Forge open new season at home on April 15

Reigning champion Forge FC will face their historic archrivals on opening day, and in late June will play host to the team they defeated for their third Canadian Premier League title. The league released its full 2023 schedule Monday.

Cavalry FC, whom the Hamilton side defeated in the first CPL final in 2019 and eliminated in last year’s semifinal, visits Tim Hortons Field for the Forge’s home opener April 15 at 4 p.m. On June 25, Atlético Ottawa comes to town for a 6 p.m. start and a rematch of last October’s CPL final which the Forge won, 2-0, in Ottawa.

The 28-game balanced schedule — two home, two away against each of the other seven CPL clubs — will take on even more importance than determining playoff spots this year. The league has created an award, and financial payments, to the regular-season winner. In addition, with the CONCACAF Champions League being reconfigured, both the 2023 CPL’s regular-season winner and title-game champion will earn automatic berths in the continent’s top club-team tournament for 2024. Forge FC is the only CPL team which has ever played in Champions League.

Despite capturing three of the league’s overall championships, Forge has never finished first during the regular season. They have also never won a title on Hamilton soil, losing the 2022 final at home to Pacific FC in their only opportunity to clinch at home.

The Hammers, who have recently signed cornerstone players Ashtone Morgan, David Choinière and Triston Henry to new deals, will also end the regular season at home against Ottawa, on Oct. 7, the weekend before playoffs begin. Regional rivals York United visit Hamilton for “QEW Derby” instalments on May 31 and Aug. 12.

The Forge will find out their opening opponents for the 2023 Canadian championship tournament in Tuesday’s Soccer Canada draw ceremony.

The full Forge schedule is online at forgefc.canpl.ca/schedule and ticket information can be obtained by phoning 905-527-3674 or online at tickets@forgefootball.club.