Shamit Shome’s Cavalry FC Triumphs Over Forge FC to Reach CPL Final

Bangladeshi midfielder Shamit Shome’s Cavalry FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against regular-season champions Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) Contender semifinal at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday, earning a spot in their third consecutive CPL final.

Shome, a key figure in the Calgary-based defending champions’ midfield, played a pivotal role in the intense match, which saw Tobias Warschewski score the decisive goal in the 57th minute. Reflecting on the heated rivalry in the post-match press conference, Shome said, “Whenever it’s Cavalry vs Forge, we expect things to get spicy, and you saw that in both halves. But we’re trained for these moments. We live in the present, so it was all about today’s game, and now we move onto the finals.”

Cavalry FC will face hosts Atletico Ottawa in the North Star Cup final next Sunday, aiming to defend their title in the competition that replaced the North Star Shield (awarded to CPL champions from 2019 to 2022). The club acknowledged their global support, posting on Facebook: “We see you, Bangladesh! Thank you for backing Shamit Shome and the Cavs this season!”

For Shome, the win marks another milestone in a season of resilience, as Cavalry overcame challenges to secure their playoff berth and now stand one match away from another CPL crown.