What can Forge FC and Cavalry FC do for an encore?
That’s the main question after a wild and entertaining Leg 1 of the Canadian Premier League Finals last week saw Forge earn a 1-0 win at home. Now the teams are ready for the rematch.
Leg 2 of Finals 2019 kicks off Saturday with Cavalry welcoming Forge to ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows in Calgary (3:00 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. MT, on OneSoccer). The match will be also be replayed on CBC late night after Hockey Night in Canada.
Some of the CPL’s brightest stars will be on display in Saturday’s rematch as Forge and the Cavs do battle to become the first team to win the North Star Shield.
Who are the key players to watch? How will the coaches approach this game? Will home-field advantage tip the scales?
CanPL.ca answers these questions and many more, and has you covered with our in-depth preview coverage of Leg 2 of Finals 2019…
Game Preview: Cavalry vs. Forge
An incredible six months now behind us, we’ve arrived at the final match of the CPL’s inaugural season. Leg 2 of the Canadian Premier League Finals goes down in Calgary on Saturday, where hosts Cavalry FC will try to overturn the 1-0 deficit they conceded to Forge FC in Hamilton last week. || FULL STORY
Return of Borges a big boost for Forge
For a man who will have the services of the CPL’s top scorer in Leg 2 of Finals 2019, after it was in doubt for much of the week, Forge FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis was playing it cool when asked about the return of Tristan Borges. || FULL STORY
‘Will over skill’: Confidence flowing for Cavs at ‘intimidating’ home for Leg 2
ATCO Field, Spruce Meadows – Cavalry’s home stadium, and the reason why Cavalry’s players and coaches are feeling oh so confident despite being down a goal heading into Leg 2. || FULL STORY
‘Spoil the party’: Forge intensely focused despite festivities around Leg 2
Forge isn’t letting the occasion disturb their process; it’s all business for a fully-focused team that Bobby Smyrniotis hopes will make history by sticking to what they do best – winning. || FULL STORY
‘A big game for Canada’: Malonga offers experience in Finals closer
Laid-back Cavalry striker Dominique Malonga has seen plenty of big days in his club career, whether in Italy, France, Scotland or Greece. But this latest journey is an opportunity for he and his teammates to make history. || FULL STORY
Dare to be different: Wheeldon Jr. heeds his dad’s advice
Did you ever wonder how Tommy Wheeldon Jr. came by his keen fashion sense? Or why the Cavalry FC coach speaks his mind in such a frank manner? Or why he approaches the game from a tactical perspective that differs from the norm. Well, wonder no more. || FULL STORY
Cavalry’s Zator ready for ‘fight of our lives‘
Cavalry defender Dominick Zator insists his team is unfazed by the challenge it faces in Leg 2. || FULL STORY
Centre Circle LIVE! Podcast: Finals 2019, Leg 2 Preview
Sandra Prusina and Steven Sandor join the show to recap an incredible Leg 1 and preview Leg 2: What does Forge FC and Cavalry FC need to do to become the first CPL Champion?
Can Cavalry flip the script and pin back a rampant Forge in Leg 2?
Video analysis of Forge’s attacking success in Leg 1. Does Cavalry press as aggressively in Leg 2? || FULL STORY
Travelling Forge fans making the trip to see history unfold
The story of Steve Jugovic and Brian Donohue, two Forge fans making the trip to Calgary for Leg 2. || FULL STORY
DEBATE: Who will win Leg 2 of Finals 2019?
The CanPL.ca Editorial crew offer their picks and predictions for Saturday’s match. || FULL STORY
Nik Ledgerwood’s letter to Cavalry FC fans
Cavalry FC captain Nik Ledgerwood penned an open letter to Cavs fans ahead of Leg 2. || FULL STORY
Forge welcome Leg 2 reinforcements in Owundi, Samuel
For two Forge players, Dominic Samuel and Bertrand Owundi, who missed Leg 1 through suspension – a red card and caution accumulation, respectively – it was a unique, not-entirely-pleasant experience cheering their side on from the stands, aside from the result. || FULL STORY
5 Key figures that could tell the story of Leg 2
Here are five key numbers from Leg 1 that could also give us insights into how Leg 2 might play out. || FULL STORY
Will Leg 2 be won or lost on ‘the wings’?
Throughout the season, if there’s been one absolute about the Cavalry, it’s been that no one, absolutely no one, can match the Calgary side’s dominance on the wings. But that wasn’t the case in Leg 1. || FULL STORY
3 Key matchups to keep an eye on in Leg 2
Here are three key matchups to look for in Leg 2 of Finals 2019 on Saturday at ATCO Field in Calgary. || FULL STORY
3 Alternative talking points ahead of Leg 2
To cut through the usual talking points of away goals and tactical analysis, we present some alternative talking points around Finals 2019 – thoughts that have hovered around the main discourse that are still worth mentioning. || FULL STORY
Wheeldon Jr. can take inspiration from Arsenal’s 1998 team
How can Cavalry overturn a Leg 1 deficit? Maybe Arsenal’s historic win at Anfield in 1989 provides a blue print. || FULL STORY
Burning Questions: Who deserves what in Leg 2?
Does Joel Waterman deserve to play in the second leg? Does Tristan Borges? || FULL STORY
