Stunning goal by Atletico Ottawa’s David Rodriguez highlights Canadian Premier League soccer match played in blizzard
Canadian Premier League soccer does not normally garner much attention, even in Canada. Only seven seasons old, the competition does not feature any regular Canada internationals, let alone stars from elsewhere. But this season’s final has gone global, becoming a social media viral hit due to the combination of wild weather and an amazing goal.
The match-up between Atletico Ottawa, an offshoot of Spanish giant Atletico Madrid, and Cavalry FC was played amid a raging blizzard in temperatures of minus 8 degrees, prompting extraordinary scenes.
Mexican player David Rodriguez’s remarkable goal for Atletico Ottawa against Cavalry FC has been dubbed the “the icicle kick”. The game was played in a raging blizzard in a temperature of minus 8 degrees.Credit: @CanadaSoccerEN
Breaks in play were required every 15 minutes, during which the goalkeepers used snow shovels to help ground staff clear the lines.
With the match 1-1 after 90 minutes an hour’s delay ensued while a fleet of snowploughs cleared the pitch – which fortunately was an artificial surface.
And some of the 13,000 patient spectators in Ottawa wore snow goggles.
Despite the conditions there was also a superb overhead kick goal, dubbed “the icicle kick”, by Mexican David Rodriguez.
Rodríguez scores again for Atletico Ottawa in the game against Cavalry FC, this time in extra time.Credit: AP
That cancelled-out a penalty by former Glasgow Rangers player Fraser Aird, playing in short sleeves, who celebrated with a snowy knee slide.
Rodriguez scored his breathtaking equaliser seven minutes later, his acrobatic shot thundering in off the underside of the bar.
