Defending CPL champions Atlético Ottawa look to book their return to the CPL playoffs on Wednesday as they host Cavalry FC at TD Place.
With a victory, they become the third team to clinch a spot in this year’s postseason, joining their opponents on Wednesday, Cavalry and Forge FC.
Atlético Ottawa hosted and defeated Cavalry in last year’s final. But after going unbeaten against the Calgary club last season, Cavalry have flipped the script this year. Cavalry have won all three meetings in 2026, and scored three each time.
It is the first time in club history they have ever won consecutive matches against the capital club, who before this year had regularly been a thorn in Cavalry’s side.
Cavalry arrive at TD Place confident as ever, following a 6-0 win over FC Supra du Québec last Friday, despite leading goalscorer Tobias Warschewski and key starters Sergio Camargo, Caniggia Elva and Harry Paton being unavailable.
Warschewski is back on Wednesday, where he looks to continue an incredible run of form, in which he has put up 11 goal contributions in his past 11 appearances. He is one assist away from setting a CPL single-season record for assists, with 10 and two goals behind the CPL Golden Boot lead.
Wednesday’s match begins a crucial road trip for the current league leaders as they search to secure this year’s CPL Shield. They also play in Toronto on Saturday, before travelling to Halifax on Thanksgiving Day. Currently six points ahead of rivals Forge,
Atlético sit ten points behind the top two, and can no longer catch Cavalry. Now their focus is on maintaining that third position, and the possibility of bringing the CPL Final back to the capital.
A 1-0 victory over Halifax on Saturday was a good step in that direction, a solid road result with a good defensive display. A win on Wednesday could extend the gap between them and fourth-place Vancouver to seven points.
The match is also about getting the team into playoff mode, and a first win of the season against, Cavalry FC, the only team who they have not beat yet this year and are on a 10-match unbeaten run, would be a big statement of intent.