On Friday, the day before the 2024 CPL Final, Forge FC and Cavalry FC’s head coaches and select players took part in the league’s CPL Final media day.

Ahead of their sixth Final in six years, Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis, as well as captain Kyle Bekker and midfielder Alessandro Hojabrpour spoke on the difference between this year’s team and last, not taking all their CPL Final appearances for granted, and whether or not they should be the favourites and plenty more.

Here are the highlights from Forge’s pre-match press conference.

RELATED: MATCH PREVIEW: Cavalry FC vs. Forge FC — 2024 CPL Final

Bobby Smyrniotis, head coach 

On the difference between Forge heading into the 2023 Final and 2024’s edition:

“I think this team has been much more consistent over the season, much more battle challenged. I’ve talked about last year, it costing us being the first year we never played in a Concacaf competition; those external games in different environments and atmospheres are something that drives this club. Why is that, maybe because we had that taste, as we’re a club of four months old back in 2019. For us, the staff and all the players, I think that’s a big component to what we do, that stability in our play this year, good performances in Champions Cup, an excellent run in the Canadian Championship, with some very good performances, I think that kept the fuel going.

“And that was something that was a little bit lacking last year, although the quality was there, that motivation of something different, other than playing for a trophy in this league. And I know that sounds a little bit crazy, but players have to find motivation in different ways, and we’ve been able to find that stability. We put a target on the Shield this year with it being the second year of that being awarded in our league, and something we weren’t happy about last year so we put that target forward. And then obviously, you always want to be playing in the final game.” 

On whether winning the CPL Final would be a ‘bonus’ after winning the regular season:

“You play the lottery to win the jackpot. You don’t play for that encore or whatever. So you come here and you play for the trophy that’s at hand, and that’s pretty simple. Our league is set up that the banner tomorrow will say champion. The banner two weeks ago didn’t say champion. So that’s the league. So there’s no bonus. That’s the trophy that’s at hand, and that’s what we play for.

On not taking reaching the Final for granted:

“Our players have been doing a good job. And it’s the continuity of our club, the ideals that we have, the culture we have, both on and off the field, that keep us striving for success, but not something that weighs on us — something that we’re proud of, something that we don’t take for granted. The first word I use in our in our locker room is the word humble. We always start from a humble place, because nothing that you gain comes to you. It comes through the hard work, comes through respecting your opponents each and every one; you always have to be on a good day to win in this league. You can’t have a bad day and think that you’re going to win a game. And that’s one thing we’ve learned over time.”

On whether the season is a success if they don’t win the Final:

“I don’t think it’s not a success. When you leave the last day and you haven’t won that game it’s going to be disappointment, of course. Do we do we need to win the trophy tomorrow? No, we’ve got a few back at home, but we want to, we want another one. To have this trophy, at least until now, you have to go through Forge. That’s something we take a lot of pride in. That’s why we’re here. So it’s not a matter of that, hey, we’re going to be okay if things don’t go well tomorrow. Everyone in the room wants it. Everyone in the room is ready for it, but of course, there’s been success this year. But in 2021, we did a lot of that same stuff outside, and semi-finals of Concacaf and different things, but it would be a much better feeling lifting a trophy at the last game of the season.”

Kyle Bekker, midfielder

On whether Cavalry should be considered the favourites in this game:

“I mean, we’ve got a few more trophies than they do, so I feel like it’s us. But ultimately, they’ve had a fantastic season, they beat us a few weeks ago, they’re hosting the final and if that’s what they think then take it. As Bobby said, the pressure is on them to be honest. We have four of these at home, this is our sixth final. We can lose and we’ll be alright, it’s not the intention of anyone in the room by any means, it’s a big game, we’re looking forward to it but we’re kind of playing with house money at the moment. So, we’ll see.” 

On having success and being a ‘villain’ at ATCO Field:

“I don’t really know if you can be the villain if you’re winning all the time. I think it’s kind of flipped there, no? But we as a collective have had success here, and I’m a byproduct of that. I’m not a guy who can just come in here and say I’m going to dribble [past] everyone, that’s not my strong suit. So I feel off the guys and the good players that we have in the room and when we’re playing as a collective I think we’re a very good squad. Obviously, this is a fun place to play, it’s a good venue, they have fantastic support, they’ve had fantastic support since 2019. It’s great to play in these games, it’s what you want to do. These guys love to cheer for me so I’m sure Saturday will be no different.”

Alessandro Hojabrpour, midfielder

On continuing to find motivation after having already played in so many finals:

“I think when you win it, it actually motivates you a little more. I think you want that feeling over and over again. Playing with such good players you see the quality we have and the opportunity that we have and you don’t really want to do anything else, it’s kind of contagious. So it becomes easier in my opinion.”

On playing against a quality Cavalry midfield:

“I think first off, Cavalry is always a combative team. I think that’s the hardest thing to play against in the midfield. You always want to play football on the ground but sometimes it becomes a battle, I think that’s the biggest thing you have to earn the right to play. I think then they just have quality players in the midfield that can move the ball around. They’re a good team in possession and that obviously goes through the midfield a lot. So we just have to be prepared to suffer sometimes off the ball and then when we have it do what we can with it.”