Cameron Capobianco
For the fifth straight year, the defending North Star Shield winners, Forge FC look to return to the Canadian Premier League finals. However an old foe known as Calvary FC stands in their way in the first round.
Calvary ended the season with a 3-0 win over Pacific FC last Saturday and finished atop of the CPL table and lifted their first trophy in the clubs history, the inaugural Canadian Premier League Shield, which is awarded to the team that finishes first in the league.
Meanwhile for Forge, there coming off of a 1-0 loss to Atletico Ottawa last Saturday but still managed to secure second place. So, it seems that momentum is in the corner of Calvary heading into their matchup on Saturday.
Well, Forge seems to have their opponents number when it comes to the playoffs, Forge have beaten Calvary in five playoff matches including a 2-0 win on aggregate on in the inaugural CPL finals back in 2019 and last season, Forge won 3-2 on aggregate over Calvary and that saw them win the North Star Shield in the finals over Atletico Ottawa.
“It’s going to be another great game on Saturday with a lot of intensity and of course a lot on the line.” Forge FC goalkeeper Triston Henry said when asked about the matchup on Saturday. “Details really matter in a game like this. It’s the fine details that can see you onto the next round, onto the finals.”
“A lot of intensity, we rise to the occasion when we’re playing in big games” Triston said about what to expect from Forge. He added that “With what we’ve done in the past, I think that we will be ready for that big game on Saturday.” He added.
Forge FC not only look to reach the CPL finals for the fifth straight season, but are also looking to be the team that lifts the inaugural North Star Cup which is replacing the title that Forge won three times in the last four seasons, the North Star Shield.
The stakes are high in this first round matchup as the winner advances straight to the finals while the loser will play in a semi final match against either Pacific FC or the Halifax Wanderers.
Can Forge earn a spot in the CPL finals? We will find out Saturday at 5pm from Atco Field!