The first leg of the Canadian Premier League finals was filled with drama, with Cavalry FC defender Joel Waterman and Forge FC midfielder Tristan Borges both receiving straight red cards from match official Pierre-Luc Lauziere.

Forge FC announced it was filing an appeal regarding Tristan’s red card the next day, with Cavalry FC following suit in regards to Waterman. Today, Canada Soccer has made a decision regarding both players, announcing that Waterman’s red card will be upheld, while Borges’ red card decision will be overturned.

The governing body explained that Waterman was guilty of a handball offence, and in doing so had denied a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity when he dragged his arm backwards as he slid. As per the laws of the game, Lauziere’s decision to show the player a red card and give Forge FC a penalty kick was correct, and so Waterman will miss the second leg of the finals.

Borges – who was sent off for an alleged kick-out at Cavalry FC defender Jay Wheeldon – was found to have not used excessive force or brutality against his opponent, with Canada Soccer stating that the official made an error in sending him off. Thus, the current golden boot leader is now available for the second leg.

Of course, these decisions favour Forge FC, who took the first leg 1-0 and dominated the match after Waterman was sent off in the first half. Still, Cavalry FC won the spring and fall seasons by consistently finding a way to win even when the odds were against them, and with a home crowd at ATCO Field to push them onwards, anything is possible.

With the league’s best naturally-developed rivalry consistently showing fireworks on the pitch, it wouldn’t be surprising if more red card drama arises in the second leg – even with an entirely different officiating crew.

The second leg of the Canadian Premier League finals will take place this Saturday. The game will be streamed live on OneSoccer, with CBC Sports broadcasting it on a tape delay.

Whatever unholds in the inaugural season’s last ninety minutes, one of Cavalry FC or Forge FC will become the first team to lift up the North Star Shield.

Source: Canada Soccer