Atlético Ottawa and the Canadian Premier League return to TD Place this Saturday at 3pm alongside the incredibly successful and popular ‘Pay What You Can’ initiative – this year raising money for Humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. 

This will be Atlético’s first ‘full’ CPL season, with a minimum of 28 games to be played (14 at TD Place). In this weekend’s home opener they face Cavalry FC, a side they beat twice last year.

After a disappointing 2021, Atlético have regrouped during the offseason, adding experienced players and coaching staff as well as retaining the services of stand-out performers from last year on multi-year deals.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s kick-off:

• ‘Pay What You Can’ initiative returns for Atlético’s first home match, making the global game of soccer accessible to everyone, all the while raising money for a great cause (see more details below). 
• Alongside the new faces added to the 2022 roster are the return of fan favourites Carl Haworth and Maxim Tissot – both of whom enjoyed successful years in the capital with Fury FC. 
• Atlético Ottawa have been busy recruiting off-field assistance too and the addition of Head Coach Carlos Gonzalez is a coup for Atleti. With experience at both club and international level, Gonzalez is sure to shake things up on and off the field. 
• Cavalry FC are one of the CPL’s most successful sides, qualifying for the playoffs every year. However they have struggled when facing Atléti, including a 3-1 defeat at TD Place last year – a stand-out game in what was a difficult campaign. 
• Retaining the services of star performers was important to Atleti, all the whilst understanding that the team needed strengthening. 
  • Some key additions have been Ballou Tabla (from CF Montréal in the MLS), Ollie Bassett (CPL winner last year with Pacific FC) and Abdou Sissoko (who has played the game at some of the highest levels around the world). 

Head-to-Head v Cavalry FC

• 3 wins / 1 loss / 0 draws
• 8 goals scored / 5 goals against

ATOxUkraine

• Atlético Ottawa will wear a special tribute kit – yellow and blue – in support of Ukraine
  • The match-worn kits will be auctioned off online following the match HERE.

• Pre Match:
  • Ukrainian anthem to be sung by Akord Ukrainian Men’s Choir of Ottawa
  • Ukraine Ambassador to Canada to take part in a ceremonial coin toss 
• Proceeds of the ticket sales go directly to support humanitarian assistance in Ukraine
  • Funds from the 50/50 and Jersey Auction will go to local organization in support of displaced Ukrainians arriving in Canada (special shout out to The Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association of Ottawa in helping us select trustworthy and impactful recipients)
• Other sights and sounds (and food!) to celebrate the Ukrainian culture and strength of its people

In Their Own Words…

“I want my team to have personality. I want a team that’s ambitious, that wants to create trouble for the other team. I want them to be proactive, not sit back and wait for mistakes. We are going to be a side that’s very adaptive,” Head Coach, Carlos González.

“I’m not just here to get good results on the field, I want to develop these young players, to make them know the sport better, to understand the tactical side of the game better too,” Head Coach, Carlos González.

“We’re feeling really good. It’s a different mentality and atmosphere than in 2021, it’s great and that’s all down to Carlos’ technical and tactical ability. The experience we have in this squad is great too,” Captain, Drew Beckie. 

“We’re excited to build on [last year] and we’re going to have better results this season too which will encourage people to come in. Soccer is growing in this city and we can feel it,” Captain, Drew Beckie.