2024 CPL Regular Season — Match #75
Vancouver FC vs. Forge FC
August 18, 2024 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET
Willoughby Community Park in Langley, British Columbia
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca & TELUS Ch. 980 // Tickets available here

Matchweek #19 of the 2024 Canadian Premier League season will conclude out in Langley, as Vancouver FC hosts Forge FC at Willoughby Community Park on Sunday.

The third meeting of the season, it’ll be the first time both teams meet in British Columbia since 2023, after both of their previous matchups this season were held at Tim Hortons Field.

There, both combined for a pair of entertaining matches, as Vancouver defeated Forge 2-1 back in May, before they had to both settle for a draw in an entertaining 3-3 clash last month.

Now, as the season series shifts to B.C., this upcoming matchup promises to be an entertaining one, as there’s a lot at stake for both teams.

On one side, Vancouver’s looking to build some momentum after a crucial victory over Pacific in the Salish Sea Derby last weekend, which snapped a five game winless run. Thanks to that, they were able to retain their hold on the fifth and final playoff spot in the CPL, while remaining within touching distance of the top four.

Eager to want to push back up the table after a hot start, they know the key will be for them to string a couple of wins together, and no better way to spark a run than with a key home match against the league leaders.

A Vancouver side that always enjoys playing against Forge, sitting with an even record in the all-time series, they’ll be up for this game, and will look to turn that into another positive result.

“I’m very excited to have them in our home,” Vancouver’s head coach, Afshin Ghotbi, said this week.”I feel that we’ve played extremely well both times when we played them away this year, we’re the only team that’s taken points away from them at their home pitch, and we hope to continue that success when they come and visit us on Sunday.”

As for Forge, they’ll be looking to make this a perfect week, as they’ve done well to so far navigate a busy stretch. After beating Atlético Ottawa at home on the weekend, they then navigated the challenge of a midweek game against Halifax by claiming another win, so they’ll see this match as a chance to make it a perfect nine-point week.

At the same time, they know that won’t be easy, but their motivation to do so will be high. Having climbed into first place in the table after a run of 4W-1D-1L (13 PTS) in their last six games, they’ll want to build on that stretch with another key victory.

Amid a busy month, and with an important Canadian Championship game looming later this month, they want to keep the good times rolling, starting with this match.

“You have to be the best version of yourself each and every day,” Forge’s head coach, Bobby Smyrniotis, said. “And the only way to do that is to look ahead to what you have, and what we have is Vancouver, the rest is history.”

In terms of player availability, Vancouver could be without Kadin Chung, who will be a game-time decision after picking up a knock in training ahead of the Pacific game, but Vancouver will welcome new signing Ayman Sellouf into the matchday squad after his arrival from Pacific this week. Meanwhile, Forge looks set to welcome back Chris Kalongo into the squad after he missed the Halifax game with a small knock, but will be without Kwasi Poku for a second straight game amid continuing transfer interest in the young Canadian.

All CPL matches are available to stream on OneSoccer, FuboTV, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980.

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• Organization the key for Vancouver against dangerous Forge side: Can Vancouver continue to frustrate Forge? In six all-time meetings, Vancouver’s claimed two wins and two draws, and have so far gotten the better of Forge this year despite the first two matchups being on the road. That last point is key, in particular – Forge have been dominant at home this year, sitting with a record of 8W-1D-1L (25 PTS). The two games where they were unable to get a win, however? Their two meetings against Vancouver, as they’ve otherwise won all eight of the other home matches they’ve had, making them a dominant force at home. Because of that, it’ll be fascinating to see how this one plays out, as Forge has struggled on the road, winning just one of eight matches away from Tim Hortons Field. For Vancouver, this presents a unique opportunity, as they’ll need to continue to do what they’ve done well against the Hammers in their past meetings. More specifically, that’ll mean remaining organized defensively, and making the most of any opportunities they create at the other end, making sure to be clinical in both boxes. They know they can do those things, and want to grow on what they’ve shown, but they know that it won’t be easy against a Forge side who will have a point to prove as they look to retain their spot in the table.

