By Noah Konorty | November 14
Ottawa, ON (November 12, 2025) — The 2025 Canadian Premier League (CPL) Final will be remembered not just for the title on the line, but for the snow-globe spectacle that played out at TD Place Stadium. In a match marked by freezing temperatures, relentless snowfall, and sheer determination, Atlético Ottawa defeated Cavalry FC 2–1 in extra time to lift the North Star Cup — their first championship in league history.
The match unfolded in brutal -8 °C conditions, with heavy snow battering the field throughout. Play was halted multiple times during regular time to allow snowplows to clear the turf, and lines had to be re-drawn to maintain visibility. Extra time was delayed by nearly an hour as crews cleared the field — a true testament to the grit and perseverance of both the players and the staff.
Despite the harsh weather, the intense conditions couldn’t dampen the drama on the pitch. Cavalry FC struck first via a penalty from Fraser Aird in the 33rd minute, giving the visitors a early lead. But just seven minutes later, Atlético Ottawa’s David Rodríguez produced a moment of magic: a stunning bicycle kick, now famously dubbed the “Icicle Kick,” to level the game in the snow-laden first half. When the snow eased in extra time, Rodríguez struck again — chipping over the Cavalry goalkeeper in the 107th minute to clinch an unforgettable 2–1 victory. He was named Finals MVP, capping off a performance that will go down in CPL folklore.
This final wasn’t only a Canadian milestone. According to league reports, it reached 786 million viewers across 173 countries, making it one of the most-watched moments in CPL history. The snow, the goals, the intensity — it resonated far beyond Ottawa, solidifying the CPL’s growing international footprint.
Amid the fallout of Ottawa’s snow-filled triumph, a different kind of excitement is brewing in Kingston, Ontario: the city is on a clear path toward joining the professional soccer landscape. The Kingston Sentinels, backed by Victory Group Ventures (VGV), will field men’s and women’s teams in League1 Ontario’s League2 Division starting in 2026.
VGV has even bigger ambitions. The group is pushing forward with plans for a soccer-specific stadium at Kingston Memorial Centre, with the aim of launching a CPL franchise as early as 2027. The proposed facility, designed for both community and professional use, would be a year-round hub — potentially domed in winter — to support both local soccer development and high-level competition.
For Kingston, the Sentinels and stadium plan represent more than just a team: it’s a long-term investment in soccer as a pillar of community identity and athletic opportunity. With more than 10,000 youth players already registered in the region and a growing appetite for the sport, VGV sees Kingston as a natural fit for expansion.
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