Manager, Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “His performances speak for themselves; he is one of the top performers in this league and we are fortunate to have him wear our crest. In addition to his ability, Marco is a fantastic human being with incredible character and integrity, something we hold very high within our leadership structure, and we’re excited to see his impact on the club moving forward as our captain.”
READ MORE: Vancouver Whitecaps Vs Tigres UANL Predictions On February 7
They also have Kiwi forward, Myer Bevan, who was tied for first in goals in 2023 with eleven goals scored.
When looking at Orlando City SC, there are a few players to watch out for. Duncan McGuire has scored 12 goals while Facundo Torres has scored 13 goals for the club in all competitions last year.
Martín Ojeda led the team last year with eight assists.
How to Watch The Game and Predictions
Our own Callum Montgomery of Nanaimo, BC looks ahead to ‘game of his life’ in @thechampions first round.
: https://t.co/4dF0r8rSwv#RideWithUs #CavsFC #CavalryFC #ConcaChampions #StarlightStadium #LangfordBC #VictoriaBC #YYJ #OrlandoCitySC pic.twitter.com/Yb7d2RjAfH
— Cavalry FC (@CPLCavalryFC) February 15, 2024
Predictions: Cavalry FC 1 – Orlando City SC 2
READ MORE: Forge FC Vs Guadalajara Predictions: Big Game In Hamilton
Orlando is the more prepared team coming into this game. To add to this, Cavalry will not be playing at ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows for their home leg, which might affect their home advantage against the MLS side.
Fans can watch the game on OneSoccer, and also on Telus and FuboTV Inc. The game kicks off at 10:00 PM ET on Wednesday at Starlight Stadium, in Langford, British Columbia.
Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports, of a Marco Carducci Headshot, for CPL on June 11, 2023.
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