Jamaica’s Cavalier FC are determined to rewrite their story as they face Dominican Republic’s Cibao FC in the highly anticipated Concacaf Caribbean Cup final.

The first leg of the two-way clash kicks off on Tuesday at 8:00pm at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Cavalier, who lost last year’s finals 0-3 on aggregate to Suriname’s Robinhood, have shown marked growth this season and will be aiming to make their second consecutive final appearance count.

Both Cavalier and Cibao FC topped their respective groups with three wins each, before topping Dominican Republic’s Moca FC and Haiti’s Real Hope 7-0 and 4-2 on aggregate in their respective semi-final clashes.

In their dominant second-leg performance, Cavalier’s offensive firepower came alive. Kaile Auvray notched a brace, while Shaquille Stein dazzled with a hat-trick. Dwayne Atkinson played a pivotal role, delivering two assists.

On the defensive end, stalwarts like Richard King, Jeovanni Laing, and Christopher Ainsworth anchored the backline, contributing to two consecutive clean sheets. Their collective brilliance earned six Cavalier players a spot in the semifinals’ Best XI.

Cibao FC, the tournament’s last unbeaten team, booked their final berth with a 4-2 aggregate win over Real Hope FA. Spearheading their attack is the in-form Rivaldo Correa, who has tallied five goals in the tournament, including two in the semifinals.

Correa’s knack for delivering in clutch moments is complemented by teammates Jean López and Juan Díaz, both of whom scored in the semis and also made the Best XI.

While both teams have already secured spots in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, the stakes remain high. The winner on aggregate will not only claim the Caribbean Cup title but also earn a direct bye to the Round of 16 in the Champions Cup.

Cavalier’s Head coach, Rudolph Speid, has taken a meticulous approach to preparing his side for the challenge.

“It’s been good; we’ve looked at their strengths and weaknesses, and we have a plan. This time, we play the first leg at home, so we have to be on top for 180 minutes. It also places an emphasis on us not to concede, and if we do, then it’ll be a little more difficult for us to go away. I’m confident that Cavalier is capable of doing the business either home or away,” Speid said.

The home advantage in the opening leg provides Cavalier with an opportunity to set the tone, but they must remain resolute, as away goals will serve as the first tiebreaker if things are even at the end of next Tuesday’s decisive leg in the Dominican Republic.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Kaile Auvray, one of Cavalier’s standout performers, echoed similar sentiment.

“At the end of the day, it’s just football. Our objective is to go out there and get our hands on the trophy while enjoying ourselves. I feel like we’re very positive, and it’s about taking our opportunities when they come. I don’t feel much pressure; I’ve played in the Gold Cup before, and I’ve played in the Nations League, so I feel I’ve played these types of matches before,” Auvray noted.