In the south end of Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton lies a circular plaza with flags.

Positioned beyond the gates it provides a gathering point for fans before games and on this Wednesday night provided a small imaginary race track for some young cyclists riding around, almost oblivious to a game happening next to them.

After sunset on another spectacular Ontario day, eight minutes before 9 pm, it appeared darkness was putting an end to their joy when a large roar erupted and grabbed the attention of one of the kids on his bike. He turned to see a crowd standing in appreciation of a home goal after Daniel Krutzen had stroked the ball home from the penalty spot. Moments later, as the child was about to press more attention on the pedals and get back to more fun, he paused again to an announcement from the PA system that roared in triumph.

“Who are we?” was the message roared out in celebration, a tradition after every goal here.

With the kid still staring, having clearly been captured by something for a moment, he could easily have thought, ‘Well, you are the champions’. The crowd answered more simplistically with ‘Forge FC’. They have been accustomed to celebrating this kind of success.

This time, a little louder, we were asked again: “Who are we?”

The cyclist was now borderline uninterested, leaving the rest of us to think of an answer this time. Having not seen the goal, clearly he couldn’t think what some of us were thinking anyway, that this was yet another penalty kick for Forge (a seventh of the season) and yet another one conceded by Atlético Ottawa (an eighth in 2021). Maybe, just maybe this was the new Forge? Inspired by a brilliant back three of Alexander-Achinioti-Jonsson, Krutzen and Maxim Tissot, rampaging and clever full backs, cerebral midfielders, but missing in the final third.

“Who are we?”

Again? By now the future Peloton subscriber was cycling into the distance and this time I was definitely left alone to ponder.

‘Forge FC’ was an answer shouted by the 3,165 in attendance but that wasn’t enough for me. Who exactly are they?

The half-time whistle would blow soon after and all I could think about was one man in midfield. The evidence in front of our own eyes at that point had shown yet another typical half of football for this side in 2021. Dominant in possession, smart with their movement, dangerous in wide areas, yet unable to do anything in the final third aside from scoring from the spot once again.

Forge entered this match in Canadian Premier League action having scored five goals in five games including two penalties, a header from a free kick and an accidental 96th minute screamer from Kwame Awuah. Not exactly efficient.

Throughout their struggles in front of goal, though, remained a calmness from all and a belief that their overall play would eventually result in more attacking plays leading to goals. By now, you will know that came almost immediately, a clinical showing with three second half goals led Forge to a dominant 4-0 win and the enthusiastic PA announcer asking nine more times that same question.

“Who are we?”

As I watched all three goals dispatched and searched for the return of my friend on his bike I still had my answer. I had it at 1-0 when he the boy was riding and I had it at 4-0 when he was probably fast asleep.

Who are Forge? A team fortunate to have a player like Elimane Cissé in midfield.

What a player he is. In a 3-4-3 system where he is left to play alongside Kyle Bekker in a double pivot midfield, head coach Bobby Smyrniotis doesn’t have to worry about ever being outnumbered in midfield. Name the team, name the three-man midfield, name the system. With Cissé he has what he needs. The 26-year-old Senegalese is a supreme reader of the game with a remarkable engine that allows him to press intelligently into the right zones and frustrate opponents.

Atlético Ottawa were far from good on this night but played the majority of the first half at 0-0 and as the home fans grew restless it was Cissé who controlled them and rarely let fellow midfielders Viti Martinez and Alberto Soto turn and play on the front foot.

As early as the 16th minute, Atlético centre-forward Raul Uche had seen enough and sprinted fifty yards to come deep in a futile attempt to help his fellow Spaniards play but Cissé, like a true guardian of the gates, followed him and forced Ottawa even deeper. Soon after he chased down Martinez, then centre-back Milovan Kapor and still hunted the ball when it was received by goalkeeper Dylon Powley.

Cisse didn’t stop running throughout the game and as Mista changed shape, system and players multiple times throughout the game searching for an answer the truth was Cisse inspired Forge to a place teams far better than Ottawa will struggle to beat.

“He is the one player to be honest not a lot of people talk about,” admitted Smyrniotis postmatch. “He can be the most important player in the squad. It is incredible the engine he has, and the smile he has doing it. He’s so good on the ball, off the ball the way he presses into certain lanes on the field, he knows the right triggers on when to go and the amount of times he causes opponents to turnover the ball that’s the moments we want to get ourselves back into possession and get going. He has a fantastic engine and I think he has really found his feet this year. Last year was tough with an injury and some personal issues back home but he has found his real value this year and we are really happy to have him at Tim Hortons Field and in the Canadian Premier League.”

Smyrniotis went on to praise his fitness stating he probably could have played another game afterwards. Thankfully, for Forge that game will come again soon enough as they take on York United this Saturday. Cisse was a big loss last season in Concacaf play when he was unavailable but at this level is irreplaceable for the reigning champions on this kind of form and already gives them something they didn’t have when on top in 2020.

“We tried to conserve our kilometres a little at the end,” admitted Smyrniotis when ahead 4-0. Off went Kyle Bekker, Tristan Borges and Kwame Awuah amongst others. On remained Cissé running and conserving nothing.

On a night where Forge smashed Atlético, Cissé undoubtedly covered more ground than my friend on his bike.