The Northwest Division’s two most recent kingpins lock horns this weekend. Okotoks plays host to one of the best rivalries in the Premier Development League’s Western Conference as Foothills FC clash with the Portland Timbers in a two-game set at Foothills Composite. “We’ve been in this division for four years and they’ve always brought a strong competitive group,” said Foothills FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “They have a great success rate of getting players into the pros, they handpick the NCAA lads that get into the MLS draft. “Last year they pipped us on goal difference, took the division title off us so we want to do it back them this season.” The Timbers took two of three meetings last season and edged out Foothills on goal differential, as both teams had identical records, to take the division banner. “They’re physical, they’re quick, technical, they like to compete. They’re a strong team,” said Foothills winger Ali Musse. “They were competitive games, the scoreline I wouldn’t say gave it justice. They’re one of the top two, three teams (in the Northwest).” Foothills is tops in the Northwest with a 2-0 record after back-to-back clean sheets versus Victoria Highlanders. Foothills is one of just three out of 20 teams in the Western Conference yet to concede a goal. “We focus on ourselves mostly, it doesn’t really matter who we’re up against, we take the same plan,” Musse added. “We just prepare the best we can, we deal with what they have. Our coaching staff brings us information and then we go from there.” They’ve only added to their ranks with a number of key signings. New to an increasingly deep Foothills FC squad are defensive midfielder Sergio Camargo out of the Toronto FC program, defender Chris Serban from the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 and goalkeeper Nathan Ingham, formerly of FC Edmonton, making for strong competition in training for playing time. “It’s healthy to have more guys because everybody wants to play,” Musse added. “It’s usually intense, competitive, we play a lot of small sided games and everything with the goal to win. That’s just how we are individually and collectively.” Game 1 of the weekend set is May 25 at 7:30 p.m. The second match is May 27 with an opening kick-off of 2 p.m. Launching the Cavalry The Canadian Premier League officially unveiled the Calgary Cavalry FC on May 18 at Spruce Meadows, the home of the professional team set to launch in the spring of 2019. Wheeldon Jr. was announced as the club’s head coach with many of the Foothills FC roster bidding to advance to the professional ranks next season. “After keeping it in for a while what you can and can’t say it’s official. I’ve got a job to finish here through the summer and then I will be transitioning to them,” Wheeldon Jr. said. “These guys are auditioning. That’s the way we’ve always looked at it. The PDL program was a bit like the Hitmen where you’re trying to get the next crop into the pros. We haven’t had a professional league for them to go into unless it was an American- based one. “Now there is a chance for a Canadian player. For these guys to see that, it’s touching distance right in Calgary where many of them have played for many years. For these guys, they’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It’s a great carrot for them to go for.”
