Forge FC defeated Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC 2-1 in the first leg of their Canadian Championship semifinal on Wednesday night at Tim Hortons Field.
In front of an electric atmosphere of 11,431 fans on a rainy night in Hamilton, Forge picked up their second straight victory against an MLS team, after defeating CF Montréal in the competition’s quarter-finals.
Forge’s Béni Badibanga opened the scoring in just the 11th minute with a stunning effort as he chipped Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran from inside his own half.
#CANPL BADIBANGAS ONLY 💥
OH. MY. GOODNESS. 🤯@ForgeFCHamilton's Beni Badibanga stuns #TFClive with an absolute BOMB from HIS OWN HALF! 👀
🔴 Watch the 2024 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗨𝗦 #CanChamp semi-finals on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/2YIePs5aUd
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 10, 2024
Just three minutes later, Forge had a second, as Tristan Borges played David Choinière down the line. The Forge winger sent a low cross into the box that Kwasi Poku showed incredible skill to flick past Gavran with his heel. The 21-year-old Poku has been having an excellent Canadian Championship as he also scored against CF Montréal in a 2-1 Forge FC victory at Stade Saputo on May 22. He was named the Canadian Premier League’s Player of the Month after scoring four goals and adding two assists in June.
AND AGAIN.
AGAIN.@ForgeFCHamilton's Kwasi Poku makes it 2-0 over #TFClive with a sucker-punch 1-2, and we've got a #CanPL vs. #MLS RIVALRY burning at Tim Hortons Field 🔥
🔴 Watch the 2024 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗨𝗦 #CanChamp semi-finals on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/l1Nlmgk5uz
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 10, 2024
Toronto FC spoiled the party at Tim Hortons Field slightly, as Prince Owusu added a late goal for the Reds in the 88th minute, as he took advantage of a scramble on a corner kick for a big away goal.
TFC nearly added another moments later, but Forge goalkeeper Chris Kalongo made a stunning save on a Lorenzo Insigne strike which looked destined for the top right corner. Forge then held on to take the lead in this semifinal series.
It is the third time in the 2024 Canadian Championship that a Canadian Premier League side has defeated an MLS club. Cavalry FC also defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 in the second leg of their quarter-final tie — but ultimately bowing out of the competition on away goals.
The second leg of this series will be played at Toronto’s BMO Field on August 27 (7:00 p.m. ET). The away goals rule is in effect. The winner of this semifinal plays the victor of a West Coast clash between back-to-back Canadian Champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Premier League side Pacific FC.