David Rodriguez’s Stunning Performance Secures Victory for Atlético Ottawa

There are various reactions one might have after witnessing David Rodriguez rise through a thick layer of snow to net the equalizing goal for Atlético Ottawa in Sunday’s Canadian Premier League final.

The most common would likely be an expression of awe at the 23-year-old Mexican’s remarkable ability to prevail despite the slippery surface, executing a bicycle kick that struck the underside of the crossbar before finding the back of the net.

However, one’s attention would soon shift to the heavy snowfall blanketing the pitch, raising questions about the feasibility of playing football in such conditions. Over the course of Sunday, Ottawa experienced up to 20 centimeters of snow, prompting officials to deploy snowplows to clear the field and enable a delayed kickoff for the crucial match.

As the game commenced, the orange winter ball reacted predictably to the conditions, and play was frequently interrupted by match officials to clear the field and maintain visible pitch markings. At one point, Ottawa goalkeeper Nathan Ingham even took to shoveling snow himself to expedite the resumption of play. A notable incident occurred when a verbal altercation erupted between Atlético coach Diego Mejia and Cavalry FC’s Tommy Wheeldon Jr over the absence of substitutes on the Atlético bench.

Drawing parallels with participants at the FIFA Club World Cup who remain in the dressing room to avoid extreme heat, Atlético had instructed their reserve players to stay inside to resist the harsh elements at kickoff. Wheeldon Jr contested this decision, eventually convincing the referees to permit the Atlético bench to return to the frigid environment of TD Place.

In light of the extraordinary circumstances and the spectacular nature of Rodriguez’s goal, this match is already being heralded as a historic event in Canadian football lore. Adding to the drama, Rodriguez made another crucial impact in extra time, chipping Cavalry keeper Marco Carducci to secure the North Star Cup for his team, along with a coveted spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup.