After earning nothing from a dominant display in their home opener on Wednesday night, Forge wasn’t willing to let Atlético Ottawa spoil the party again as the champs walked away 2-0 winners on Sunday afternoon at Tim Hortons Field.
Mo Babouli opened the scoring from the spot before Garven Metusala scored his first career CPL goal with a thumping back post header to double the home side’s advantage before halftime.
Down a pair of goals and a player — Viti Martinez would be cautioned twice in quick succession just before the break — Ottawa chased the game in the second half as Forge enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball, content to simply retain possession and see out the result.
Here are your sights and sounds Sunday in Hamilton.
Kyle Bekker raises the North Star Shield ahead of the match on Sunday at Tim Hortons Field (Forge FC Hamilton/Ryan McCullough/Brandon Taylor)Forge supporters lift homemade North Star Shields during championship banner-raising (Forge FC Hamilton/Ryan McCullough/Brandon Taylor)Mo Babouli celebrates his successful penalty kick at Tim Hortons Field (Forge FC Hamilton/Ryan McCullough/Brandon Taylor)
Forge’s Alexander Achinioti-Jonsson and Ottawa’s Ben McKendry battle for a loose ball at Tim Hortons Field (Forge FC Hamilton/Ryan McCullough/Brandon Taylor)
