Vancouver FC and Cavalry will go head-to-head for the first time in 2026, as a warm and sunny Willoughby Community Park sets the stage for a Sunday night clash.

The two sides met six times in 2025, four times in the regular season and twice in a two-legged Canadian Championship quarterfinal. Remarkably, five of those six encounters ended level after regulation, with the lone full-time victory arriving unforgettably. One of the most dramatic moments in league history saw Daan Klomp mark his CPL return with a stoppage-time header to put Cavalry ahead 5-4, sealing an extraordinary victory for the Cavs.

While Vancouver FC have yet to defeat Cavalry in regulation during the club’s short history, they have managed eight draws in 15 matches and has only twice lost to Cavalry by more than a one-goal margin. Despite the unfavourable regular-season head-to-head record, the Eagles advanced past the Cavs in the 2025 Canadian Championship via penalty shootout, continuing their impressive run to a first-ever Voyageurs Cup final appearance.

How Vancouver FC enter the match

Martin Nash’s Eagles are coming off a 2-0 victory over BCPL side Langley United in the Canadian Championship preliminary round, as well as a 3-1 win against Pacific in their most recent CPL match. After opening the regular season with three narrow one-goal defeats, Vancouver FC sits sixth in the table, but has certainly performed better than its 1-1-3 record suggests.

Vancouver FC has also been very disciplined defensively, allowing just 12 shots on target and conceding one goal per match to begin the campaign.

This match will also mark the first time Tom Field faces his former club after spending time with the Cavs since 2021.

How Cavalry enter the match

Undefeated in 2026, Cavalry enter the match following a 3-1 victory over Pacific in the Canadian Championship preliminary round and a nail-biting 1-0 road win against FC Supra the week before the break.

The Cavs, like always, had a strong start to the season, though matches have become much tighter since their 0-0 draw away to Forge in the third week.

Daan Klomp has been the standout player so far this season, tied for the team lead with three goals. Fellow defender Bradley Kamdem Fewo has also contributed at both ends of the pitch, especially over the last two matches, where he has regularly joined Klomp in attack while also dealing confidently with defensive clearances when needed.

Availability

Paris Gee went down in the 41st minute of Vancouver FC’s Canadian Championship match last week, and no update has been provided on his status at this time.

For the Cavs, Harry Paton missed last week’s Canadian Championship match due to the injury he suffered against FC Supra. Cavalry has not provided an update regarding Paton’s availability for this weekend’s contest.

Projected XIs

Vancouver FC (4-2-3-1): Callum Irving; Paris Gee, Tom Field, Matteo Campagna, Morey Doner; Marcello Polisi, Emrick Fotsing; Mo Amissi, Nicolás Mezquida, Thierno Bah; Terran Campbell.

Cavalry FC (4-2-3-1): Nathan Ingham; Bradley Kamdem Fewo, Daan Klomp, Amer Didic, Adam Pearlman; Eryk Kobza, Michael Baldisimo; Goteh Ntignee, Sergio Camargo, Nathaniel Edwards; Tobias Warschewski.

Game information and how to watch

📆 Sunday, May 17, 2026
⏰ 7:00 pm MT / 6:00 pm PT
📺 OneSoccer
🧑‍⚖️ TBD
🏟 Willoughby Community Park, Langley, Canada