2023 Canadian Premier League final
Event2023 Canadian Premier League season
Forge FC Cavalry FC
2 1
DateOctober 28, 2023
VenueTim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Ontario
Man of the MatchBéni Badibanga (Forge FC)
RefereeMarie-Soleil Beaudoin
Attendance13,925
WeatherMostly cloudy
9 °C (48 °F)
62% humidity[1]

The 2023 Canadian Premier League final was the soccer match to determine the winner of the 2023 Canadian Premier League season. It was played October 28, 2023, in Hamilton, Ontario, between Forge FC and Cavalry FC. The match was the fifth edition of the CPL Finals, the post-season championship of the Canadian Premier League, the top level of Canadian soccer. Forge were the defending champions, having won the 2022 Canadian Premier League final.

Forge defeated Cavalry 2–1 in extra time to capture their fourth title. Cavalry opened the scoring in the 101st minute from a curling strike by Ali Musse before Forge's Béni Badibanga quickly scored an equalizer. Tristan Borges then scored a goal directly from a corner for Forge in the 111th minute that held up as the match winner to secure the championship.

Path to the final

The 2023 CPL season was contested by eight teams. Each team played four games against each of the seven opponents for a total of 28 matches.[2] The top-five teams from the regular season qualified for the playoffs which began on October 11, 2023. The playoffs featured a new Page playoff format where teams entered in different rounds depending on their finishing position. All matches in the playoffs were played as a single leg.

Regular season standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Playoff qualification
1 Cavalry (S) 28 16 7 5 46 27 +19 55 First semifinal
2 Forge (C) 28 11 9 8 39 32 +7 42[lower-alpha 1]
3 HFX Wanderers 28 11 9 8 39 32 +7 42[lower-alpha 1] Quarterfinal
4 Pacific 28 11 7 10 42 35 +7 40 Play-in round
5 York United 28 11 5 12 35 44 −9 38
Source: CanPL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Total wins; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goal differential; 6) Away goals scored; 7) Home goal differential; 8) Home goals scored; 9) Total minutes played by U-21 players; 10) Coin toss (2 teams tied) or drawing of lots (3+ teams tied).[3]
(C) Champion (qualified to Champions Cup); (S) CPL Shield winner (qualified to Champions Cup)
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Tie resolved by away goal differential; Forge: +4, Wanderers: −2
Playoffs
Forge FC Round Cavalry FC
Opponent Result Opponent Result
Bye Play-in round Bye
Bye Quarterfinal Bye
Cavalry FC 2–1 First semifinal Forge FC 1–2
Bye Second semifinal Pacific FC 2–1

Forge FC

Forge FC qualified for the playoffs on September 23.[4] They finished the season in 2nd place with a record of 11 wins, 9 draws, and 8 losses and qualified directly to the first semifinal as one of the top-two teams. In the semifinal they defeated their rivals Cavalry FC to advance to a record extending fifth consecutive CPL Final.[5] Forge had a record of three wins and one loss in CPL Finals.

Cavalry FC

Cavalry were the first team to clinch a spot in the playoffs, which they did on September 12.[6] They captured the CPL Shield, finishing first in the regular season by a 13 point margin.[7] This was Cavalry's second CPL Final, having lost their only other appearance to Forge FC in 2019.

Head-to-head

The 2023 CPL final was the sixth meeting of the season between these two teams and the twenty-sixth overall. Cavalry had the advantage in the regular season against Forge, leading the head-to-head with one win and three draws and finishing 13 points ahead in the standings.

As the top-two teams in regular season, Cavalry hosted Forge in the first semifinal which was a non-elimination game. Forge won the game and earned the right to host the CPL final while Cavalry qualified to the second semifinal as losers. The match was the 23rd of 25 games between the teams that was decided by one goal or fewer.[8]

Venue

A 2019 match between Forge FC and Cavalry FC at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario

Tim Hortons Field, home of Forge FC was the host stadium for the final. This was its third time hosting the CPL final, following 2019 (leg 1) and 2021. The stadium also notably hosted the inaugural CPL match in 2019, and the Canadian Championship final in 2022, with both matches drawing large attendance. For the 2023 CPL final, attendance was expected to be high once again; The Hamilton Spectator reported that over 10,000 tickets had been sold by October 25.[9]

Tim Hortons Field opened in 2014 and was built as a replacement for Ivor Wynne Stadium which was located on the same grounds. The 24,000 seat multi-purpose stadium is also home to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. The venue is scheduled to host the 110th Grey Cup on November 19, three weeks after the CPL final.[10]

