It wasn't supposed to happen like this. When the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup draw paired the Canadian Premier League's Cavalry FC against Mexican giants Pumas UNAM, most people—honestly, including some hardcore CPL fans—expected a routine demolition. We're talking about a club with a total squad value of roughly €2.65 million going up against a Liga MX powerhouse worth over €45 million. Basically, the price of a single Pumas bench player could buy the entire Cavalry roster twice over.
But soccer doesn't care about your bank account.
The Cavalry FC vs Pumas UNAM matchup turned into one of those "where were you" moments for North American soccer. It was a gritty, snowy, high-altitude rollercoaster that redefined what a Canadian club could do on the continental stage. If you missed the chaos of that two-legged series, you missed a masterclass in underdog spirit and some of the most dramatic VAR reviews in recent memory.
The Night in Langford: Ice, Snow, and a Birthday Miracle
Because February in Calgary is essentially the surface of Hoth, the "home" leg for Cavalry had to be moved to Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC. It wasn't exactly tropical. With temperatures hovering around freezing and snow piled up just past the touchlines, the Mexican visitors looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.
Pumas took the lead in the 44th minute. Santiago López, a Canadian-Mexican teenager making his debut for the University side, smashed home a rebound after Marco Carducci couldn't quite hold a low drive from Piero Quispe. It felt like the beginning of the end. The "natural order" was being restored.
Then the second half happened.
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Charlie Trafford, the heart and soul of the Cavs' midfield, slashed through a static Pumas defense in the 57th minute to equalize from an Ali Musse corner. The stadium went nuts. But the real magic—the kind of stuff that goes viral for years—came in the 80th minute. Tobias Warschewski, celebrating his 27th birthday, received a header from Jay Herdman, flicked the ball from one foot to the other like a prime Dennis Bergkamp, and poked it past Alex Padilla.
A lengthy VAR check followed. It felt like an eternity. When the goal was finally confirmed, Cavalry became the first CPL team in history to beat a Liga MX side. 2-1. Final score.
The Heartbreak at Altitude
Taking a 2-1 lead to Mexico City is like bringing a squirt gun to a wildfire. The Estadio Olímpico Universitario sits at over 2,200 meters above sea level. For a team used to the oxygen-rich air of the Canadian prairies, that thin air is a silent killer.
Pumas manager Gustavo Lema didn't mess around for the second leg. He made seven changes, bringing in the heavy hitters like Adalberto Carrasquilla and Ignacio Pussetto. They battered the Cavalry goal from the opening whistle.
The Turning Point
The wheels didn't fall off because of the altitude; they fell off because of a red card. Just before halftime, Jay Herdman was sent off for a challenge that gave away a penalty. Carducci, being the hero he often is, actually saved Pussetto's spot-kick to keep the aggregate lead intact.
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But playing 45 minutes down a man in Mexico City is a death sentence.
Guillermo Martínez eventually broke the resistance in the 53rd minute with a towering header. He doubled his tally in the 73rd with a long-range screamer. Cavalry fought like hell—they had 27 clearances and nine blocked shots—but the 2-0 loss (3-2 on aggregate) ended the dream.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Series
A lot of casual observers look at the aggregate score and think, "Oh, Pumas won, as expected." That's a massive oversimplification.
First, the talent gap was bridged by sheer tactical discipline. Tommy Wheeldon Jr. didn't try to out-soccer Pumas; he out-worked them. He used the narrow dimensions of Starlight Stadium to choke their passing lanes and relied on a "back six" defensive shell in Mexico City that nearly held out.
Second, the impact of Santiago López shouldn't be overlooked. Here was a kid born in Canada, playing for a Mexican giant, scoring against a Canadian team. It highlighted the weird, wonderful overlap of talent in our region.
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Practical Insights for the Future
If you're a fan of the CPL or just follow Concacaf, there are a few things to take away from this specific rivalry:
- Don't Sleep on the CPL: This series proved that the gap between the top of the CPL and the middle of Liga MX is closing faster than people realize.
- The "Home" Advantage Matters: Cavalry's win in BC was heavily influenced by the climate. Mexican teams historically struggle in the cold, and CPL teams need to continue leveraging that "Frozen North" factor.
- Squad Depth is King: Cavalry ran out of gas because they didn't have the bench to match Pumas' rotation. To win these series, Canadian clubs need deeper rosters to survive the travel and altitude.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, the landscape is shifting again. With San Diego FC entering the fray and teams like Forge FC and Vancouver FC drawing Mexican opposition, the lessons from the Cavalry FC vs Pumas UNAM saga are more relevant than ever.
To prep for the next round of continental play, you should keep an eye on the 2026 tournament schedule. The first round starts in early February, with Pumas set to face San Diego FC. For Cavalry, the focus shifts back to domestic dominance to earn another shot at these giants.
Next Steps:
You can keep track of the current 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup results by checking the official Concacaf match center or follow the CPL's social channels for updates on player transfers that might bolster Canadian rosters for future continental runs.