Here Come the Cavalry!

Step into the thrilling and topsy-turvy history of professional soccer in Calgary with this captivating chronicle written by a former player, dedicated fan, and passionate journalist. From the Boomers and Kickers of the 1980s to the present-day Cavalry FC, this book unveils the fascinating history of Calgary's professional soccer teams. To set the stage, it delves into the short-lived tenures of Cavalry's predecessors, explaining why they failed to endure. These brief ventures are contrasted with the decisions Cavalry FC has made to not only stay afloat as a professional sports franchise, but also to thrive and grow in the post-pandemic era. Bringing the narrative to life are in-depth interviews with players, coaches, fans, and team owners, providing an insider's perspective on the triumphs and tribulations experienced by Calgary's professional soccer teams. Meticulously researched with a blend of firsthand accounts and archival exploration, this book stands as the definitive history of professional soccer's evolution in Calgary. Find out why the beautiful game continues to endure in an otherwise hockey-dominated city, fuelled by the passion, dedication, and resilience that define Calgary's soccer community.

A journalist since 2016, Scott Strasser has worked as a reporter and editor for newspapers and websites in BC and Alberta. He is currently a news reporter for the Calgary Herald and Sun. In his spare time, Scott co-hosts a podcast that covers all levels of soccer in Calgary. He is also the Cavalry FC correspondent for a popular Vancouver-based blog that covers Canadian soccer. While growing up in Calgary, Scott played competitive soccer, and won a provincial championship with his U18 team in 2012. That same year, he was recruited by the University of Calgary Dinos men's soccer team, with whom he red-shirted for one year before "retiring" from the sport to pursue a growing interest in journalism.