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But for now, it’s a time of bloodletting after a frustrating — yet proud — end to the Cavs’ Canadian Championship run.

“How we’re feeling was shown on the face and in the comments of their players coming off the field (at the end of the game),” said Wheeldon Jr. “They’re celebrating because it was a close game. They’re celebrating coming here and taking it from us when we had them on their back foot.

“It was an honour to be in the fight. We wanted to create this professional football team for Calgary. We’ve done a great job, and the city is behind us.”

Sure was Wednesday night, with a turnout of fans that backed the team in full throat, urging it to pull off the upset of the more entrenched MLS opponent with a bigger budget and a larger roster.

“We asked the fans to be in their seats early,” said Wheeldon Jr. “The reason being is as we grow this football culture in our country, if your fans are in their seats ready to welcome out the players like gladiators as they come into the arena, you can see the boys with their chests puffed up. I couldn’t thank the fans enough.”

He wasn’t the only one.

“I would like to congratulate everybody with the Cavalry for an amazing atmosphere — it was fantastic,” said Impact head coach Remi Garde. “The crowd and the support was perfect. I think it’s very great for Canadian soccer.”

One to remember, for sure.

“Wow … I liked what we were seeing from that crowd — it was just a really cool night to be at Spruce Meadows and to be a part of it,” said Cavalry veteran Mason Trafford. “We were ready, we were eager, we were hungry … We had the belief that we were going to turn the tide.”