Cavalry, Wild FC both host weekend soccer with sport's attendance on upswing in Calgary
For the first time in Calgary's storied sports history, professional soccer for both genders will be played in the city on the same weekend.
Article content
Cavalry FC, the well-established Calgary men's side of the Canadian Premier League, suits up Saturday at Spruce Meadows.
Article content
And Calgary Wild FC, the upstart crew of first-ever pro females representing YYC, take the pitch Sunday at McMahon Stadium.
Article content
Article content
It seems footie on the big stage is, indeed, on the rise here.
Article content
Article content
'It made me proud as a Calgarian to see the support Wild got for their home opener,' praised Cavalry GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr., of the 8,556 fans on hand last Sunday for the Northern Super League debut at the grand ol' ball park.
Article content
'It looked like a great event — watched the highlights,' continued Wheeldon, himself absent from the Wild kick-off due to travels with his own charges back from Halifax. 'And I look forward to catching a game there pretty soon as a fan.'
Many a Calgarian did catch that milestone moment, relishing what is hoped among the soccer community to be the next big step for the sport in a city which has been hot and — mostly — cold for its pro footie teams over the decades.
Article content
Lately, that temperature has been on the rise with each passing year thanks to the success of Cavalry, which has seen its game attendance improve by 28% to a 4,500 per-game average since its kickoff in 2019 and ticking up towards 5,000 per match this year.
Article content
Article content
Combined with the Wild being introduced to Calgarians with 8,500-plus in the stands of McMahon, it certainly means the appetite for soccer is continuing to grow around these parts.
Article content
Article content
'Inspirational, yeah,' Wheeldon declared when asked what last Sunday's Wild game — and its draw of support — meant to the community.
Article content
'We use the term a lot about, 'If you can see it, you can be it,' right? And you see that in a lot of the young groups that walk out with us on the pitch, to the club programs that we run, to the pathway that we have … and it's been great. We've been able to be aspirational pieces.
Article content
That, of course, is to watch the men representing Calgary, who square off Saturday against visiting Pacific FC at ATCO Field (3:30 p.m., TSN2, OneSoccer.ca).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Calgary Wild FC captain Meggie Dougherty Howard signs through 2028
CALGARY – Calgary Wild FC has extended the contract of captain Meggie Dougherty Howard to 2028. The 30-year-old midfielder from Largo, Fla., has two goals, three assists and has amassed 22 shots on net in 1,410 minutes played for the pro soccer club in the Northern Super League that launched this year. Calgary (6-8-2) visits the Montreal Roses on Saturday. Dougherty Howard spent eight years in the NWSL with the Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride, San Diego Wave and Angel City FC before signing with Wild FC in February and becoming the club's first captain. She was a four-year starter at the University of Florida before turning pro. Dougherty Howard totalled 14 goals and 25 assists over 94 matches with the Gators. She was named the NCAA's Southeastern Conference tournament MVP in 2016 when she registered an assist in each match, including the match-winning golden goal in the final. 'I really wanted to stay in Calgary because it is exciting to be a part of a new organization and I feel very strongly about building this club and its direction forward,' Dougherty Howard said Wednesday in a statement released by the Wild. 'I've been to a lot of places throughout my career that have gotten it right, and others that have not. The intentions behind this club are positive and aligned with my values as a player and a person, so I want to continue to play here and share my leadership on and off the pitch. Over the next three years, I have really high hopes for this club. I want us to be competing for championships every year and be a team that other teams are fearful to play. I feel we are heading in that direction.' Wild sport director Alix Bruch called Dougherty Howard 'a game changer.' 'Meggie is an incredibly consistent player who has been an integral part of our team,' Bruch said. 'Her leadership on and off the field has raised the standards of our club in this new journey. Her style of play features all the qualities of a top midfielder: sound technical skills, great vision, a strong passer and tackler. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Moreover, she is a lead-by-example type of player, but also a supportive leader who listens and knows how to boost her teammates' confidence so they all feel comfortable on the pitch.' Dougherty Howard arrived in Calgary from Florida during frigid weather in February. 'I remember getting outside and thinking, 'Did I make a mistake?' I truly didn't know if I could function,' Dougherty Howard stated. 'I learned very quickly that if you layer up, we can get it done.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2025.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Abigail Strate up blossoming on grand prix ski-jumping circuit after another bronze Sunday
Article content WISLA, Poland — Canada's Abigail Strate is not shy to admit that she enjoys the summer sun but has never found her mojo on ski jumping towers around the world when the flowers are in full bloom during the Summer Grand Prix season. Article content That has all changed over the last two weeks as the 24-year-old ski jumping rockstar is blossoming herself in the air. Article content The Calgarian landed on the bronze-medal step of the podium in Wisla, Poland with 116.4 points on Sunday. Article content Article content 'I'm a summer person, for sure,' Strate said. 'I like the sun and have always liked jumping in the summer. The last time I jumped well in the summer, it carried into the whole year, so hopefully this is a good omen for me.' Article content Article content Slovenia's Nika Prevc completed the golden sweep in Poland, winning with 126.2 points. Japan's Nozomi Maruyama topped Strate for the silver with 117.5 points. Canada's Nicole Maurer placed 26th. Article content The world's best women's leapers have competed in a new spectator-friendly format each of the last two Sunday's. In the first round, athletes jumped in groups of five with the top two in each group advancing to the second round. Each of the top 20 competitors who headed back to the top of the hill started with zero points for the second round. Article content No matter the format, Canada's Strate is prepped and ready to soar. Article content 'Right now, it feels a bit similar to when I got the (three straight) World Cup podiums, but it doesn't feel as unexpected,' she said. 'I know the jumps are good and I feel confident they will keep being good. It's not just happening in competition. I'm also always in the top three or four right now in official training and qualifications.' Article content Article content Strate has flown into a new stratosphere over the last two weekends while racking up four straight podium finishes including her first-ever victory, to go along with three bronze medals. She is only the second Canadian ski jumper to ever medal in two straight events on back-to-back weekends. Her 2022 Olympic bronze medal-winning teammate, Alex Loutitt, rattled off four straight bronze medals on the 2023 Summer Grand Prix. Article content 'In my heart, this is so fun, and I have many positive emotions,' added Strate. 'It feels great for me now, but I know this isn't when I want to be great. I really hope this can last until the start of the winter and through the season.' Article content Strate's new approach into her flight path this season towards the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in February is paying off. Article content 'I feel like I'm approaching the jump in a different way. I'm seeing the jump as a whole now, so it is a different mental approach. I do lots of visualization and mental preparation, so by the time I attempt the jump I feel like I have done it 10 times already,' said Strate.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rapid, Wild post shutout wins in NSL
Delaney Pridham scored in the eighth minute then added another goal eight minutes later as the visiting Ottawa Rapid defeated the Montreal Roses 2-0 in Northern Super League action on Saturday. Melissa Dagenais made two saves to record the clean sheet for the visitors. The Roses controlled possession for 59 per cent of the match, and outshot the Rapid 15-6, but the visitors led 3-2 in on-target shots. The Roses took six corners, while the Rapid received the only two yellow cards of the match. In Calgary, Kathryn Harvey scored in the 59th minute and the host Wild defeated the Halifax Tides 1-0. Stephanie Bukovec made three saves to record the clean sheet. The Wild controlled possession for 58 per cent of the match. The Tides outshot the hosts 13-9, but Calgary led 4-3 in on-target shots. The Wild took eight corners compared to the Tides' seven, and the visitors took three of the match's four yellow cards. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2025.
