It’s been three months since Noah Jensen made his debut for Forge FC in the club’s Concacaf Champions League match against Cruz Azul in Mexico. It hasn’t taken long for the 22-year-old Canadian to develop into a key cog in Forge’s midfield.
Jensen scored his first Canadian Premier League goal on Saturday, and it was a timely second-half equalizer from nearly 30 yards out.
“That’s definitely one of the things I’ve tried to transfer over to the professional level — the production. It’s something our team needs from its attacking players,” Jensen said after Forge’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Ottawa. “It’s something I’ve done in the past and it’s something I hope to continue with Forge.”
first professional goal ✅
couldn't have shot a more stunning goal as the first @Noah_Jensen10 🤩 #ForgeFC | #CanPL pic.twitter.com/V4rBnKeyjD
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) May 15, 2022
Jensen played five seasons of NCAA soccer with the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, scoring 17 goals. In 2021, he led all players in the nation with 14 assists and was named the Horizon League tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Before that, Jensen played under Forge head coach and technical director Bobby Smyrniotis at Sigma FC. Jensen admits that the pro-level presents new challenges with its tactical demand and physicality.
“I will say that the tactical and physical demand is there (in the pros),” he said. “But it’s one of those things that makes us better as a team. I think it’s one of the things that makes Forge a special club to be a part of because every day you’re pushing yourself to the limit, whether it’s in training or in a game.”
The physical and mental tools are there for Jensen. His work ethic and leadership led to his being named captain at Oakland after just his second season. Jensen was also named to the All-Academic team in college.
“He’s an excellent player,” Smyrniotis said of Jensen. “He works hard in training, he does all the right things, and (against Ottawa) he was given an opportunity. Beyond the goal, I thought he was excellent at moving the ball and being progressive with his passing. He scored a great goal and he just needs to keep his head down and keep working.”
Jensen can only benefit from sharing the midfield with established pros like Kyle Bekker, Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, and Allesandro Hojabrpour.
Forge FC travels to Halifax this week for a 6 p.m. match against HFX Wanderers FC on Friday. Forge’s next home match at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton is June 4 against Toronto FC in the postponed 2020 Canadian Championship.