TORONTO – The 2019 Canadian Championships resumes on Tuesday night when Forge FC hosts Cavalry FC at Tim Hortons Field, the first of three all-CPL bouts that compose the second qualifying round of the Battle of the North. It will be a particularly intriguing match-up, given that the two sides are also battling at the top of the CPL standings, and that the Cavs have won every single match they've played this season, in all competitions. Having met once in league play in a 2-1 Cavalry win in Hamilton on May 12, the two are also familiar with one another. "It's about the details, the little things," stressed Forge defender Dominic Samuel, when asked how to beat an undefeated Cavalry side. "We have to make sure we don't fall into what the other team wants us to do. Those guys are very organized and they stay disciplined. "It's kind of a possession game to see who will make the other person fall asleep and make that mistake that will cost them." In tight matches, with two teams playing similar styles, Forge assistant coach Peter Reynders is alert to the dangers, telling CanPL.ca his team "can't make mistakes." "The way we want to play (is to play) good soccer, control the game, control the speed of the game," Reynders added. "OK, you can make mistakes and they punish these mistakes, that's also a quality. "They have a different way. We do it our way; we'll see who is the most successful." Those minor differences in similar play styles could be the difference in this two-legged tie, with Forge offering a little more of a direct look through their forward line. It's why Samuel figures his side can use Cavalry's own strengths against them. "They like to put a lot of people around the ball, and they're very disciplined in how they press, but that could also hurt them," Samuel suggested. "They put four or five guys around the ball, which leaves space and open pockets on the other side of the field. "If you can find that space with one or two passes, then you could exploit that other side, which would draw them out of position. Like they would do to other teams, we can capitalize on their mistakes." In their last meeting in May, Nik Ledgerwood put Cavalry ahead with an opening goal, but Tristan Borges equalized shortly thereafter, setting the table for a dramatic finale, when Nico Pasquotti netted the game-winner in the 95th minute. What led to that goal was one of the "details" that Samuel alluded to – keeping the opposition honest and the referee alert to shenanigans – as the late free-kick moved into a more advantageous position. "The foul was at the touch-line, ten-yards back," Samuel recalled. "But because it got placed ten yards forward, instead of a lofted ball, it was more of a driven, whipped in ball that got cleared out ... and we end up losing that game in the 95th minute. "The little details make a big difference." That was not the only bit of bad blood that emerged from that match, as Ledgerwood's goofy celebration did not sit well with Samuel. "You could ask anybody, if they come to your field and you see something like that, you're not too happy about it and you definitely want to do something about it so that he doesn't do it again," he offered. "I wasn't really a fan of that, for sure... I can tell you that much." Separated by two points in the standings, though Cavalry, on top, also have two games in hand, there could be league implications should Forge get the upper hand in the Voyageurs Cup. "You never know what happens," said Reynders. "If we can beat them, maybe they get a little knock (to their confidence). "Then we can see what happens." Added Samuel: "They're on their high horse, they go in, they think, 'This is our game, we're going to win this because we've won every other game.' "But if we put it to them, then I'm sure psychologically things would change for them." Throw in that the winner of the series will face Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the stakes are raised even higher. Just one of the rewards a cup competition can bring. Forge are up for that challenge, though they know Cavalry stands in their way. "The opportunity to do that, to show, not only ourselves, our fans, but the entire country that teams in the CPL can do well and match up against teams in MLS," Samuel relished.. "If we do well and get that opportunity, we would love that. "That's why we're buzzing around the field this week, trying to get things done, stay sharp, pay attention to those details and get the revenge we deserve."

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