Forge FC has a chance to make Canadian Premier League history on Friday night when they host Pacific FC at Hamilton Stadium to kick off the second half of their respective seasons.
The Hammers are unbeaten in their first 14 league matches of the year, and with a win or draw on Friday would break their own CPL record for the longest unbeaten streak -- besting 14 unbeaten during the inaugural 2019 CPL campaign. The current squad already holds the record for longest unbeaten streak to begin the season as well, and can extend that too with a result.
Standing between them and history is a Pacific FC side coming off a much-needed victory last weekend against the Halifax Wanderers. A 3-2 win at home for the Tridents, powered by a hat trick from Yann Toualy, was their first victory since beating York United on May 10, and they will be eager to build on that result as they look to chase down the Nine Stripes for fifth in the table and a spot in the playoffs.
Friday night's clash will be the third meeting of the season between these sides but the first at Hamilton Stadium. Forge won 2-0 on April 12 at Starlight Stadium before winning 1-0 in their second visit on May 24 thanks to an 89th-minute strike from breakout star Hoce Massunda.
Forge had a chance to jump into first place when they visited Atlético Ottawa last weekend, and had a 1-0 advantage over the league leaders as the final whistle approached thanks to an early goal from Kyle Bekker, but in the end they had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Ballou Tabla scored from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Ottawa will be in action at the same time as Forge on Friday night, at home against Halifax, so the Hammers could find themselves in first place by the end of the night with a win and an Ottawa draw or loss.
The hosts will be without Khadim Kane after he suffered an injury in Ottawa, while Alessandro Hojabrpour will also miss out as he nears a return to full training. Pacific, meanwhile, are missing Daniel de Pauli again as the Brazilian midfielder continues to struggle with injuries in his debut CPL campaign.
3 THINGS TO WATCH
-
Forge looking to set CPL record for longest unbeaten streak: Forge FC are 90 minutes from making more history as a club, as a win or draw against Pacific would see them break the CPL record for the longest CPL unbeaten streak. Currently they sit tied with 2019 Forge FC on 14 games unbeaten, and can become the first to reach 15 against a Pacific side who have been underperforming so far this season and sit below the playoff line. Both head coach Bobby Smyrniotis and left back Ben Paton said on Thursday that they will not be underestimating anyone, and that they are treating it as any other match. Ultimately, it is the 15th game of their regular season and not their target of another CPL Final, but breaking a longstanding record like this will certainly be a statement of their intent to get back to the CPL summit once again.
-
Can Yann Toualy continue recent goalscoring form?: After going a few weeks without scoring, Pacific FC has found the back of the seven times in their last two matches -- a 4-4 draw with Vancouver FC and a 3-2 win over the Halifax Wanderers. Four of those seven were scored by Yann Toualy, who is the reigning CPL Player of the Week after providing a hat trick against the Wanderers. Toualy, in his first professional season after making the jump from Ligue1 Quebec's CS St-Laurent, has continued to grow in confidence as his role in the team has been built up by James Merriman, and if he can consistently be a threat in front of goal and setting up his teammates, he will be crucial to the Tridents' push for a playoff spot in the second half of the season.
-
Hammers have an opportunity to climb into top spot: With a bit of help from the Halifax Wanderers, Forge FC could end matchweek 15 at the top of the Canadian Premier League table. The Hammers are currently one point back of Atlético Ottawa, who host the Wanderers at the exact same time as Forge hosting Pacific. A win by Forge and a loss or draw by Ottawa would see that happen -- and Ottawa has not beaten Halifax in their two previous meetings this season. A loss for Ottawa and a draw for Forge would see the Hamiltonians tie the league leaders on 29 points, but Ottawa would remain in first place on the first tiebreaker, which is wins.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Forge FC: Koleilat; Rama, Nimick, Owolabi-Belewu, Paton; Choinière, Jensen, Achinioti-Jönsson, Bekker, Ampomah; Wright
Pacific FC: Melvin; Machado, Ndom, Lajeunesse; Chung, Young, Browning Lagerfeldt, Mukumbilwa; Bustos, Zanatta, Toualy
ALL-TIME SERIES
Forge wins: 16 || Pacific wins: 5 || Draws: 3
Last meeting:
May 24, 2025 — Pacific FC 0-1 Forge FC
KEY QUOTES
"Last week we had a busy one compared to most teams with three games because we had that extra game with Vancouver going back a couple of weekends ago, so it's always good to get back and just get into a routine of training. I don't think they enjoy training all week, they love playing games, so I think that they're ready for tomorrow, a little bit different Friday night match at home at night — I think it's something that the players always look forward to, especially with the heat we've been having the last few weeks*."* -- Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis
"We know what they're chasing in this game, but we're here, and we're here to play the game, we're here to be on the front foot and continue to be positive in the way that we're playing football and the way we're attacking the second half of the season. It makes for an exciting game I think for tomorrow night." -- Pacific FC head coach James Merriman