Calgary Foothills FC prepares to host Chicago in playoff soccer game

Calgary Foothills FC will host Chicago FC United on Saturday in Okotoks in the Professional Development League (PDL) semi-finals. Next year, a new professional soccer team is coming to Calgary called Cavalry FC with games to be played at Spruce Meadows south of Calgary.

Foothills FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr will be the general manager and head coach of Cavalry FC in the new professional CPL league and says anyone who comes to watch the high-intensity match-up this weekend will see the future of soccer in the area.

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“It’s no different than the WHL for hockey; it’s the up-and-comers,” Wheeldon Jr said. “These guys with the CPL around the corner are on a season-long audition. There will be some familiar faces like me that will transition to the pros.

“This weekend, spectators will see a high calibre of game and a glimpse of the future of professional soccer in this city and this country.”

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Foothills FC goalie Marco Carducci hasn’t given up a goal in the past five games and hopes to keep that great team game going this weekend.

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“We’re on nine straight wins and five straight clean sheets now,” Carducci said. “It’s something to be proud of and I think our chemistry together as a back line, as an entire team, everyone is doing their job.”

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Wheeldon Jr even has a nickname for Carducci: the Roman wall.

“I think he made it up,” Carducci said. “That’s my background, Italian heritage. My dad’s side of the family is actually from just outside of Rome. I’ll take it, I like it.”

Foothills FC veteran Dominick Zator is a Bishop Carroll High School grad who hopes a big crowd comes to watch this weekend.

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“I’d say it’s quite a high level, there’s a lot of good quality here on the team,” Zator said. “If they’re a huge supporter of soccer, come out and support us. This is going to be the next generation of the CPL so there’s good players to support.”

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Calgary Foothills FC host Chicago FC United at 7 p.m. at Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks with the winner heading to the PDL title game.