There are a few ways one can react when watching David Rodriguez soar through a thick blanket of snow to score the equalizer for Atletico Ottawa in the Canadian Premier League final on Sunday.
Most likely it would be some sort of incomprehensible noise of appreciation for the 23-year-old Mexican’s ability to get up despite the slippery conditions, swinging his boot over his head and a bicycle kick hitting the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
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However, you would almost certainly quickly focus on the thick blanket of frost that was covering the field, combined with the continuing torrential downpour, and wonder how a soccer game could be played, even considering the Canadians’ harsh winter reputation, in such conditions. Up to 20 centimeters of snow hit Ottawa over the course of the day Sunday, but with postponement out of the question, snowplows were called into action throughout the day to try to clear the field and allow the postponed game to eventually get underway in the deciding Canadian Premier League game.
Once play actually commenced – the orange winter ball behaving as expected in the conditions – proceedings were often halted by the match officials to allow clearing to ensure the pitch marks remained visible. At one point, Ottawa goaltender Nathan Ingham picked up a shovel to help clear the field and get the play moving again. A shouting match then broke out between Atletico coach Diego MejÃa and rival Caffarley boss Tommy Weldon Jr. over the lack of substitutes on the first bench.
Goal 🦖
David Rodriguez are you kidding me!!!!!!
A bicycle kick goal in the 2025 Canadian Premier League final to kick things up a notch @AthleteOttawa 🤯🤯🤯
🔴 Watch #CanPL The final is live on OneSoccer, TSN and FuboTV pic.twitter.com/4RhNsBI4zH
– Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) November 9, 2025
Citing the example of FIFA Club World Cup participants who left their substitutes in the dressing room to avoid the heat, Atlético instructed its reserve players to remain indoors to avoid the elements at kick-off, which Weldon Jnr objected to. The referees eventually sided with the Knights’ boss, and Atlético’s seat returned to the frozen tundra that was TD Place.
Considering the sights, not to mention the stunning nature of Rodriguez’s goal, the game has already been billed as going down in Canadian soccer history. The icing on the cake also came from Rodriguez: the 23-year-old came up again in extra time to beat Knights goalkeeper Marco Carducci and secure his team the North Star Trophy, as well as a place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
