Forge FC have already been through one MLS team in this year's Canadian Championship. Can they do it again to reach the final?
The Hamilton club face their toughest test yet on the road to the Voyageurs' Cup, as continental heavyweights Vancouver Whitecaps come to town to kick off the semi-final.
Forge have lost at this stage of the tournament in the past three campaigns; last year, just one away goal eliminated them against Toronto FC. This time, after beating CF Montréal in the quarter-finals, they're desperate to go one step further and take down another MLS foe.
However, the Whitecaps pose a much more formidable threat. They currently occupy second place in MLS's Western Conference, with a 13-6-6 record. Earlier this year, they turned heads with a remarkable run in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they went all the way to the final — knocking out Mexican foes Monterrey and Pumas, as well as Inter Miami, in the process.
They've also won three consecutive Canadian Championships, and are therefore aiming for just the second four-peat in tournament history. Plus, the Whitecaps know that winning the Voyageurs' Cup also comes with a spot in next year's Concacaf Champions Cup, where they would very much like to return.
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Vancouver don't quite have a full bill of health at the moment; Canadian internationals Ali Ahmed and Sam Adekugbe remain out, as does star midfielder Ryan Gauld.
There's also considerable off-field discussion around this Whitecaps this week that could prove distracting. After the club officially signed German legend Thomas Müller last week, the former Bayern Munich star is set to arrive in Vancouver on Wednesday, with an introductory press conference on Thursday. Müller therefore won't be available against Forge, but it's reasonably likely he appears in the second leg in September — which puts more pressure on the CPL side to take a lead in Leg 1.
That's easier said than done, but there's probably no CPL side better suited to the opportunity than Forge. The current league leaders are on a 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions and have won their last four. Plus, they've looked strong in their previous ventures in this Canadian Championship.
Forge beat the Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in the preliminary round, which set up a quarter-final against CF Montréal. For the second year in a row, the CPL side won over two legs. This time, goals from Tristan Borges and Kyle Bekker late in the second leg pushed Forge over the edge to eliminate Montréal.
The Whitecaps, meanwhile, got a bye past the preliminary round as defending champions, and took on CPL side Valour FC in the quarters. They were seriously tested by the Winnipeg club, settling for a 2-2 draw in Leg 1 before a 90th-minute winner in Leg 2 carried them into the semis.
Vancouver have a generally good record against CPL teams in the Canadian Championship (9-2-3 overall), but they have been eliminated by CPL opposition twice: by Cavalry in 2019 and Pacific in 2021.
This edition of the Whitecaps is more dangerous than ever, though. From in-form striker Brian White to perennial Concacaf hero Sebastian Berhalter to Canadian international Jayden Nelson, they have plenty of stars who can make the difference in this tie.
Forge, though, have their own cast of stars; Bekker and Borges are the traditional marquee names and have already made an impact in this year's tournament. Nana Ampomah, meanwhile, has been in sizzling form lately in Forge's attack and should start on Wednesday.
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Crucially for the Hammers, midfielder Alessandro Hojabrpour finally returned to the starting lineup this past Saturday after several weeks out with injury. He dictates a lot of Forge's possession play with his vision and passing range at the base of midfield, so having him back in the XI will give Bobby Smyrniotis' side a boost.
Wednesday night will be just one half of the full semi-final tie, with Leg 2 not scheduled until Sept. 16. However, this opening tie will set the tone for the return fixture.
So, will the Whitecaps continue their march to a fourth straight title? Or can Forge climb the mountain, and take another step to being the first CPL team to lift the Voyageurs' Cup?
It begins Wednesday night, live on OneSoccer.
Canadian Championship History
Last meeting: None
Forge FC:
All-time record: 9W-3D-6L
Best finish: Runners-up (2020) -- Lost 1-1 (4-5 on pens.) to Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps:
All-time record: 27W-15D-15L
Best finish: Champions (2015, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Key Quotes
“We have to do what Forge does well. We need to try and dictate the tempo of the game, both on and off the ball, because there are approaches to do it in both ways, and make sure we're our good selves with quite a bit of energy. That's the team we've been over the last few weeks.” – Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis
"We're just excited. It's going to be a big challenge; Vancouver's a very good team, they've had a good season, and they obviously care about this competition. They've had a ton of success over the years." – Forge FC midfielder Kyle Bekker
“It’s a team that will play with a lot of passion and like it’s the biggest game for them so far this season. They’ve done very well to get here, beating Montreal over two games, so it shows the quality they have. Being unbeaten for 21 games, no matter what league you play in, no matter where you play, is not easy to do. It’s a big game for them and a big test for us as well.” – Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen
“I know a little bit about Forge, and they’re a good team. ... They’re a team that wants to play, they’re a good team; they’ve been together for a while. They’re probably the best team in the CPL, so it’s not going to be an easy game, especially being away." – Vancouver Whitecaps forward Jayden Nelson
