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Priorities[edit]

  • 2019 Forge FC season: Write season review (in progress)
  • 2019 Canadian Premier League finals: Write match summary for game #2
  • 2021 Forge FC season: Write season review
  • 2022 Forge FC season: Write season review (in progress)
  • 2023 Forge FC season: Write season review (in progress)
  • 2023 Canadian Championship: Explain and cite TSS FC Rovers's "notable" performance
  • Review and improve citations in Canadian Championship articles
  • Fix match report links
  • Create article for CPL Inaugural Match(?)


  • MacLeod, Meredith (Summer 2019). "Forging Ahead". Hamilton Magazine. Vol. 41, no. 3. Hamilton, Ontario: Postmedia. pp. 50–55. ISSN 1207-1471 – via FlowPaper.

History[edit]

[1]

Hamilton was linked to a professional soccer team as early as June 2013, when reports first emerged of a professional soccer league launching in Canada.[2] Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young was part of a group of investors, predominantly from the Canadian Football League, working with the Canadian Soccer Association and president Victor Montagliani.[2]

In February 2016, the ownership group sought permission from Hamilton City Council to erect a dome over the Tim Hortons Field playing surface to allow for year-long activity, including soccer. When the Canadian Premier League was officially announced, it was revealed that Hamilton's club would be the flagship franchise.[3]

On May 6, 2017, Hamilton was one of two cities accepted by the Canadian Soccer Association for professional club membership when the Canadian Premier League was unanimously approved.[4]

Forge FC was officially unveiled as the league's sixth team on July 12, 2018. The club revealed its crest, colours and branding, as well as its place in the league for the 2019 launch season.[5] The name was chosen to represent city's industrial heritage and forging ahead building its future.[6]

2019 Review[edit]

[1] [2] [3]

Preseason[edit]

Forge announced Sigma FC co-founder and head coach Bobby Smyrniotis as its first head coach and technical director on October 1, 2018.[7] The team then went about building its roster, starting with the signings of Kyle Bekker and Chris Nanco November 29 as part of a Canadian Premier League (CPL) event where every team unveiled its initial player signings.[8] Forge announced many additional signings in the leadup to the season, with many players having had ties to Smyrniotis at Sigma.[9][10] On April 24, Forge announced that Kyle Bekker would be the club's first captain.[11] Entering the season, Forge were considered to be a favourite to be CPL champions.[12][13]

Season[edit]

Forge played its first ever competitive game on April 27, 2019, in the Canadian Premier League's inaugural match against York9 FC.[14][15][16] ADD MATCH RESULT.[17][18] After losing their next match 2–1 away at HFX Wanderers FC, Forge won its first ever competitive game and earned its first clean sheet on May 8 at home against Pacific FC with a 3–0 win. Over the CPL's ten-match spring season, Forge earned a 6–1–3 record to finish second behind Cavalry FC. As one of the CPL's "inaugural teams", Forge competed against FC Edmonton and Valour FC during the spring season for the CPL's spot in the 2019 CONCACAF League.[19] The Hammers qualifed for the spot on June 15 after defeating Valour FC 2–1.[20]

In Canadian Championship play, Forge opened play against Cavalry FC in the second round. Cavalry prevailed 3–2 on aggregate over the two-legged tie, knocking Forge out of the competition.[21] The tie was marked by controversy when a scrum broke out between both teams at the end of the first match. Cavalry players accused Forge assistant coach Peter Reynders of using racist remarks during the scrum,[22] leading to a Canadian Soccer Association investigation.REF After initially being given a suspension, Reynders successfully appealed the charge.[23] This incident is considered to have started a rivalry between the two clubs.[24]

Forge played its first international match August 1 at home against Guatemalan side Antigua GFC. Forge prevailed 2–1 on aggregate in the two-leg preliminary round series to advance to the round of 16.[25] There, Forge FC was eliminated 4–2 on aggregate by Honduran club C.D. Olimpia.[26][27]