Pre-match

On October 26, the Canadian Premier League Awards took place at LIUNA Station in Hamilton. Cavalry dominated the awards; Tommy Wheeldon Jr. won Coach of the Year, Ali Musse won Player's Player of the Year, and Daan Klomp won both Defender of the Year and Player of the Year. Forge's sole award winner was Triston Henry who was named the Golden Glove winner. The CPL also unveiled the North Star Cup, the new trophy that replaced the North Star Shield awarded to the CPL champion.[11][12]

Forge had ruled out forward Woobens Pacius before the final due to injury while Cavalry were expected to have their full roster available for selection.[13]

Match

Summary

First half

The final was played in front of a crowd of 13,925 fans at Tim Hortons Field.[14] The match kicked-off at 6 pm local time, just before sunset in Hamilton.[1] Forge took the initiative to open the match, pinning Cavalry in its own half for stretches of time.[15] Cavalry nearly opened the scoring late in the half from a shot from distance by Fraser Aird.[15] The half ended scoreless despite several set piece opportunities for Cavalry.[16]

Second half

While Forge seemed to have momentum, Cavalry generated more scoring chances.[15] Myer Bevan, Ali Musse, and Jesse Daley all had chances to open the scoring for Cavalry, but none could beat Forge goalkeeper Triston Henry.[15][17] Forge's Béni Badibanga thought he had scored after chipping the ball over Cavalry keeper Marco Carducci and into the net, but the goal was called back due to a foul.[15] Musse had another good chance denied by Forge Henry with ten minutes remaining in the half. The match was scoreless after 90 minutes, forcing it into extra time.[15]

Extra time

Musse broke the deadlock in the 11th minute of extra time to give Cavalry a 1–0 lead.[14] Bevan won the ball in Forge's penalty area before passing it to Daley who setup Musse for his strike.[17] However, Forge quickly equalized when Badibanga took a short corner from Kyle Bekker and fired a long-range shot into the top corner.[14][17]

In the 21st minute of extra time, Forge substitute Tristan Borges fired a leftfooted corner kick directly into the goal past Carducci for an olympico goal that stood up as the match winner.[14][17]

Details

Forge FC2–1 (a.e.t.)Cavalry FC
 Recap
Report
Attendance: 13,925
Forge
Cavalry
GK1Canada Triston HenryYellow card 120+4'
CB24Haiti Garven Metusala
CB13Sweden Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson
CB5Canada Manjrekar JamesYellow card 14'
RM24Albania Rezart Ramadownward-facing red arrow 118'
CM21Canada Alessandro Hojabrpourdownward-facing red arrow 105'
CM10Canada Kyle Bekker (c)
LM20Canada Kwasi Pokudownward-facing red arrow 46'
AM22Canada Noah Jensendownward-facing red arrow 68'
CF39Belgium Béni Badibangadownward-facing red arrow 118'
CF9Canada Terran Campbelldownward-facing red arrow 103'
Substitutes:
GK29Canada Christopher Kalongo
DF4Canada Dominic SamuelYellow card 105'upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW7Canada David Choinièreupward-facing green arrow 103'
FW9Canada Jordan Hamiltonupward-facing green arrow 105'
FW19Canada Tristan BorgesYellow card 105+5'upward-facing green arrow 68'
MF33Mali Aboubacar Sissokoupward-facing green arrow 118'
DF81England Malik Owolabi-Belewuupward-facing green arrow 118'
Manager:
Canada Bobby Smyrniotis
GK1Canada Marco Carducci (c)
RB33Canada Fraser Aird
CB24Canada Eryk Kobza
CB4Netherlands Daan Klomp
LB5France Bradley KamdemYellow card 105+5'downward-facing red arrow 115'
CM8Australia Jesse DaleyYellow card 57'downward-facing red arrow 112'
CM6Canada Charlie TraffordYellow card 72'
RW7Somalia Ali Mussedownward-facing red arrow 105+6'
AM10Canada Sergio CamargoYellow card 30'downward-facing red arrow 73'
LW19South Sudan William Akiodownward-facing red arrow 115'
CF9New Zealand Myer BevanYellow card 40'
Substitutes:
GK21Canada Sterling Kerr
DF3Canada Callum Montgomeryupward-facing green arrow 105+6'
MF17Canada Ben Fiskupward-facing green arrow 115'
MF18Canada Maël Henryupward-facing green arrow 112'
FW20Republic of Ireland Joe Masonupward-facing green arrow 115'
FW23Canada Gareth Smith-Doyle
MF26Canada Shamit Shomeupward-facing green arrow 73'
Manager:
England Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

Player of the Match:
Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)[18]

Assistant referees:
Peter Pendli
Gérard-Kader Lebuis
Fourth official:
Scott Bowman

Match rules

  • 90 minutes
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary
  • Penalty shoot-out if score still level
  • Maximum of five substitutions, with a sixth allowed in extra time

Statistics

Overall[19]
Statistic Forge FC Cavalry FC
Goals scored 2 1
Total shots 17 21
Shots on target 4 5
Blocked shots 6 4
Ball possession 43% 57%
Passes 442 567
Corner kicks 5 3
Fouls conceded 19 17
Offsides 2 1
Yellow cards 4 5
Red cards 0 0

Post-match

With their win, Forge FC earned their record-extending fourth CPL championship – all within a five year span. This final was the first where a team came from behind to win and the first where a team captured the title at home.[18] Cavalry FC remain winless in CPL finals, with their only other appearance being a defeat to Forge in 2019.[18] For the fourth straight year (excluding the shortened 2020 season), the regular season winner failed to achieve the double by winning the CPL championship, losing in the finals on all four occasions.

Forge and Cavalry qualified to the newly expanded 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup as champions and regular season winners respectively. Had Cavalry won the final, Forge would have still qualified as regular season runners-up.[20] The draw was held on December 13 with the tournament beginning in February 2024.[21][22] Forge will be returning to the competition, having most recently qualified in 2022 while Cavalry will be making their international debut.[23]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Ancaster, Ontario, Canada Weather History". Weather Underground. The Weather Company. October 28, 2023. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  2. ↑ Thompson, Marty (February 2, 2022). "2022 CPL Season presented by WestJet: Playoff format, opening weekend matches released". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  3. ↑ "2023 CPL Competition Guidelines". Canadian Premier League. March 17, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Forge FC Clinch 2023 CPL Playoff Spot". Forge FC. September 23, 2023. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ Milton, Steve (October 20, 2023). "Five years, five finals for Forge FC". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  6. ↑ Jacques, John (September 13, 2023). "Cavalry First To Clinch Playoff Berth". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  7. ↑ Jacques, John (October 21, 2023). "Cavalry Carves Out Revenge Opportunity In CPL Final". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  8. ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (October 14, 2023). "Highlights: Cavalry FC vs. Forge FC (Oct. 14, 2023)". onesoccer.ca. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  9. ↑ Milton, Steve (October 25, 2023). "More than 10,000 tickets already sold for CPL final". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Green Day to perform halftime show at 110th Grey Cup in Hamilton". TSN. September 30, 2023.
  11. ↑ Petrillo, Andi; Wheeler, Gareth (October 26, 2023). 2023 Canadian Premier League Awards on OneSoccer. OneSoccer. Retrieved October 28, 2023 – via YouTube.
  12. ↑ Jacques, John (October 26, 2023). "2023 CPL Awards Round Up: Cavalry Dominates The Show". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  13. ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (October 27, 2023). "Match Preview: Forge FC vs. Cavalry FC — 2023 CPL Final". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Wharnsby, Tim (October 28, 2023). "Borges scores 'Olimpico' goal as Forge FC completes comeback to win 4th CPL title". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jacques, John (October 28, 2023). "2023 CPL Final: Forge Reigns Supreme, Bests Cavalry For Fourth Title Win". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  16. ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (October 28, 2023). "Highlights: Forge FC 2-1 Cavalry FC (a.e.t) -- 2023 CPL Final". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Saelhof, Todd (October 28, 2023). "Cavalry loses CPL final on extra-time 'unicorn' goals by host Forge". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 Tierney, Mitchell (October 28, 2023). "Match Analysis: Forge FC stun rivals Cavalry FC in extra time to win fourth CPL Final". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Forge FC 2 - 1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. October 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (October 24, 2023). "Draw procedure, dates revealed for 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  21. ↑ Davidson, Neil (December 13, 2023). "Whitecaps, Forge FC draw Mexican opponents in CONCACAF Champions Cup". TSN. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Draw delivers Round One matchups for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup". CONCACAF. December 13, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  23. ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (December 13, 2023). "Why the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup is such a big opportunity for Cavalry and Forge". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
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