• Ayman Sellouf’s arrival hoped to spark Vancouver attack: It’s been a strange season for Vancouver’s attack. When they’ve been on their game, they’ve been a joy to watch, which is why they sit fourth in the CPL in goals for. Despite that, they’ve also had several games where they’ve struggled to get going offensively. That’s why they nearly have as many games where they’ve been shut out (six) as they have games where they’ve scored two or more goals (eight), as they’ve been very boom-or-bust offensively. Because of that, they made a big move to shake up their offence this week, sending Moses Dyer to Pacific and receiving Ayman Sellouf in return. There, they feel that can give their attack a big spark, as Sellouf led the CPL in assists in 2023 with eight, and is dangerous in 1v1 scenarios and with his shot. Through that, it’s hoped he can support striker Alejandro Díaz, who is second in the CPL in goals with eight as of writing, giving Díaz the service to score even more goals. On paper, it’s felt a trio of Sellouf, Gabriel Bitar and Mikaël Cantave can certainly bring creativity and chance creation for Díaz to thrive off, so Vancouver will now look to put it into practice after Sellouf’s arrival, starting with this game. “There are a lot of good attacking players on this team,” Sellouf said this week. “I think if we can find each other as quickly as possible, we are going to create a lot of damage for the opposition, because we can get the freedom to do what we can do best.”

• Forge looking to continue quiet midfield dominance: A key to success for Forge this season? The middle of the park, as despite some standout performances from their attackers and defenders, their midfielders have been some of their most consistent players this season. That’s been key, as Forge has dealt with some injuries and availability issues across other positions, but have been able to rely on their core group of midfield players, which consists of Kyle Bekker, Alessandro Hojabrpour and Noah Jensen, to do a lot of heavy lifting in nearly every game. Because of that, they’ll be pleased to see Hojabrpour, who has been having an excellent season defensively and in possession as a defensive midfielder, step up and score the winner in Forge’s midweek win over Halifax, allowing him to earn some more shine than he’s typically seen this season. Yet, that’s a prime example of what’s helped Forge reach the top of the table – they know that on any given day, they’ve got several players who can step up and be decisive in key moments. Against Halifax, it was Hojabrpour, and now they’ll look for him or someone else to shine in this Vancouver clash. “For our team, the midfield is important,” Smyrniotis said. “It allows us to take on (opponents) on both sides of the ball, both defensively and then in the attack with our possession and position play, and that’s all important.”

PROJECTED STARTING XIs

Vancouver FC: Irving; Gee, Romeo, Norman Jr., Cameron; Rommens, Fry; Cantave, Bitar, Sellouf; Díaz

Forge FC: Koleilat; Duncan, Achinioti-Jönsson, Owalabi-Belewu, Parra; Hojabrpour, Bekker; Choinière, Borges, Badibanga; Hamilton

ALL-TIME SERIES

Vancouver FC wins: 2 || Forge FC wins: 2 || Draws: 2

Last meeting:

July 5, 2024 — Forge FC 3-3 Vancouver FC

KEY QUOTES

“We have to make sure we put pressure on the ball and make it difficult for them to find their strikers, because their strikers are deadly in tight spaces and big spaces. Then, even in dead ball situations, you can see how dangerous they can be. So I think they’re a handful to play against, but we’ve done fairly well (against them), and I think there are going to be opportunities for us in in counterattacks to create possibilities for ourselves, and I feel that we can be dangerous on our own dead ball situations, too.” — Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi

“Concentration – that’s the biggest thing (we need on the road). We’ve made a big effort to have a lot more of that at home where we deal with different looks from opponents, but I think sometimes in these matches away, we’ve been a little bit complacent in certain situations in the game, and that’s not who we need to be if we want to be at the top of the table and to keep on doing well. We need maximum concentration in these matches – that’s the most important thing. You always find something different when you’re playing away, as each stadium has something different about it, their atmosphere, their fans, all of it. It’s something we’ve been talking about within the group, and we’ll need to see it turn, because we need some more positive results on the road. We’re happy with what we’re doing at home in comparison to last year, but we need some of these games on the road to translate into three points.” — Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis