Fraser Aird's third straight trip to the Canadian Premier League championship game with Cavalry FC has come with a long runway.

The Calgary-based side's first game this year was Feb. 6 against Mexico's Pumas UNAM in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. Camp opened Jan. 3.

"It's been a long season for us again this year, starting in CONCACAF and coming in in January," Aird said. "But the fact that we have a chance to play in another final come Sunday makes it all worth it."

Defending champion Cavalry has struggled against Atletico Ottawa, its opponent in Sunday's final at TD Place Stadium. Cavalry (11-8-9), which finished 14 points below second-place Ottawa (15-2-11) during the regular season, went winless in its four meetings with Ottawa.

Ottawa won both games in Calgary, 3-1 on April 26 and 2

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