2021 CPL regular season — Match #38 Forge FC vs. York United August 3, 2021 at 7 pm ET Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Ontario Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca // Tickets available here
Forge FC and York United will lock horns again in the 905 Derby Wednesday, this time with Hamilton playing hosts at Tim Hortons Field for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Bobby Smyrniotis’ side snagged all three points in their all-Ontario tilt on Friday thanks to an early Mo Babouli goal. It was the club’s first points after returning to home markets post-Winnipeg bubble and gave traveling supporters much to smile over in highly-anticipated sell-out at York Lions Stadium. A good crowd is expected at Tim Hortons Field, too, as we’ve seen in every CPL market so far, as the two-time defending champs return home for the first time. Celebrations, including the raising of both 2019 and 2020 championships, are slated for Sunday vs. Atlético Ottawa as Wednesday’s tilt is a rescheduled date initially set for Forge’s Concacaf League tie with El Salvador side C.D. FAS. York coach Jimmy Brennan attributed his team’s slow start, and goal conceded, against Forge on Friday to the crowd. Smyrniotis clearly dismissed such complaints of supporter turnout and added jitters Wednesday, adding: "I don’t care if we’re playing here or in El Salvador with 40,000 fans, I love spectators, I love fans there. Whether they’re with us or without us, that’s the heartbeat of football. It’s the energy of the sport and it brings more to the game." While Nine Stripes supporters would prefer to see a full-strength side attempt to exact revenge on their 905 rivals, it will be a battered group that will take the field Wednesday. York will be without Diyaeddine Abzi after he earned a fourth yellow card, rather innocently, after sending the ball back to Forge ‘keeper Triston Henry after a stoppage in play. They will have Dominick Zator available after the club successfully appealed the red card suspension he was given at the weekend. Five points split the two sides in the CanPL standings, with Forge FC third on 15 pts (5-0-4) and York second from the bottom on nine pts (2-3-4) from nine matches.
Make your match picks prior to kickoff at canpl.ca/predictor for a chance to win prizes, including the grand prize of a trip to the 2021 CPL Final!
3 THINGS TO WATCH:
- New turf at Tim Hortons Field
- Forge healing, but keeping cards close to chest
- Costly giveaways in midfield
ALL-TIME SERIES
Forge FC wins: 4|| York United wins: 2 || Draws: 1
Previous match:
July 30, 2021 — Forge FC 1-0 York United
KEY QUOTES
"There’s a good energy about the place and they seem to be a little bit happier now that they are sleeping in their own bed. There's a good feeling around the lads right now that should come out on Wednesday." York United coach Jimmy Brennan
"Every game, every training session you play you try to get closer with your teammates – when it comes to [Tristan] Borges, we chatted last game that it was the first one we could really play together in. It was a nice feeling because we worked quite well together – something we hope to do Wednesday. " Paolo Sabak, Forge FC
Forge FC wins: 4|| York United wins: 2 || Draws: 1
Previous match:
July 30, 2021 — Forge FC 1-0 York United
KEY QUOTES
"There’s a good energy about the place and they seem to be a little bit happier now that they are sleeping in their own bed. There's a good feeling around the lads right now that should come out on Wednesday." York United coach Jimmy Brennan
"Every game, every training session you play you try to get closer with your teammates – when it comes to [Tristan] Borges, we chatted last game that it was the first one we could really play together in. It was a nice feeling because we worked quite well together – something we hope to do Wednesday. " Paolo Sabak, Forge FC
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