Forge FC remained the top side in the Canadian Premier League on Saturday, as they defeated fellow title contenders Cavalry FC 2-1 at Tim Hortons Field in the fourth and final meeting between the sides of the 2024 regular season.
Both teams sought to put their best foot forward for this massive title race clash, although each manager was forced into a handful of lineup changes. Forge moved Béni Badibanga into the middle of the attacking line, while Noah Jensen retained his place in midfield after last week’s two-goal performance. Usual captain Kyle Bekker remained out of the starting XI, although he did make the bench. For Cavalry, meanwhile, Bradley Kamdem and Fraser Aird were wingbacks in a back five, while Nicolas Wähling led the line in a pairing with Ali Musse.
The match got off to a spirited start with some end-to-end play, and the hosts cracked open the scoring early. Badibanga made an immediate impact in his new role as he took a pass at the top of the box with his back to goal and tapped it between his own legs into the path of Tristan Borges, who buried a well-placed shot with his left foot into the far corner.
With the early goal — his seventh of the season and his 33rd in his Forge career — Borges became his club’s all-time leading goalscorer across all competitions.
After the early fireworks, though, the first half settled down considerably. Cavalry held their 3-5-2 shape well, and commanded more possession, but Forge did threaten more in transition. Cavalry’s best chance came when Aird volleyed a shot from near the six-yard box midway through the half, but Jassem Koleilat made an outstanding reflex save to keep his team in front.
The second half had a similar pace to the first, and 10 minutes into the frame Forge found a way to double their lead. Noah Jensen sent in a cross from the edge of the box that struck Kamdem’s hand on the way through, prompting the referee to award a penalty kick.
Borges took the spot kick, smashing it coolly to his left for his second of the game.
Less than five minutes later though, Cavalry found their way back into the match. In the fray after a free kick near Forge’s penalty area, Tristan Borges caught Sergio Camargo in a challenge in the box. Camargo went down from the contact, and the referee awarded a penalty to the Cavs.
Aird was the one to take the penalty for Cavalry, but Koleilat made an excellent save diving to his left — but only parried it as far as Daan Klomp, who finished well to make it 2-1.
The Cavs adjusted their shape after scoring, putting Lowell Wright on to play a more traditional striker position and shifting to a back four as they sought an equalizer.
Cavalry definitely found more frequent opportunities after the change, and were the clear aggressors in the final 15 minutes of the game as Forge looked to defend their lead.
They were not able to find a second goal though, left disappointed and — for the second time this year — heading home from Tim Hortons Field empty-handed.
With the 2-1 win, Forge ensured they’ll stay atop the league for another two weeks at least, widening the gap between them and second place to five points. Cavalry, meanwhile, remained in fourth, now seven points back of the top.
BOX SCORE
Lineups
Forge FC: Koleilat; Duncan, Achinioti-Jönsson, Owolabi-Belewu, Parra; Cissé (Bekker 74′), Hojabrpour, Jensen; Choinière (Schiavoni 90+3′), Badibanga (Hamilton 90+3′), Borges (Samuel 88′)
Cavalry FC: Carducci; Aird, Montgomery (Harms 74′), Klomp, Field, Kamdem (Wright 65′); Shome, Gutiérrez (Daley 74′), Camargo; Musse, Wähling
Goals
7′ — Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
57′ — Tristan Borges (Forge FC) (Penalty)
64′ — Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
Discipline
45+1′ — Yellow: Malik Owolabi-Belewu (Forge FC)
56′ — Yellow: Bradley Kamdem (Cavalry FC)
56′ — Yellow: Diego Gutiérrez (Cavalry FC)
62′ — Yellow: Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
75′ — Yellow: Tom Field (Cavalry FC)
90+5′ — Yellow: Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)