Forge FC and FC Edmonton continued in opposite directions on the Fall form table Wednesday with Forge taking a slim 1-0 win at Clarke Stadium.
The result was Forge’s 13th-straight without a loss, their last coming against FCE on July 6. The Eddies, meanwhile, are now winless in nine attempts.
FCE showed strong early on with meaningful, final-third possession against the league leaders – a clear-cut opportunity for Edem Mortotsi was a particular highlight.
Despite the FCE’s strong play, Forge would open the scoring rather serendipitously when goalkeeper Dylan Powley, unable to collect an in-swinging corner, coughed up the ball in the six-yard box. Forge’s Klaidi Cela smashed home the opener through a crowd in the 26th minute.
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The Eddies nearly had their own bit of ‘keeper misfortune-turned-luck at the stroke of halftime when Quillan Roberts gifted Mele Temguia a chance that went wide.
Pace of play slowed in the second half, to Forge’s advantage, as the Eddies were unable to find the quality of chances they saw in the first. Powley would redeem himself late on, with big saves against Tristan Borges and Alexander Achinioti Jonsson.
The Eddies next take on Valour FC, travelling to Winnipeg for the occasion (Saturday 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT/1:30 p.m. MT, available on OneSoccer). One day later, Forge heads back to Tim Hortons Field for an all-Ontario encounter with York9 FC (Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, available on OneSoccer).
Goals
26′ – Klaidi Cela (Forge FC)
Discipline
90+3 – Yellow Card – Monti Mohsen (Forge FC)
Three Key Performers
Kyle Bekker (Forge FC)
Superb passing from Forge’s no. 10, setting up teammates all over the pitch on route to a match-leading five key passes. Solid delivery off the staggering nine Forge corners, too, including the challenging in-swinger that caused the misplay from Powley.
Easton Ongaro (FC Edmonton)
Ongaro was a constant threat for the Eddies on the wing, running at defenders and making things uneasy in the box for Forge. A key layoff to Morotosi created the best chance of the match.
Alexander Achinioti Jonsson (Forge FC)
Strong return from injury for the defensive midfielder, who screened the back-four well and was solid in possession, completing 96% of his passes.