Canadian Premier League — Match #4
HFX Wanderers FC vs. Forge FC
May 4, 2019 — Wanderers Grounds (1 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. AT)
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca (Pre-show begins at 12:30 p.m. ET), CBC Gem

The Canadian Premier League’s first triple-header Saturday kicks off with an east coast affair in Halifax between HFX Wanderers and Forge FC.

It’s the first of three matches on Saturday, with Cavalry FC hosting York9 FC later in the day at Spruce Meadows (3:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. MT, available on OneSoccer – PREVIEW), and Valour FC rounding off the triple-header against FC Edmonton at Investors Group Field (6 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. MT, available on OneSoccer – PREVIEW).

It won’t be, however, either team’s first rodeo in this brand new league. Both sides opened their seasons last weekend, the inaugural weekend of CPL matches, with mixed results. Forge failed to convert on a number of chances, drawing York 1-1 in the inaugural match. A day later, the Wanderers dropped a 1-0 result on VanIsle to Pacific FC.

Despite the long, continent-wide trek home from the West Coast, expect the Wanderers to look energized by the club’s home opener.

Forge FC’s quick jaunt out east will follow a quick return home to Tim Hortons Field to host Pacific FC on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, OneSoccer). The Wanderers, meanwhile, will head to Winnipeg to take on Valour FC  at Investors Group Field on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT, OneSoccer).

KEYS TO THE MATCH

• Welcome, Wanderers Grounds: A sold-out Wanderers Grounds is awaiting Forge FC on their first trip out east. Professional soccer’s 21st-century arrival in Nova Scotia will likely be a loud one, as the crowd and atmosphere has promised to be intense. Will the Wanderers draw from the support? Will this be the start of Wanderers Grounds being the “fortress” of the CPL?
• Number 9: The Wanderers are still looking for their first goal in club history after the side failed to convert on VanIsle. They rarely looked threatening in that match, likely due to the absence of centre forward Luis Alberto Perea due to injury. If healthy, the strong 32-year-old Colombian could be the difference maker.
• Finish your chances: Forge proved in Match#1 they can play attractive, possession-based football. The Hamilton side generated 20 shots – and had 61% possession –  in the inaugural match but only converted once. Head coach Bobby Smyrniotis will need their attackers to be more clinical than they were at Tim Hortons Field, especially if the Halifax crowd gets on his players’ backs early.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

HFX Wanderers: Jan-Michael Williams; Zachary Sukunda, Chakib Hocine, Peter Schaale, Zele Langwa; Mohamed Kourouma, Kouame Ouattara, Elton John, Juan Diego Gutierrez, Akeem Garcia; Luis Alberto Perea

Forge FC: Triston Henry; Kwame Auwuah, Dominic Samuel, Bertrand Owundi Eko’o, Giuliano Frano; Alexander Achinioti Jonsson, Elimane Cisse, Chris Nanco, Kyle Bekker, Tristan Borges; Emery Welshman

HEAD-TO-HEAD

First meeting between these clubs

STATS LEADERS 

Kadell Thomas (Forge) – 1 goal

INJURIES

Johnthan Grant (Forge FC) – Questionable

Chakib Hocine (HFX Wanderers)  — Questionable

Luis Alberto Perea (HFX Wanderers) — Questionable

INTERNATIONAL DUTY

None

SUSPENSIONS

None

ACCUMULATION

None

REFEREES

Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin
Assistant Referees: Lyes Arfa & Travis Lefebvre