Cavalry FC make history once again
Posted January 14, 2020 9:24 pm.
CALGARY – In the first off-season following a historic debut season by the Cavarly Football Club, once again finding its name in the Canadian Premier Leagues’ long list of firsts.
Defender Joel Waterman has become the first ever player from the CPL to be sold to another league on a permanent transfer.
Cavalry defender Joel Waterman. First CPL player to sign with another league. PHOTO: Cavalry FC
Waterman signed a two-year contract with Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact for an undisclosed amount.
“The opportunity for Joel to play for one of the game’s greats, Thierry Henry, is something we couldn’t deny him,” said Head Coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
“Joel is fully deserving of the attention he got after the high levels of performances he displayed this year for us in the Canadian Premier League, showing class and consistency in abundance.”
Wheeldon added the team wishes him all the best in his future.
“Whilst Joel leaves big shoes to fill, he also creates another opportunity for another young Canadian player to fulfill their dreams of playing professionally in their country.”
Waterman was one of the Cavalry’s first draft picks in the 2018 U-Sports draft.
During the 2019 season, he logged 1,900 minutes, three assists, and one memorable goal, against HFX Wanderers, in 25 appearances.
… when all that soccer tennis pays off!
Finesse from @16Waterman
— Cavalry FC (@CPLCavalryFC) October 6, 2019
While the Cavarly are no stranger to the Impact–playing them in the Canadian Championship semi-finals, before losing 3-1 on aggregate to the eventual Voyager Cup winners–Waterman did not make an appearance for the team while playing Montreal.
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“My time at Cavalry was very special to me for many reasons. I got to play with my closest friends at a professional level and learn things about myself not only as a player but a a person. Most importantly I was part of an historic season with a club that is so much more than what they achieve on the pitch,” Waterman said in a statement.
“Seeing what it did for the city of Calgary and the people invested in the club was more than any trophy could fulfill. I’d like to sincerely thank my teammates, coaching staff, ownership, fans and the entire organization for what they’ve done for me. I wish nothing but the best for the club in the future years to come.”
Cavarly fans still have the opportunity to see Waterman, if the Cavalry and Impact meet in the 2020 Canadian Championship Final.
