THE BICYCLE KICK IN THE SNOW FROM DAVID RODRÍGUEZ PUT CPL ON THE MAP
On Nov. 9, the season’s first snowfall brought a calm winter evening to the city– except at TD Place Stadium, where fans withstood the cold to attend the CPL Final. The Canadian Premier League is on the map after the final between Atlético Ottawa and Cavalry FC.
The snowy final went viral after what might be the best goal ever scored in Canadian Premier League history, a clutch goal with a setting unlike any other, and almost entirely exclusive to Canada.
It was nearing half-time in the 2025 CPL final as Atletico Ottawa trailed 1-0 to the third-placed Cavalry. But a moment of footy madness came in the 40th minute— following a corner kick for Atletico, the ball was booted high into the box filled with players, but a lucky bounce presented an opportunity of a lifetime for David Rodríguez.
The midfielder set up his bicycle kick perfectly, striking it bar down, striking the snow off the goal past the Cavalry keeper, equalizing the game 1-1 going into the second half. Catch the icicle goal here yourself.
Rodríguez scored his second goal of the game—one that would earn them the win in a dramatic victory over Cavalry. The midfielder played a phenomenal role in earning Atlético Ottawa’s first ever CPL Title.
This viral snowy goal, dubbed the ‘icicle kick’ has exceeded one billion views across all social media platforms. The viral goal has increased viewership to the CPL massively, and many international soccer fans are astonished by the fact that these brave players are playing in the snow.
Not many soccer players know how to play in the snow quite like the ones who play in Canada.
This isn’t just a sudden moment of exposure for the team, it’s a part of a larger momentum they’ve been building up and how fans should STAY tuned in to keep watching it unfold. Salter, another Atletico player, broke the CPL record for goals in a season this year and affirmed back in October that they’re looking to cap off the season with their first championship title.
I encourage international soccer fans who enjoy following the European and South American leagues to give the CPL a follow. There are plenty of talented players who are extremely entertaining to watch, and it shouldn’t be too hard picking a team to follow.
