Sunday was a missed opportunity for Valour FC.
It’s now four losses in their past five games for Valour who couldn’t capitalize on their chances in a 1-0 loss to Cavalry FC in front of 3,770 fans Sunday at Princess Auto Stadium.
Cavalry (3-8-2) winning their third game of the season means they are now one point back of the fifth-place Forge FC who sit in the final playoff spot, showing how one win can really change everything.
Valour FC Themi Antonoglou (right) defends against Calvary FC Sergio Camargo in Winnipeg Sunday.
While Valour (2-4-7), stays sitting at the bottom of the standings, tied with the Halifax Wanderers at 10 points, making no progress in the quest for playoff contention in Week 13 of the Canadian Premier League season.
The four points that had separated the two teams is now a daunting seven for a team where wins have been hard to come by.
“It’s important for us to get wins now,” said Valour head coach Philip Dos Santos. “And to be able to get them back to back. I feel that you know, we had an opportunity to do it, we weren’t able to.”
After coming off a 1-0 clean-sheet victory against York United FC to break a three-game losing streak, Valour was returned the favour, not getting anything past Cavalry goaltender Marco Carducci.
This is the second occasion Valour and Cavalry have met this season, last time resulting in a 1-1 draw.
“Just felt like it was slow,” said Dos Santos. “It was slow the way we moved the ball, the way — it’s not that the guys didn’t want the rhythm to increase, it’s just after 60-70 minutes, the legs start failing and was just not meant to be today.”
“Disappointed obviously, loss at home,” said Valour’s leading scorer Jordan Swibel. “It’s not what we set out to do. I thought we fought well, I just think there’s little moments in that game where we can be better.”
Valour went down 1-0 in the first half off the foot of Cavalry’s midfielder Fraser Aird in the 35th minute, his third goal of the season.
Although Valour had some chances, including a one-on-one opportunity for Swibel, it was not enough as Aird’s goal stayed as the game-winner for Cavalry.
“Now, it’s just about recovering and looking forward to the next game,” said Swibel. “…There’s a lot of football to play, a lot of points up for grabs. So that’s what we’re gonna look to do and just keep moving forward.”
“There’s always positives,” said Dos Santos who was impressed with his team’s transition play and ability to defend big spaces.
Valour will start a three-game road trip against the Halifax Wanderers (2-4-6) on July 18.
After the road trip, nine of Valour’s final 12 matches will be at home, hoping to make a playoff push with the support of fans at Princess Auto Stadium.
“Doesn’t matter if we’re home or away,” said Swibel. “We’ll stick together like a band of brothers.”
