Points shared in Men’s Waterloo Region Derby

June 26, 2026

Waterloo, ON – The Waterloo Region Derby delivered a tense, highly physical match as neighboring rivals Waterloo United and Cambridge United played to a 2-2 draw at RIM Park. A fast-paced first half saw Cambridge take an early cushion, but Waterloo battled back before halftime to split points on the night. 

TEAM

Cambridge United Starting XI: Jovicić (GK), E. Antolcic, Lesic (Dell 59’), Ciavarro (Elezi 63’), Alvarado (Grant 84’), Greenidge (Brousseau 82’), Kohar, Heimbecker, Paton (Arango 63’), Shaikh (Medeiros 46’), N. Antolcic (C).

Unused subs: Findlay (GK), Romano

First Half

Cambridge United opened the match with a perfectly executed start on the road. Just 3 minutes in, Matthew Ciavarro found the back of the net to put the visitors ahead 1-0. Cambridge kept the pressure high and doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Landon Paton beat the Waterloo keeper.

Waterloo United responded quickly to swing the momentum. Two minutes after Paton's goal, Waterloo's Ali Ahmad scored in the 24th minute to trim the lead to 2-1. Just before the break in the 42nd minute, Waterloo was awarded a penalty, which Ahmad converted to tie the game at 2-2. The half ended physically, with Cambridge’s Evan Antolcic picking up a yellow card in stoppage time.

Second Half

Head Coach Jon Morgan adjusted his midfield at the half, bringing on Noah Medeiros for Adam Shaikh. Elliott Dell then entered the backline in the 59th minute to maintain defensive stability.

In the 63rd minute, Cambridge swapped both goalscorers, introducing fresh attacking legs with Jon Elezi and James Arango. The second half turned into a tactical, physical defensive battle with very few clear-cut chances for either side.

As both teams pushed for a late winner, things got heated in the final minutes. Cambridge picked up two late yellow cards, with Luca Romano booked in the 89th minute and Jon Elezi in the 90th. Ultimately, the defensive lines held firm until the final whistle to solidify the 2-2 scoreline.

The Cambridge Men will look to build on this hard-fought away point as they travel to Telus Dome to take on Whitby FC. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.