Final Score: Forge FC 2-1 Cavalry FC
Goalscorers: Borges 70′, Badibanga 76′; Camargo 60′
Game of the 2024 season: 2
CPL match: 481

Match in a minute or less

In a match eerily similar to their last meeting in the 2023 CPL Final, Forge completed a comeback 2-1 victory over Cavalry on Saturday in their 2024 season opener.

Cavalry’s Sergio Camargo opened the scoring early in the first half on a quality set-piece routine. However, just as they did back in October, although this time in reverse order, Tristan Borges and Béni Badibanga replied to give Forge the victory.

It was the first time that Forge have won on the opening day of the CPL season in club history. Cavalry, meanwhile, are now winless in their last seven trips to Tim Hortons Field.

Three Observations

Forge FC complete another home comeback over Cavalry 

For the 11th time in their past 17 matches at Tim Hortons Field, Forge FC allowed the opening goal on Saturday. But after collecting 13 points from losing position at home last season, they collected another three on Saturday.

It wasn’t always the easiest match for Forge, with Head Coach Bobby Smyrniotis joking that they went again the tempestuous Tim Hortons Field winds in the first half, and somehow in the second half as well even after switching sides. But after Cavalry opened the scoring, they found another gear and within 15 minutes had the lead.

“I thought we did a good job, if you look at those two goals it’s something we usually talk about and we work on quite often in training,” said Smyrniotis. “It’s something where you need to be in those zones to score goals so I’m happy we got our goals from there.”

The chemistry developing between Forge’s key attackers was evident, especially on their second goal. After the match, Béni Badibanga said he only needs to give Tristan Borges a look now in order to play the sort of scything 1-2 sequence that cut Cavalry open for the winning goal in the 76th minute.

Béni Badibanga gives @ForgeFCHamilton the lead!

Can the Cavs find an equalizer? 👀#CanPL I 📺 @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/cdB48o0epA

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) April 13, 2024

Improvement at home will be a key for Forge this season, who collected just four wins at Tim Hortons Field during the 2023 regular season. They already have a big one in 2024, and in front of a fantastic season-opening crowd on Saturday afternoon it was a good start in making the field a fortress again this year.

“First and foremost we love playing football on this pitch, the players, they absolutely love it, they love the size of it, the spacing of it and it’s just nature to them,” said Smyrniotis. “So if we lose points at home it’s disappointing. Second, is I think we have 7 and half thousand people who want to see a football match and want to see Forge perform. So that’s motivating for players.”

Malik Owolabi-Belewu delivers another solid performance at the back for Forge

After a strong two legs against Chivas Guadalajara as a fullback during Forge’s 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup run, Malik Owolabi-Belewu shifted into the centre of defence on Saturday and delivered another outstanding performance.

On several occasions, the young defender thwarted Cavalry attacks at the crucial moment, with well-timed interventions in and around the box. Going up against Players’ Player of the Year Ali Musse, he did a fantastic job of limiting opportunities for the Cavalry attacker.

Owolabi-Belewu won 10 of his 11 duels, including both he contested in the air. He completed four tackles, five interceptions and four clearances in a complete defensive performance.

“He loves defending,” said Smyrniotis. “In today’s world of football, and sometimes I’m susceptible to that, we like all defenders to be able to play, to pass and to look good and attack but we forget that they are defenders. He’s one of those guys that really takes pride in doing that defensive work.”

Owolabi-Belewu’s main struggles came in possession, as he had a few dangerous giveaways in his own area as Cavalry pressed well. However, he did well to quickly recover defensively when he did make an error.

This is an important season for the 21-year-old, who with the departure of Manjrekar James should have more opportunity for minutes this season. If he continues as he has started in 2024, he will be a key contributor for Forge this season, especially with Garven Metusala dealing with injury.

Cavalry’s back three allows for relentless press, but they will want goals conceded back 

Just as they did to start their away leg against Orlando City in the Concacaf Champions Cup two legs ago, Cavalry FC deployed a back three of Eryk Kobza, Daan Klomp and Callum Montgomery at Tim Hortons Field on Saturday.

With those three central defenders holding the fort at the back, wingbacks Shamit Shome and Bradley Kamdem were free to press high up the flanks. The second Forge switched the ball across the backline, one of the wingbacks would quickly burst forward to apply pressure.

Those wide areas were often where Cavalry were able to win the ball back, in particular down the left. Down that flank, Kamdem, Tobias Warschewski and Sergio Camargo combined brilliantly to win the ball back and quickly transition into attacking opportunities. They won the ball nine times in the final third, and limited Forge to just 0.55 expected goals.

The average position chart below shows just how high wingbacks Bradley Kamdem (#5) and Shamit Shome (#26) were during the match despite Cavalry holding just 45.1 per cent of possession.

“I thought we were solid defensively, you have to be, big pitch, good team, you’ve got to be together and a unit and I thought for the most part we were,” said Cavalry FC Manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “That’s why we are a bit disappointed with the result.”

As a result of the strong back three, Forge struggled to find attacking opportunities through the middle, with Forge unable to really create anything in transition as a result. But they were able to capitalize on a few moments of disorganization by Cavalry in their own box — and were clinical in those moments.

“They kicked up another gear, and we could have done better to respond,” said Cavalry FC manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “With the number of bodies in our box we would want those goals back. Good performance, but it’s not great and if we want to be successful again we have to raise that edge.”

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Tristan Borges, Forge FC

With a goal and an assist in the space of six minutes, Tristan Borges haunted Cavalry once again to start the 2024 campaign. He had five shot attempts, and created two chances as Forge’s most dynamic attacker.

What’s next?

Forge travel up the road to Toronto next weekend to take on York United on Sunday, April 21 (4:00 p.m. ET) in the first 905 Derby of the season. Cavalry, meanwhile, continue their Ontario odyssey with a trip to the nation’s capital on Saturday, April 20 against Atlético Ottawa ( 4:00 p.m. MT / 2:00 p.m. ET).

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