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The winning culture of Cavalry FC should continue into the 2023 Canadian Premier League campaign.
That made possible by Wednesday’s news of nine core players returning to man their battle stations for at least one more season.
Cavalry confirmed defenders Daan Klomp and Roberto Alarcon, midfielders Jose Escalante, Ben Fisk, Charlie Trafford, Fraser Aird and Mikael Cantave and attackers Goteh Ntignee and Gareth Smith-Doyle have all extended their contracts with the club through 2023 and beyond.
They are all key cogs for GM/head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
“This is a fantastic core of players that we can continue to build a club around,” Wheeldon said. “In all off-seasons, it is important that we build on our strengths and continue to strive to make the squad stronger with new faces.
“This core gives us great quality, continuity and chemistry moving into our fifth season and a solid spine to build around, whilst also having that fire in their belly to come back stronger in 2023.”
After joining Cavalry in the clubs’ inaugural season in 2019, Honduran warrior Escalante has made 88 appearances for the club, pushing to reach the 100-appearance milestone in 2023. With his creative playmaking style along the wing, Escalante has scored a total of nine goals and provided 16 assists throughout his career with Cavalry. Escalante’s current deal goes through 2023 and includes a club option for the 2024 season.
Creative Canadian Ben Fisk and Dutch defender Daan Klomp both signed with the Cavs in 2021, with Fisk creating a threat in the midfield over 48 appearances with two goals and six assists and Klomp defending within the back line over 55 appearances with six goals and two assists. Both players’ deals also include a club option for the 2024 season.
Both having joined ahead of the 2022 season, Trafford and Aird have been secured within the core and will be rejoining the squad. After an unfortunate ACL injury which ruled dynamic Aird out for the majority of the 2022 season, the midfielder has his sights set on returning for the upcoming season and has a club option to extend his contract for 2024. As a member of the 2022 leadership team, the veteran Trafford made 26 appearances since joining the club and will be continuing to utilize his leadership skills in the midfield throughout the upcoming season.
In the second half of the season, the club signed Spanish player Alarcón, who provided three assists over 17 appearances since his arrival in Calgary. Joining the club in the same window, Canadian Cantave creates an attacking threat after scoring one goal and providing two assists over 13 appearances for the club. Both players will be returning for the upcoming season, and each have a club option to extend their contract in 2024.
Calgary-grown duo Smith-Doyle and Ntignee will also be rejoining the squad following their respective debut seasons with the Cavs. Smith-Doyle has made five appearances for the club so far following a successful career with the University of Calgary Dinos, while Ntignee impressed with an assist on his debut this past season against Pacific FC while making two appearances for the club so far. The club has a 2024 option to extend the current deals for both players.
“All these guys were a key part of setting a new club unbeaten record in the 2022 season,” Wheeldon said. “And let’s not forget how close we were to setting more, as we were two points off of another top-spot finish in the regular season, a penalty-kick shoot-out from beating the Whitecaps again and a one-goal swing from reaching another playoff final.”
The club is still in contract discussions with existing players, along with new players, and will be announcing more confirmed signings in the new year.
The Cavs have declined the 2023 option for defender Bradley Vliet’s contract due to international roster rule requirements. “We thank him for his contribution to Cavalry FC,” said the team in a statement Wednesday. “The club wishes him the best for the next chapter of his career.” … The Cavs have signed 25-year-old central midfielder Jesse Daley from Australia’s Brisbane Roar to a multi-year contract. “I’m very excited to touch down in Calgary and work alongside everyone at the club,” Daley said. “I want to add to the successful foundations laid by Tommy and everyone at the club. I’m very proud to be representing the people of Calgary as a member of the Cavs. I’ve seen videos of the Cavalry supporters, and I can’t wait to play for the best fans in the league on ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows this season.” The Australian midfielder began his professional career with Seattle Sounders FC 2 (now known as Tacoma Defiance) in the USL Championship before transferring to Brisbane Roar of A-League Men, the highest division in Australia, with whom he made 54 appearances for the club. “Jesse is a player than we feel brings dynamism and personality to our midfield,” Wheeldon added. “He joins us from a very good environment in Australia’s top tier and has valuable experience playing in North America. He will bring great energy, very good passing range and the ability to play both sides of the ball.”
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— with files from Postmedia news services
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