Blizzard Can't Stop Beauty: Canadian Premier League Final Delivers Spectacular Bicycle Kick Goal as MLS Eyes Winter Play
Should North American soccer adopt the European calendar format as MLS has suggested, expect more evenings similar to this one. The Canadian Premier League delivered one of the most thrilling championship matches in global football, contested beneath heavy snowfall in Ottawa.
Featuring Atletico Madrid's affiliate Atlético Ottawa facing Calgary's Cavalry FC, the encounter quickly transformed into an unforgettable experience for both sides, complete with multiple snow removal intervals and captivating early action.
Cavalry took the lead from a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. However, their advantage was short-lived as Atlético Ottawa created magic in the 20th minute when David Rodriguez unleashed a spectacular overhead kick that struck the crossbar before finding the net.
With the North Star Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup qualification at stake, plus the approaching international window, delaying the fixture wasn't feasible, requiring snow removal equipment on the field hours before start time and a minor kickoff postponement.
When play commenced, the spectacle intensified further. The ball glided through the snow while staying in bounds momentarily, with match officials ordering pitch clearing every quarter-hour to maintain line visibility.
During these snow removal periods, even the shot-stoppers grabbed shovels—probably not something Atletico Ottawa's Nathan Ingham anticipated in his professional football journey.
Halfway through the opening period, both Atlético boss Diego Mejia and Cavalry chief Tommy Wheeldon Jr. engaged in a heated verbal exchange regarding Ottawa's substitute situation.
Ottawa had kept their reserves in the dressing room to escape the harsh conditions, referencing teams at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup adopting similar tactics to avoid extreme heat. Cavalry objected, and the players were ultimately returned to the snowy sidelines.
This wasn't the sole dramatic snow encounter in Canada on Saturday; both collegiate championships also took place amid heavy blizzards. Still, it didn't deter many supporters, and such conditions could become more common for North American clubs with the potential transition to European football scheduling.