Two of the biggest drivers of Cavalry FC earned their just due reward last week.
Tommy Wheeldon Jr. and Marco Carducci were named the inaugural winners of the Coach of the Year and Golden Glove Award and VW Premier Performer, respectively, at the Canadian Premier League’s 2019 Awards Ceremony, Nov. 26 in Toronto.
“Marco has had an exceptional season and a very worthy recipient of the Golden Glove award. He was pivotal in our spring and fall season titles, setting a record of shutouts and earning himself a call up to the Canadian National team as further reward of his performances,” said Wheeldon Jr., Cavalry head coach and general manager in a press release. “He is very much a modern day goalkeeper that is calm under chaos and has the ability to start attacks as well as prevent opponents. Credit to him and his GK coach Jordan Santiago for the work they’ve done this season.”
The affable goalkeeper stood above the rest on the last line of defence in the CPL with 29 appearances and earned the distinction of being the first player from the CPL to be called up to the Canadian national team.
The leader on the sidelines, Wheeldon Jr. guided the Cavalry to the best record in the spring, fall and overall season along with leading the Cavs to the CPL finals in which they lost to the champions, Forge FC.
“Tommy has shown remarkable leadership since being announced as the coach and general manager of Cavalry FC. In a short time, he has created a culture — both on and off the field of play- that has lead to our early success,” said Cavalry FC president and C.O.O., Ian Allison. “He inspires the players, and everyone in our organization, to bring their very best every day.”
The Cavs took a big step towards picking up more silverware with a roster move last week.
Centre-back Dominick Zator, one of two Cavs players to earn a call-up to John Herdman’s Canadian senior men’s national side, was re-signed by the Cavs for the 2020 campaign.
The Calgarian played over 3,000 minutes during the 2019 season, adding three goals, highlighted by game winning tallies in the Cavs’ inaugural CPL match and their victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Canadian Championship.
“Dominick was a beast for us this season. Not only did he optimize the style of play we wanted to produce, along with scoring some memorable goals, but he was pivotal in creating the culture that aided our success,” Wheeldon Jr. said. “He’s a modern day defender that’s versatile, athletic and comfortable in possession as he likes to drive up the pitch. We are delighted to have him for our 2020 campaign.”
The Cavalry previously announced the contract extensions of Carducci along with team captains Nik Ledgerwood and Mason Trafford, attacking midfielder Sergio Camargo as well as attacker Aribim Pepple, a Grade 11 student at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School.
For more information go to cavalryfc.canpl.ca
