“There’s real quality there; it’s not just a fierce battle.” It doesn’t get better than the CPL season opening with Cavalry vs. Forge.
Regular partner. Familiar rhythm. New dance. We’ve been here before, many times, but like stepping into a river, it’s never quite the same twice. Forge FC vs. Cavalry FC: the Canadian Premier League’s version of all-season radials. Just five months ago, they were closing out 2024 in Calgary, and now they’re ushering in 2025 in Hamilton. Saturday marks Opening Day at Hamilton Stadium as the CPL makes its TSN debut, featuring the first-time playoff champions, Cavalry, against the team they defeated 2-1 in last year’s final—regular-season winners Forge, who have won four league championships. It will be the 33rd time these two CPL standard-bearers meet across all competitions, with Forge holding a 14-10 edge in wins, along with eight draws. Hamilton has made more changes to its projected starting XI than Calgary, which could potentially field 10 of the 11 men who started the 2024 final. However, the Hammers still have many returning veterans, several of whom have won multiple titles with the team. > New Faces, Same Standard: Forge FC Kicks Off Season with Eyes on Another Title Run “You can start the same lineup, but you know it’s a different game with that five-to-six-month gap between matches,” Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon says. “I don’t think any season will mirror the previous one. I’m sure Forge has had a different pre-season than we have; they’ve made new additions.” And Cavalry made a big one themselves with Thursday’s announcement that they’ve signed 24-year-old midfielder Michael Baldisimo, who has played 59 MLS games with Vancouver and San Jose. His arrival should help mitigate the losses of midfielder Charlie Trafford, who retired, and standout central defender Daan Klomp, who earned a contract in Belgium’s second division. Forge, as always, kept pace—to say the least—by adding proven talent while exposing younger players to high-intensity soccer during the winter Champions Cup games. With strikers Terran Campbell and Jordan Hamilton moving on, Daniel Parra returning to Mexico, and longtime defenders Dom Samuel, Malcolm Duncan, and Garven Metusala departing, Forge countered by signing dynamic striker Brian Wright, playmaker Mo Babouli from York United, versatile central defender Dan Nimick from HFX Wanderers, and Serbian fullback Marko Jevremović from the Greek Premier League, while also bringing back former Forge defender Rezart Rama. “Our principles remain the same,” Forge FC Head Coach and Sporting Director Bobby Smyrniotis points out. “But we also try to treat each season individually, with players bringing something new to the table. We had a fantastic season last year, but I thought at times we were a little too patient off the ball. We want to be more aggressive as a team—maybe something we had in the past. That’s something we’ve worked on and will gradually integrate into our play.” Still, it’s Cavalry vs. Forge. The more things change, the more they stay the same. This rivalry transcends individual rosters, largely because Smyrniotis and Wheeldon remain the only two head coaches in the league since the CPL’s inception. TSN acknowledges the weight of these two franchises by featuring at least one of them in all five of its April telecasts. “Reputations are built on the body of work you do,” Wheeldon says. “And it’s a credit to Bobby and, I guess, myself. Before this league existed, we were both dedicated to developing Canadian soccer players. With a professional league in place, we’re seeing the results of our philosophies. “The fact that we’re involved in these big games showcases the league well. That’s why we’re competing in Concacaf against clubs with longer histories and bigger budgets—and holding our own. If we can bring other CPL teams along with us, a rising tide lifts all boats.” Cavalry struggled to gain traction in the standings early last season, drawing eight of their first 11 games. But as they got healthier, they found their rhythm and stopped hitting the woodwork. They rode a Golden Boot season from the electrifying Tobias Warschewski, who scored five goals in the final three league games and netted in each of the postseason victories over Forge. He also struck the winner when Cavalry became the first CPL team to win a Concacaf Cup match, defeating Mexico’s Pumas 2-1. Warschewski will be supported by Ali Mussi, Sergio Camargo, and the emerging Jay Herdman. “They have a lot of returning players,” says Forge defender Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson. “Obviously, losing Klomp is a big blow to their back line; he was a great player for them. It will be interesting to see how they fill that gap. But beyond that, we know what to expect from them—their strengths, their talent. There’s a sense of familiarity.” Smyrniotis adds: “They’ve added complementary pieces, but for the most part, they remain similar. We’re five or six months removed from our last match, and each club has worked on different areas. These opening games are about focusing on ourselves—executing our strategies on and off the ball—rather than worrying too much about our opponents.” While every player and coach acknowledges that this is just one of 28 matches, Smyrniotis has clear objectives beyond securing three points. He wants his team to showcase all their best qualities, including a more versatile attack led by the eagle-eyed Nimick, ensuring multiple entry points into scoring positions. And, of course, there’s the emphasis on playing entertaining soccer—a hallmark of Forge under Smyrniotis—which not only enhances the CPL’s brand but also energizes home crowds, creating a tangible competitive advantage. Despite losing to Cavalry in last year’s 1 vs. 2 playoff game at home, Forge set a franchise record for home points with an 11-2-1 record in the east end—just one point shy of Cavalry’s all-time CPL home record. However, with the playoff defeat and a Champions Cup loss to Monterrey at Hamilton Stadium, the Hammers are eager to reestablish their home dominance. “We know how important that was to us last season,” Smyrniotis says. “And this is the start. We’ve worked very well in pre-season, done a lot of good things, and the players are excited to get back on the field.”
While the broad picture remains unchanged—until proven otherwise, these two are still the class of the league—both Cavalry and Forge have evolved. Cavalry has broken through with playoff and international success, adding to their confidence, while Wheeldon is pleased with his mix of core veterans and a promising group of U-21 players pushing for opportunities. “These are all new moments, new history,” Wheeldon says. “We’re still a young club in a growing league, and every year we mature a little more. We’re becoming savvier in key games; we’re gaining crucial experience in Concacaf and playoffs. That makes us stronger when it matters most.” And that’s exactly what Saturday is—a meaningful game, even with months of league play ahead. Wheeldon relishes the challenge of facing Forge, appreciating their roster moves, particularly the acquisitions of Wright, Babouli, and Nimick.
“I think they’ll be contenders again; they have the talent and the pedigree,” he says. “This rivalry has been forged through history and competition. But beyond the fierce battles, there’s real quality. It’s not just about taking lumps—it’s about playing football, breaking down tactics, and evolving the game.”