Historic First Championship for Atletico Ottawa
In a game that will be remembered for its harsh winter conditions, Atletico Ottawa captured their first-ever North Star Cup on November 9, 2025. The Canadian Premier League championship match required extra time to determine a winner, with Ottawa ultimately prevailing 2-1 over defending champions Cavalry FC of Calgary in a contest delayed by snow for approximately four hours.
Snowstorm Creates Canadian Soccer Classic
The championship final at TD Place in Ottawa transformed into a winter spectacle as heavy snowfall blanketed the pitch throughout the match. The severe weather created challenging playing conditions that saw athletes struggling for traction and visibility. Despite these obstacles, both teams delivered a memorable performance that embodied the spirit of Canadian soccer.
David Rodriguez emerged as the hero for the home side, scoring both of Ottawa's goals. His championship-clinching moment came in the 106th minute of extra time when he expertly chipped the ball past Cavalry goalkeeper Marco Carducci. This decisive goal followed his spectacular first-half equalizer, a bicycle kick that found the back of the net despite the difficult conditions.
Dramatic Momentum Shifts in Winter Battle
The match saw several dramatic turns as both teams adapted to the worsening weather. Cavalry FC initially took the lead at the 33-minute mark when defender Fraser Aird converted a penalty shot into the bottom right corner of the net. The celebrating visitors were met with a barrage of snowballs from passionate Atletico supporters, highlighting the intense rivalry between the clubs.
Ottawa's response came just six minutes later when Gabriel Antonaro delivered a precise lob into the box that Rodriguez converted with his spectacular bicycle kick. The second half saw limited scoring opportunities as accumulating snow made maintaining footing nearly impossible, requiring snowplows to clear the field before extra time could begin.
Aboubacar Sissoko made a crucial goal-line save with just over ten minutes remaining in regulation time, preserving the tie and forcing the match into extra time. Once the field was cleared, the game opened up significantly, leading to Rodriguez's championship-winning goal on a fast-break opportunity where he outpaced Cavalry's defense.
Home Field Advantage Proves Decisive
The victory extended Atletico Ottawa's impressive home unbeaten streak, which dates back to August 3, 2024. The second-seeded Ottawa squad finished the regular season with a 15-2-11 record, while third-seeded Cavalry FC posted an 11-8-9 record. Ottawa's adaptation to the winter conditions demonstrated their versatility, as the team typically emphasizes ball movement under coach Diego Mejia but successfully adjusted their strategy to utilize speed along the wings in the challenging weather.
Cavalry FC, known for their defensive strength throughout the playoffs having allowed just one goal in two previous matches, fought valiantly to protect their title but ultimately fell short in the waning minutes of extra time. The victory marks a significant milestone for Atletico Ottawa and represents the culmination of their successful 2025 Canadian Premier League campaign.
