On Sunday afternoon in Hamilton, undefeated Forge FC host 905 derby rivals York United, who will be desperate to be the first team to claim a victory against the defending regular season winners.
York are coming off a 0-0 draw at home with league leaders Atlético Ottawa this past weekend, the first time they have been held scoreless all season in 14 matches in all competitions.
For Forge, it was the opposite end of the spectrum, as a first-half Brian Wright hat-trick ignited a 5-0 win over Valour FC in Winnipeg. It was the biggest win in club history, and a welcome boost of confidence for not only their attack but their new #9.
Wright doubled his tally for goals on the season in CPL action, and will come into Sunday's match with plenty of momentum. Wright has actually scored against his former side York four times in his past five matches against the club, dating back to his time with Atlético Ottawa in 2022, and earlier this year with Forge.
The first meeting between the two clubs this season ended in a 2-2 draw at York Lions Stadium, with all four of those goals scored during a chaotic first 33 minutes.
Forge have now gone eight games unbeaten against the Nine Stripes, by far the longest either club has gone without a loss to the other in the history of this rivalry.
In fact, nobody has been beating Forge lately, and after setting a CPL record for most consecutive games to start a season undefeated, with 11 matches, they now set their sights on their longest undefeated regular season run ever, which was 14 consecutive CPL matches between July 13 and October 6, 2019.
The all-time record for consecutive matches unbeaten in all competitions by a CPL club is 17 games, set by Forge during that very same stretch. They currently sit at 13, when including their pair of Canadian Championship victories.
Forge have also kept four clean sheets, and allowed just two goals, in their past six matches, allowing a league-low seven goals against in 11 CPL matches this season.
York, however, know they are capable of a bit of an upset, as the only team in the bottom four teams currently in the CPL standings. As it stands, the Nine Stripes sit in the fifth and final playoff position through 12 matches, but have opened up a nice six-point cushion on Pacific FC in sixth.
Despite missing some key players like goalkeeper Diego Urtiaga and captain Elijah Adekugbe through injury, as well as Steffen Yeates who has been with Trinidad and Tobago at the Concacaf Gold Cup, York have found some strong performances from those who have stepped up in their absence.
Will the hunt for history continue in Hamilton? Or can York end Forge's undefeated run and make a big statement of intent to the rest of the league?
3 THINGS TO WATCH
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Forge looking to continue offensive momentum: Coming off a historic five-goal performance against Valour this past weekend, it felt like a Forge attack that had been a little bit frustrated at times this season finally found a much-needed offensive outburst. Now, they look to build on that performance, knowing that putting another five past York this weekend probably isn't likely, but repeating many of the same elements that led to that performance will continue their success in attack. "Just being a little bit quicker in the final third with the first time we get into the opponent's area or get into the final third," said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis. "If you can finish that first motion in 5-10 seconds, it's gonna give you a better chance to score goals."
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York United hoping to close in on top four: With Atlético Ottawa and Cavalry FC meeting on Saturday in Calgary, York come into this weekend knowing a win would mean they make up ground on at least two of the league's current top four teams, heading into a bye week. At the moment, they sit rather comfortably mid-table in the league, seven points behind the fourth-place Halifax Wanderers, but six ahead of sixth-place Pacific FC. Three points on Sunday, and they can narrow the gap above them, while potentially increasing the one on the teams below them.
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Forge have tough decisions to make with injured players returning: With the way Forge have been playing this season so far, it is easy to forget they have spent much of their recent matches without key players like Noah Jensen, Tristan Borges and David Choinière. Despite those absences, those who have stepped into those positions have thrived, particularly 20-year-old Hoce Massunda and Nana Ampomah on the wings. With those aforementioned players all working their way back to fitness and into the lineup now, roster spots have become as competitive as ever, and there will be some difficult decisions ahead for Smyrniotis and his staff. "Now we've got a group of players that are competing in training, and that's the best way to prepare for every match on the weekend, is to have all your guys fit," said Smyrniotis.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Forge FC: Koleilat; Rama, Owolabi-Belewu, Nimick, Jevremović; Hojabrpour, Achinioti-Jönsson, Bekker; Ampomah, Babouli, Wright
York United: Pavela; Singh, Sturing, León; Ferrazzo, Accettola, Kibato, Botello; Bitar, Ferrin, Altobelli
ALL-TIME SERIES
Forge FC wins: 16 || York United wins: 4 || Draws: 7
Last meeting:
April 27, 2025 — York United 2-2 Forge FC
KEY QUOTES
"I think one thing we've done a very good job of this year is just defending better as a unit. That's the challenge I've given the guys, and it's a challenge that will need to be very good this coming Sunday, as York gets forward with a lot of numbers." -- Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis
"Last game we played them, I think we realized that, and I mean you've been seeing it across their games, I think York United have a talented front line. Altobelli's one to watch. They've obviously got Shola Jimoh, young and electric guy. They got Massimo Ferrin as well, and more experienced guys in that front line in the CPL. They've got a bunch of guys in their toolbox that could do something special." -- Forge FC goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat
"I think a lot of [our] players, even though we haven't even reached halfway through the season, a lot of players have either played more minutes than they have in the past, either they've scored more, they've assisted more, they've started more games. So there's a lot of players that are in a very good position. There's a lot of players who have been playing the most consistent of their career." -- York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio
"We're able to close out games and keep clean sheets. I think it's all positive right now for our group, and we're really just, we're at a good moment right now. So we're ready for Sunday, for sure." -- York United midfielder Kembo Kibato