After losing their first match of the fall season, Forge went on a 14-match unbeaten run in league play. Forge was able to clinch the finals berth after a 3–0 victory over Pacific FC on September 28, 2019.[28] Despite not clinching the fall title, Cavalry and Forge's dominance ensured that no other team could catch them in either the fall or overall standings. Forge would go on to finish second in the fall season by one point, winning the Finals berth not as the fall title winner but the second-placed overall finisher.[29]

Forge FC won the league championship in their inaugural season after defeating Cavalry FC 2–0 on aggregate in the 2019 CPL Finals.[30] Golden Boot winner Tristan Borges scored the opening goal during the first leg on October 26 in Hamilton. David Choinière scored the final goal late in stoppage time during the second leg, held on November 2 in Calgary. (Eighth and ninth matches between the two teams this season).

Aftermath[edit]

This championship season marked the start of Forge's dynasty, being the first of four CPL championships in five years.

Forge qualified for the 2020 CONCACAF League where they reached the quarter-finals, a new best result for a CPL team.[31]

Club[edit]

Kits[edit]

[32]

2021 Review[edit]

In the club's 2021 season, Forge competed in the CONCACAF League for a third consecutive season. This year, the club advanced to the semi-finals for the first time, coming from behind in the quarter-finals to defeat Santos de Guápiles F.C. 4–3 on aggregate to qualify for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.[33] Domestically, Forge finished first in the CPL and qualified for the CPL Final, but were defeated 1–0 by Pacific FC, ending the club's quest for a third consecutive title.[34]

2022 Review[edit]

On February 16, 2022, Forge FC became the first Canadian Premier League team to participate in the CONCACAF Champions League, hosting Cruz Azul in a 1–0 loss,[35][36] and eliminated by them in the first round, 4–1 on aggregate.[37] REWRITE.

On October 30, Forge FC defeated Atlético Ottawa 2–0 in the 2022 Canadian Premier League Final to claim their third CPL title.[38] During the season, captain Kyle Bekker and four other players recorded their 100th matches with the club;[39] each player was presented with a commemorative Forge jersey with the kit number 100 at a home match.[40]

