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Canadian Premier League - Cavalry FC v Forge FC - Calgary, Alberta, Canada Oct, 15, 2022 Forge Attacker Woobens Pacius scores the tying goal in the second half. CFC Media Mike Sturk
Forge FC: Combatting complacency and securing the throne
April 5, 2023
by
Anthony Urciuoli
News

The goal for seven of the eight Canadian Premier League clubs is simple: unseat Forge FC as the reigning North Star Shield holders.

Simple, in theory; but in practice, de-throning the club that has won three of four league titles while dominating on both sides of the ball is a tall order. Especially considering Forge will boast a 2023 lineup that features 19 of the 23 players that hoisted the title in October. In fact, members of the club’s core leadership group, including Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, captain Kyle Bekker, Tristan Borges, Triston Henry, and Dominic Samuel, have been with Hamilton since the inaugural season in 2019 and were a part of all four CPL Final appearances.

“There’s always room for improvement. You know, that’s the biggest thing we have in our locker room and amongst our players,” Forge head coach and technical director Bobby Smyrniotis told 900 CHML’s Rick Zamperin this week. “The most important thing is, we’ve forged an identity in the way we play and the entertaining product we put on the field. I think that’s fantastic for all of our supporters and fans in Hamilton.”

Meanwhile, as Forge prepares to spend the next six months looking over its shoulder, the club will have more to contend with than just the opposition.

Complacency has a tendency to creep in once excellence has been achieved. It is human nature, after all. But when the target on your back is the size of the Golden Horseshoe, letting up for even a second is simply not an option — not when opponents are using matches against you as a measuring stick.

“I think that’s the toughest part,” explained Smyrniotis. “You know, we can work on tactics, we can work on making players better; but I think sometimes the biggest challenge, especially in modern sport, is keeping the players hungry for more.”

“I don’t think it’s a normal thing, in North American sport, to have teams winning multiple championships. We’ve been in the Final four times, winning three of them.”

“I think that’s what our biggest challenge is, going into the season; making sure we keep this group sharp; making sure we keep them hungry; making sure they know there’s a target on our back across the league,” he added.

This isn’t entirely new territory for Forge, which solidified itself early as a model organization in a brand-new league. But the rest of the clubs are catching up, thanks in large part to Forge’s earlier-than-anticipated success in Concacaf competition — enabling players and agents from across the globe to recognize Canada’s pro soccer league as a legitimate playing destination.

While all eight CPL clubs will be playing for the same domestic trophies, Forge also has its sights set on becoming a continental contender.

Starting this year, up to three clubs from Canada’s domestic soccer league could earn berths in North America’s top club competition, the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. One spot will go to the CPL champs, the other to the club with the most points at the conclusion of the regular season, and the third will be earned by winning the Canadian Championship — the in-season competition that features clubs from the CPL and the Canadian Major League Soccer clubs, as well as some semi-pro teams.

Make no mistake — Forge is preparing to play in a lot of soccer matches over the next year or so, and not all of those matches will be played in Canada.

“The (Concacaf Champions League) is everything that a high-level player looks for, whether it’s a Canadian or a foreign player, it’s a massive thing.” continued Smyrniotis. “Our extra motivation this year will be to make sure that we’re competing in the champion’s league in 2024.”

Forge fans can get a taste of what it’s like being a CPL champion next week. The club will be giving away commemorative medals to all in attendance at the Apr. 15 season and home opener against rivals Calvary FC at Tim Hortons Field.

The medals, which are made from the same materials, and are the same dimensions as those the players receive, feature the team’s logo on one side and the championship years on the other: 2019, 2020, and 2022. They will be handed out to fans as they enter the stadium.

Visit forgefc.canpl.ca/tickets or contact a representative at 905-527-3674 or tickets@forgefootball.club to secure your seat and your medal.