The Canadian Premier League final saw Shamit Som’s Cavalry FC face Atlético Ottawa in a dramatic encounter. The match ended 1–1 after the regular 90 minutes, forcing extra time where Atlético Ottawa triumphed 2–1, clinching the title.
However, the match itself wasn’t only about the goals and the trophy – the weather took centre stage. Played at TD Place Stadium in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Som and his Cavalry teammates battled through a snowstorm with temperatures plunging to minus 2°C. Snowfall throughout the match forced several interruptions as the pitch became progressively harder to play on. There were even debates about sending players back to the dressing rooms to protect them from the intense cold. In the end, what should have been a two-hour match lasted over four hours, finishing well beyond the scheduled time.
Snowstorm Disruptions
According to The Athletic, a significant snowstorm hit the Ontario region on match day, with nearly 20 centimetres of snow accumulating in Ottawa. Snow on the pitch isn’t uncommon in Canada, but such conditions made it nearly impossible to distinguish the touchlines or penalty area markings. Snow removal began early in the morning, with snowploughs, blowers, and shovels working tirelessly to clear the field. Even with all this effort, the match kicked off 20 minutes late.
While some might find the snow thrilling, it certainly wasn’t a pleasant experience for the players. Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. commented before the match, “This weather is for the brave. (The final) will turn into an action movie from a musical.”
Controversy Over Substitutes
A further controversy emerged when Atlético Ottawa head coach Diego Mejía initially instructed his substitute players to remain in the dressing room to avoid the cold. Cavalry’s coach Wheeldon Jr. objected, claiming this gave Ottawa an unfair advantage. In response, Mejía argued to the referee that, as in FIFA Club World Cup matches where players are allowed to stay in the dressing room to escape the heat, they should be permitted to do the same in cold weather. The referee, however, did not accept this argument and instructed Ottawa’s substitutes to return to the bench.
A Match Played in Snow
As soon as the match began, snow spread across every corner of the pitch, transforming the field into a white canvas. Both teams used neon-orange footballs to increase visibility. Referee Michael Venne frequently called for ground staff to clear the lines, and the first major break occurred at 16 minutes when Ottawa goalkeeper Nathan Ingham, armed with a shovel, took it upon himself to clear snow from the penalty area.
Football in the Snow
The relentless snowfall made it difficult for players to pass accurately, slowing the game considerably. The ball often got stuck in the snow, and there was a constant risk of players slipping. At times, even the spectators couldn’t quite figure out where the ball was.
In the 33rd minute, Cavalry FC won a penalty. Midfielder Fraser Aird’s shot slid through the snow and into the net. However, just seven minutes later, Atlético Ottawa responded with a stunning bicycle kick from David Rodríguez that levelled the score.
Breaks, Delays, and Extra Time
The match saw five breaks in play during the first 90 minutes, with the referee stopping play to allow for the snow to be cleared from the pitch. After 90 minutes, with the score tied at 1–1, the game moved into extra time.
As expected, play resumed quickly after the break, but once again, snow caused further delays. Snowplough trucks were brought in to clear the pitch, and for the second time, both teams retreated to the dressing rooms as grounds staff worked on the field. At this point, many spectators began leaving the stadium. Although 13,132 tickets had been sold, it was estimated that only about 10,000 fans remained in attendance.
Just before extra time, both teams agreed to forgo the usual five-minute halftime break, instead opting to play the additional 30 minutes without interruption. It was in the 105th minute that Atlético Ottawa scored again, with Rodríguez netting the winning goal, securing the 2–1 victory and the CPL trophy.
Shamit Som’s Performance
Shamit Som was included in Cavalry FC’s starting lineup and played through until the 105th minute. According to football statistics website Footmob, the Bangladesh midfielder had one shot on target, although it was unsuccessful. He completed 30 passes, with 16 finding their intended target, and made seven long passes, one of which was successful. His rating for the match was 6.3, slightly lower than fellow midfielder Eric Cobza, who scored 6.6. Both players received yellow cards, which affected their overall ratings.
Som, who braved the minus-2°C temperatures in Ottawa, is expected to return to Dhaka shortly. Bangladesh’s national team has upcoming matches against Nepal on November 13 and India on November 18.