When Forge FC take to the pitch in April for the Canadian Premier League season, don't expect them to look like they did in February.
Although their 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup run came to a disappointing end in Mexico on Tuesday, the Hammers showed signs of growth in their fourth crack at the competition.
Head coach Bobby Smyrniotis met with the media at Estadio Universitario after Forge lost 4-1 to Tigres UANL in Leg 2 of their first-round tie. He told reporters that he'd been happy with his team's first half and their ability to limit open-play chances, but that conceding on a set-piece was frustrating.
In the second half, when Forge scored with 10 minutes left to give themselves a chance then conceded instantly on the counter, Smyrniotis was likewise displeased.
"When you get yourself back into the game at 2-1, you can't give up a goal 60 seconds later," he said. "Some things are just difficult, especially against as quality a team as Tigres."
He added, however, that on the whole he thought the opposing side — one of the strongest in Mexico, with abundant international experience — had been challenged.
Forge have played top Mexican sides in all four of their Champions Cup appearances over the past five years. They have yet to win a matchup, but after a 0-0 draw in Leg 1 against Tigres, they put themselves on the map more than ever.
"We have a lot of respect for them as a team, and I think they showed us a lot of respect too in how they played and the effort the put into the match," Smyrniotis said.
The Hammers' coach pointed out in his postmatch remarks that his side had shown some serious flexibility in the way they approached these matches against Tigres.
While in previous Concacaf forays they have tried to stick to their usual style of play and go blow-for-blow with the opposition, they were more pragmatic this time around.
"If you know Forge, they usually don't play the style of football we've seen in the last two games, which is a bit of low block football, defensive football," he said. "We're a team that in most games likes to dominate the game through possession, but sometimes you have to think a little bit differently in these matches.
"It's not an easy thing to do, to take a team that's possession dominant, that's attacking dominant, that wants to create a lot of chances, and have them play differently. You have to be tactically flexible in modern football, so I think that's the biggest thing we take from this period."
Smyrniotis is unlikely to instruct his team to play in a low block, or with a flat back five, on many occasions in the CPL. However, the fact that his team was able to execute such a plan when asked is a positive sign for the club's tactical ability.
Although not one for excuses, Smyrniotis did remind reporters of the difference in resources between his club and Tigres. The fact that this tie remained so close until the final 10 minutes of the 180 was a testament to Forge's resilience, considering the Mexican side's much, much larger payroll and budget.
He jokingly referred to Tigres striker Rodrigo Aguirre, who joined the club from rivals Club América just a few days ago and made his debut on Tuesday, scoring the first two goals.
"We can't, between Leg 1 and Leg 2, spend $5 million to get a new striker," Smyrniotis said. "We don't have that luxury, so when we're missing some key starters or key players it makes us play a little bit different."
Forge have been without Ghanaian winger Nana Ampomah for these two Concacaf matches, due to visa issues.
OPL standout Aromatario impresses in first pro start
One positive story from Forge's Concacaf run is the emergence of Anthony Aromatario. The 22-year-old has been training with Forge this winter and signed a short-term replacement contract before Leg 1, but didn't seem a likely candidate to play a major role.
Aromatario was a star in the Ontario Premier League (formerly League1 Ontario) for the Woodbridge Strikers in 2025, earning the league's MVP honours en route to winning a title.
Now, he has clearly done enough to impress Smyrniotis and his staff. Aromatario played the final half hour of last week's first leg, and got the start in midfield alongside Kyle Bekker for Leg 2.
"You look at quality of players, characteristics, what's needed in a team or within the game, and Anthony's been excellent coming in," Smyrniotis said.
"It's a big stage to step into, but he had the characteristics. We needed a midfielder who can win the ball, who could be a little bit more robust as a six next to Bekker, and he has the characteristics. Sometimes you just have to throw them in the fire and see how it goes, and I think it's gone pretty well for him over these first two legs."
Aromatario made a team-high five tackles on Tuesday and won nine out of 10 duels, completing 21 of 28 attempted passes while playing the full 90 minutes.
He will now aim for a full contract with Forge to remain with the club when the CPL season starts in April.
