Huge crowd expected for soccer opener in Hamilton

The Canadian Premier League looks to kick off with a bang on Saturday with a large crowd at Tim Hortons Field expected for the opener between Hamilton’s Forge FC and visiting York 9 FC. Forge FC owner Bob Young is opening up the entire stadium — capacity is 23,000-plus, although it will be limited to some 10,000 for future games — and essentially giving away tickets for the historic first game.

Spectators will be asked to donate to youth soccer while season ticket holders who bought tickets for the game are getting free ones for a future contest.

“We may set an attendance record for Tim Hortons Field,” said commissioner David Clanachan. “I think it’s going to be great for Canadian soccer,” added Forge FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis. “It’s just great to see the buzz in the city, it’s great to see the buzz around the game.”

Said York 9 coach Jim Brennan: “It’s going to be great for the fans, it’s going to be great for the league, great for the country.”

What happens on the field is just as important as the scene in the stands for the fledgling seven-team league and coaches say the product won’t disappoint. Clanachan also says the new league will be distinctly Canadian. “I want the game to be entertaining and I want people to recognize that we’re going to create a style of play in this country that people will recognize us for as Canadians,” Clanachan said.

“Hard but fair. No cheating, no diving, no simulation. The way people expect Canadians to play any sport.”

Fourteen of the 20 players listed on the Forge FC roster are aged 24 or younger. On the York 9 side, 10 of the 21 players are 24 or younger. The new league continues play Sunday when Pacific FC hosts HFX Wanderers FC in Langford, B.C.