OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — David Rodriguez scored his second goal of the game in the 106th minute and Atletico Ottawa won the Canadian Premier League's North Star Cup in a snowstorm Sunday night, beating defending champions Cavalry FC of Calgary 2-1.
“I’m never going to forget this night,” said Rodriguez, the Mexican midfielder who saw snow for the first time this year. "I just want to thank all the people that showed up tonight.”
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Atletico Ottawa's Ballou Tabla (13) raises the North Star Cup following Atletico Ottawa's victory over Cavalry FC in extra time during the Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Atletico Ottawa's David Rodríguez (7) scores on Cavalry FC's Ali Musse (7) during extra time Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Atletico Ottawa's David Rodríguez, left, loses his footing as he crashes into Atletico Ottawa's Monty Patterson, right, during second-half Canadian Premier League finals soccer match action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP) I
Cavalry FC's Tobias Warschewski (9) losses his footing as he attempts to gain possession of the ball from Atletico Ottawa's Noah Abatneh (23) during first half Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Atletico Ottawa's David Rodríguez, center, sits in the snow as he reacts to a call by a referee (not shown) during second-half Canadian Premier League finals soccer match action against Cavalry FC in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP) I
Cavalry FC's Mihail Gherasimencov (19) complains to a referee, center left, after being issued a yellow card during second-half Canadian Premier League finals soccer match action against Atletico Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP) I
Atletico Ottawa's Kévin David Nogueira Carvalho Dos Santos (19) heads the ball as Cavalry FC's Eryk Kobza (24) fights to gain possession during second half Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
TD Place was blanketed by heavy snowfall, with plows brought on to clear the turf before extra time.
“That wasn’t a game,” Cavalry coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. said. “That was a fight.”
In the 33rd minute, Cavalry defender Fraser Aird tucked the ball into the bottom right corner. In a testament to the rivalry between the sides, the celebrating visitors were met with a barrage of snowballs from Atletico fans.
Just six minutes later, Ottawa midfielder Gabriel Antonaro lobbed a pass into the box that evaded the crowd through the snow and found Rodriguez for a spectacular bicycle kick.
“I didn’t think about it,” Rodríguez said. “I just did it.”
Said Ottawa coach Diego Mejía: “It’s the best goal ever in this league. Ever in this league.”
Ottawa won its first title.
“Even if we had played in water, in a pool, we’d win the match,” Mejía said.
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Atletico Ottawa's Ballou Tabla (13) raises the North Star Cup following Atletico Ottawa's victory over Cavalry FC in extra time during the Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Atletico Ottawa's David Rodríguez (7) scores on Cavalry FC's Ali Musse (7) during extra time Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Atletico Ottawa's David Rodríguez, left, loses his footing as he crashes into Atletico Ottawa's Monty Patterson, right, during second-half Canadian Premier League finals soccer match action in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP) I
Cavalry FC's Tobias Warschewski (9) losses his footing as he attempts to gain possession of the ball from Atletico Ottawa's Noah Abatneh (23) during first half Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
Atletico Ottawa's David Rodríguez, center, sits in the snow as he reacts to a call by a referee (not shown) during second-half Canadian Premier League finals soccer match action against Cavalry FC in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP) I
Cavalry FC's Mihail Gherasimencov (19) complains to a referee, center left, after being issued a yellow card during second-half Canadian Premier League finals soccer match action against Atletico Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP) I
Atletico Ottawa's Kévin David Nogueira Carvalho Dos Santos (19) heads the ball as Cavalry FC's Eryk Kobza (24) fights to gain possession during second half Canadian Premier League finals soccer action in Ottawa, on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
