Atlético Ottawa withstood blizzard-like conditions to win its first-ever title on Sunday, taking down Calgary’s Calvary FC 2-1 in extra-time.
In an instant classic played in truly Canadian conditions, Atlético was able to lift the Canadian Premier Leauge’s North Star Cup before some 13,000 fans at TD Place Stadium.
It didn’t look like that would be case early on in the game when Calvary was awarded a penalty to dart out to a 1-0 lead.
But David Rodriguez drew the home squad level with a remarkable bicycle kick, sending the snowy home crowd into a frenzy.
The two teams ended the first 90 minutes tied, and snowplows were called in to clear the field for extra time.
As extra time got on its way, the snow largely stopped and the teams were able to play on a cold but mostly clear field for the first time all night.
After a scoreless first frame of extra time, Rodríguez found the scoresheet again as he chipped past Cavalry goaltender Marco Carducci in the 106th minute. After the final whistle blew, an emotional Rodríguez circled the field alone to show his gratitude to the fans who watched his heroics through hours of snow.
With the win, Atlético becomes only the fourth team to win the championship in the league’s seven seasons. Hamilton’s Forge FC has won four titles, while Calvary and the Victoria area’s Pacific FC have won one championship apiece.
As the CPL champion, Atlético has secured a place in the 2026 tournament for the best clubs in North America, Central American and the Caribbean.
Forge, the regular season champions, has the CPL’s other spot in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Atlético finished second in the regular season standings, two points behind Forge and 14 points ahead of Calvary.
Atlético secured a spot in the championship by defeating Forge in the semi-finals on Oct. 22. Under the league’s Page playoff system, Forge had a second chance to reach the final in this last weekend’s second semi-final match up against Calvary but lost 1-0.
Forge defeated Atlético in Ottawa in the 2022 CPL final in front of almost 15,000 fans.
Atlético began play in the CPL in 2020. Calvary has been a member of the league since its first season in 2019.
The CPL is the highest tier of competition in the Canadian soccer system.
with files from the Canadian Press
