HFX Wanderers FC take on Forge FC on Saturday in the CPL Final (2 pm ET/3 pm AT, CBC & OneSoccer) in one of the biggest Canadian soccer matches of the season.

Not only does the winner get to hoist the North Star Shield, but it will also earn a CONCACAF League berth, and play Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship final

The Island Games has put on one heck of a show thus far, and Saturday should be no exception, with Forge looking to keep hold of the CPL crown and the upstart Wanderers trying to defy the critics and deliver a championship to their raucous fans in Halifax.

Here are five things to watch for on Saturday.

RELATED READING: How do Forge and HFX Wanderers compare position by position?

Schaale-Geffrard: HFX’s unsung heroes

HFX centre backs Peter Schaale and Jems Geffrard featured in every single minute at The Island Games – (up until to their dead-rubber against Pacific) – and have been unmatched by any other defensive pair. Schaale, a fan-favourite from the Wanderers’ 2019 squad, has found an equally intelligent defender in Geffrard, who’s been one of the best league newcomers in PEI.

As coach Stephen Hart suggested, the Schaale-Geffrard partnership has allowed the side to push up and press the opposition.

“They’ve created a nice little understanding – it gives you a little more confidence to venture further forward,” Hart said of fullbacks Jake Ruby, Chrisnovic N’sa, and Mateo Restrepo.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, among them in terms of being demanding and communicating better, but yeah, I’m pleased with the pairing.”

Shape-shifting Forge FC

Forge has utilized a more a counter-attacking style in recent second-round games, something coach Bobby Smyrniotis likened to an experiment. It’s quite the shift for Forge who rarely concede more possession to their opponents. In fact, Forge’s second-round tilt against Pacific FC was the lowest single-match possession percentage (32 per cent) the side has ever recorded in CPL play.

Reading between the lines, it appears the Forge coaching staff has installed a Plan B if they encounter a Wanderers side fighting for possession and run-of-play control.

Perhaps a possession-based game is the best way to play against the Wanderers, even as Forge arrives more fatigued and injury-riddled. But, with the power of choice, flexibility could be a major advantage for Forge.

RELATED READING: HFX Wanderers embrace their 1st CPL Final and Halifax fans: ‘We love you’

Johnny Grant as a winger

Here’s a name to watch for on Saturday: Johnny Grant.

In one of the best tactical moves of The Island Games, Smyrniotis installed Grant at winger in the second round, allowing the fullback to play further up where his bombing pace, direct running, and physicality can greater influence games. Grant’s first appearance up top vs. Pacific FC was a smashing success. Smyrniotis instructed the 26-year-old to get in-behind an advanced Kadin Chung, exploiting the empty space required to support winger Marco Bustos. Grant earned a penalty that way, forcing Chung out of his comfort zone.

GOAL ? | #CanPL ?

Daniel Krutzen from the spot!@ForgeFCHamilton get on the board first after Kadin Chung brings Johnny Grant down in the box

FOR 1-0 PAC | 35'

?: https://t.co/hishXepRT3#IslandGames pic.twitter.com/hQ0FuecHSd

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) September 12, 2020

Teammate Chris Nanco suggested Grant is the fastest player on Forge on a recent Instagram Live session – high praise, considering Grant has taken his former Sigma teammate’s spot in the starting XI.

HFX’s dynamic duo of Garcia & Morelli

If you re-watch Forge vs. HFX from the second round, one thing is clear right away: The Wanderers were in control over the first five minutes.

Forge midfielder Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson’s gaffes led to two massive scoring opportunities in under three minutes for HFX – a pass back and an attempt to dribble out of pressure from the front two of Garcia and Morelli.

GOAL ? | #CanPL ?@HFXWanderersFC strike first!

Akeem Garcia (of course) opens the scoring early, catching @ForgeFCHamilton slipping at the back before burying his 5th at the #IslandGames

HFX 1-0 FOR | 4'

?: https://t.co/S1fIuqGe5w pic.twitter.com/OGKXl2I608

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) September 9, 2020

Perhaps Smyrniotis might consider playing two central defensive midfielders, or be more cautious in their build-up play to deal with HFX’s pressure. Also, if you neutralize the inside, it puts more pressure on Cory Bent and Alex Marshall to deliver on the wings – the latter is best cutting inside, anyways. If you draw a left fullback to mark Marshall, you’ll be able to create a tidy three-on-ones that will force HFX back into defence.

Championship Final jitters

Forge has been here before. HFX Wanderers will act like they have been.

Truth be told, Forge is the most battle-hardened team in the CPL with Finals 2019 and Concacaf League performances under their belts.

It’s a tall task for the Wanderers who enter their first final in club history – and the first professional final for many players on the team. Maybe the neutral venue will help the Wanderers get over those jitters?