FC Supra Stun CPL Shield Winners Cavalry 2–1 to Take Semifinal Advantage

The Quebec newcomers made a blistering start, scoring twice inside the opening nine minutes through Zachary Brault-Guillard and a Diyaeddine Abzi effort that took a decisive deflection off Cavalry midfielder Eryk Kobza.

Cavalry, however, reduced the deficit just before half-time through Tobias Warschewski, who converted a penalty rebound after his initial attempt was saved by goalkeeper Joakim Milli.

Supra needed only four minutes to break the deadlock. Loïc Kwemi picked out Brault-Guillard near the edge of the penalty area, and the former Canada international drove a low shot beyond Nathan Ingham to give the hosts an early lead.

The visitors were caught out again five minutes later when Abzi unleashed an effort from the edge of the box following a poorly cleared corner. His shot was deflected by Kobza and found the back of the net, leaving Ingham with little chance of making the save.

Supra continued to threaten, with Cavalry defender Daan Klomp producing an important goal-line clearance to prevent David Choinière from extending the advantage.

Cavalry gradually recovered their composure and found a route back into the contest in first-half stoppage time. After a video review confirmed a handball against Abzi inside the penalty area, Warschewski stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick.

Milli saved the German forward’s initial effort, but Warschewski reacted quickest to the rebound and tucked the ball away to make it 2–1.

The second half was considerably more cautious, with Cavalry searching for an equaliser while Supra concentrated on protecting their advantage. Neither side managed to score again, leaving the visitors with a one-goal deficit to overturn in the return fixture.

The result represents a notable achievement for FC Supra, who are competing in the CPL playoffs for the first time in their inaugural season. Their victory also ended Cavalry’s status as the only CPL club they had not previously defeated.

Cavalry entered the tie as regular-season Shield winners after collecting 60 points from 28 matches, finishing 22 points ahead of fourth-placed Supra. The Calgary outfit are also pursuing a historic league double, having already secured the CPL Shield.

However, the two-goal cushion they surrendered in Laval means Cavalry must now win the return leg to keep their championship ambitions alive.

The decisive second leg will take place at ATCO Field in Calgary on Saturday, November 7, with the aggregate winner advancing to the CPL final.

The CPL does not apply the away-goals rule in its two-legged semifinals. Therefore, if the aggregate scores are level after 90 minutes of the return fixture, the contest will proceed to extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Despite their impressive opening-leg victory, Supra still face a difficult assignment against a Cavalry side that recorded a league-record 36 home points during the regular season and went unbeaten at ATCO Field in 14 league matches.