Cavalry, Wild FC both host weekend soccer with sport's attendance on upswing in Calgary

Calgary Herald

16-05-2025

Article content
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).