It didn’t require an Olimpico or extra time dramatics, but the first CPL match at Tim Hortons Field of 2024 was eerily similar to the last meeting between Forge FC and Cavalry in the 2023 CPL Final — with Forge again prevailing 2-1.

Just as they did in October, Cavalry opened the scoring on Saturday through a lovely flicked header from Sergio Camargo. But Forge responded quickly with two quick goals through Tristan Borges and Béni Badibanga, the two goalscorers in the 2023 final.

The stages of the match were rather cagey as both sides adjusted to the windy conditions at Tim Hortons Field.

Tobias Warschewski was the first to truly threaten either goal in the 16th minute. The German forward turned his defender and unleashed a powerful strike that just missed the top right corner.

Forge had a chance of their own just a few minutes later, and a beautiful flowing movement saw Tristan Borges burst into the box and fire a cross in the direction of David Choinière. The Forge attacker chested the ball goalward, but it was ultimately a tame effort that drifted wide.

Cavalry started to cause problems for Forge, particularly down the left flank, as the half wore on. Sergio Camargo shifted over to cause an overload and nearly combined with Warschewski on a few occasions on low crosses through the Forge box. Malik Owolabi-Belewu, in particular, was outstanding at the back with some quality last-second interventions on Cavalry’s chances.

Forge replied with a few strikes from distance late in the half through Borges and Bekker, both of which were well above Marco Carducci’s goal. In the end, neither team were able to manage a shot on target through the opening 45, and the match remained 0-0.

Cavalry had a few half chances to start the second half, the best of which saw Shamit Shome find Camargo in the box, but his shot slipped wide of Chris Kalongo’s left post.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their reputation for set-piece mastery, Cavalry opened the scoring in the 60th minute on a corner kick. Ali Musse’s near post cross was flicked by Camargo over Kalongo and into the back of the net, giving Cavalry a 1-0 lead. It was the first shot on target by either team.

Ten minutes later, however, Forge replied, Borges took advantage of a moment of chaos in the Cavalry box. He created a bit of space for himself, and sent a low strike through a sea of legs and past Carducci to equalize.

The moment seemed to ignite Forge, as they added a second just six minutes later. Badibanga played a beautiful one-two with Borges, before a strike that deflected off a Cavalry defender and fooled Carducci.

Cavalry continued to look for an equalizer of their own deep into the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Forge were able to hold on for the three points — with Amadou Koné making his professional debut in the dying moments.

Forge collected a league-leading 17 points from losing positions last season, including 13 at home alone. They began the 2024 season with yet another comeback against rivals Cavalry — the first time they have ever won on the opening day of the season.

Lineups

Forge FC: Kalongo; Duncan (Samuel 71′), Owolabi-Belewu, Achinioti-Jönsson, Parra; Hojabrpour, Bekker, Borges (Kane 80′); Choinière (Poku 80′), Badibanga (Koné 90+6′), Campbell (Hamilton 80′) 

Cavalry FC: Carducci; Shome, Montgomery, Klomp, Kobza, Kamdem (Dias 87′); Gutiérrez, Trafford (Aird 72′), Camargo (Brooks 72′); Musse (Akio 72′), Warschewski (Shaw 80′) 

Goals

60′ — Sergio Camargo (Cavalry FC)
70′ — Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
76′ — Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)

Discipline

44′ — Yellow: Béni Badibanga (Forge FC)
52′ — Yellow: Daniel Parra (Forge FC)
55′ — Yellow: Daan Klomp (Cavalry FC)
83′ — Yellow: Malik Owolabi-Belewu (Forge FC)