2022 Club[edit]

On January 2, 2022, Forge FC reorganized its ownership under the newly announced Hamilton Sports Group, an entity that also owns the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the master licence for Tim Hortons Field. Bob Young continues to serve as chairman and the largest shareholder while also welcoming new investment from Hamilton-based steel company Stelco (represented by its chairman and CEO Alan Kestenbaum), club CEO Scott Mitchell, and Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson.[41]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jacques, John (April 24, 2019). "Forge FC Originally Considered For MLS, USL, And NASL". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Milton, Steve (June 6, 2013). "Ticats involved in early days of new vision for Canadian soccer". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  3. ^ Milton, Steve (February 4, 2016). "Pro soccer team for city sees dome at Ticat field". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  4. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (May 6, 2017). "Canadian Premier League unanimously ratified by CSA". Waking the Red. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  5. ^ McIsaac, Greg; Gogishvili, Aaron (July 12, 2018). "Forge FC unveiled as Hamilton's Canadian Premier League Club". canpl.ca. Canadian Premier League. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  6. ^ W. Larson, Kurtis (July 13, 2018). "CPL forges ahead, adding team in Hamilton". Toronto Sun. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  7. ^ Milton, Steve (October 1, 2018). "Bobby Smyrniotis named first Forge FC coach". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  8. ^ Thompson, Marty (November 29, 2018). "Kyle Bekker, Chris Nanco reunite with Bobby Smyrniotis at Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  9. ^ Gourlie, Matthew (April 26, 2019). "Sigma brotherhood looking to spark Forge". June of 86. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Bedakian, Armen (March 27, 2019). "Pre-season projections: The best at every position (right now)". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  11. ^ Thompson, Mart (April 24, 2019). "'Leading by example': Kyle Bekker named Forge FC captain". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023.
  12. ^ Bedakian, Armen (April 22, 2019). "Bedakian: 1 reason why your team will win the 2019 season … and why they won't". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024.
  13. ^ Sandor, Steven (April 25, 2019). "Projected XI: Could this be Forge FC's lineup for opening day?". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Canadian Premier League kicks off, marking new era for soccer in Canada". sportsnet.ca. April 27, 2019.
  15. ^ Mowat, Justin (April 26, 2019). "Hamilton's new Forge FC soccer team kicks off Saturday". CBC News. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024.
  16. ^ Davidson, Neil (April 27, 2019). "Forge FC, York9 FC tie in Canadian Premier League's entertaining opener". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023.
  17. ^ "Watch: Kadell Thomas equalizes with 1st-ever Forge goal". Canadian Premier League. April 27, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024.
  18. ^ "Highlights: Forge FC, York9 FC split points on opening day". Canadian Premier League. April 27, 2019. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023.
  19. ^ "Canada Soccer continues to provide expanded international opportunities with two spots on the path to Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League". Canada Soccer. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  20. ^ Veenstra, Michael (June 16, 2019). "Forge FC get turnaround win; Qualify for CONCACAF League". Last Word on Sports. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  21. ^ Spencer, Donna (June 11, 2019). "Cavalry beat Forge FC, face Vancouver Whitecaps in 3rd round of Canadian Championship". The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  22. ^ John Jacques (June 5, 2019). "Cavalry FC Players Accuse Forge FC Assistant Coach Of Making Racist Remarks". Northern Tribune.
  23. ^ Davidson, Neil (August 11, 2020). "Independent review clears Forge FC assistant coach of racism charge". MidlandToday.ca. Village Media. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  24. ^ Jacques, John (June 5, 2019). "In Forge and Cavalry Lies The League's Best Rivalry". Northern Tribune. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  25. ^ "Forge FC advances to CONCACAF League Round of 16 after win over Antigua". www.sportsnet.ca. Canadian Press. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  26. ^ Rhodes, Benedict. "Recap: Forge FC knocked out of CONCACAF League by C.D. Olimpia". Waking the Red. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  27. ^ "Preview: History to be made as Forge FC hosts Antigua GFC in SCL". CONCACAF. July 30, 2019. Archived from the original on May 12, 2024.
  28. ^ "Forge clinches Finals 2019 berth after Saturday's triple slate". Canadian Premier League. September 28, 2019. Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  29. ^ "Cavalry down Eddies to clinch Fall title with Al Classico triumph". CBC Sports. October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  30. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 2, 2019). "Highlights: Forge FC crowned CPL champions in win over Cavalry". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  31. ^ Molinaro, John (November 3, 2020). "Forge FC earns dramatic win in Panama to advance to Concacaf League quarter-finals". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Bedakian, Armen (April 4, 2019). "Forge director brought experienced hand to kit design process". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024.
  33. ^ "Forge FC advance to SF, qualify for Concacaf Champions League with resounding Leg 2 win vs. Santos". Forge FC. November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  34. ^ "Pacific FC crowned Canadian Premier League champions with 1-0 win vs. Forge". canpl.ca. December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  35. ^ "Forge become first CPL team to play in the Concacaf Champions League: How did they get here?". canpl.ca. February 14, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  36. ^ "RECAP: Forge FC fall 1-0 to Cruz Azul in first leg of Concacaf Champions League round of 16". canpl.ca. February 16, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  37. ^ "RECAP: Forge FC eliminated from Concacaf Champions League with 3-1 loss to Cruz Azul". canpl.ca. February 24, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  38. ^ Jacques, John (October 30, 2022). "Dynasty Win: Forge FC Claims Third North Star Shield". Northern Tribune. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  39. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (26 October 2022). "3 reasons why Forge FC will win the 2022 CPL Final". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  40. ^ Anderson, Kevin (August 9, 2022). "Forge FC Drop the Hammer On HFX Wanderers In 1-0 Victory". 13th Man Sports. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  41. ^ Naylor, Dave (January 2, 2022). "Tiger-Cats to announce new ownership structure". tsn.ca. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
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