The Cavalry–Forge rivalry refers to a soccer rivalry which has grown between Calgary-based Cavalry FC and Forge FC of Hamilton, Ontario. The two clubs began play in 2019 and faced each other nine times that season with all matches being decided by one goal or fewer. The clubs were the top teams in the inaugural Canadian Premier League season and the natural rivalry that developed between them has been described as the best in the league.
First meeting | Forge 1–2 Cavalry Canadian Premier League (May 12, 2019) |
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Latest meeting | Cavalry 2–1 Forge CPL Final (November 9, 2024) |
Stadiums | ATCO Field, Foothills County Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 32 |
Top scorer | Kyle Bekker (7) |
All-time series | Forge: 14–8–10 |
Largest victory | Cavalry 3–0 Forge Canadian Premier League August 4, 2023 |
Longest win streak | Forge (3) Oct 16–Nov 2, 2019 |
Longest unbeaten streak | Forge (6) Oct 16, 2019–Jul 8, 2021 |
Postseason history | |
Total series won: Cavalry 1–4 Forge
|
History
edit2019
editThe first match between Cavalry and Forge was played on May 12, 2019, at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. Cavalry won the game 2–1 with the winning goal from Nico Pasquotti coming late in stoppage time.[1] The following month, the two clubs met in the second round of the 2019 Canadian Championship. Once again, Cavalry scored late into stoppage time in Hamilton; this time on a penalty kick to equalize after Forge goalkeeper Quillan Roberts was sent off for a foul.[2] The drama continued after the match when a scrum broke out between the two teams with opposing players exchanging pushes and shouts.[3]
The day after the match, Cavalry player Jordan Brown accused Forge FC coach Peter Reynders of using racist remarks during the post game scrum, a claim which was supported by his teammates Elijah Adekugbe and Nathan Mavila.[4] Following an investigation, Reynders was initially found to be guilty by the Canadian Soccer Association and suspended 45 days for the incident, however the decision was overturned on appeal.[5] In June 2020, Forge players defended Reynders publicly.[6] The case was referred to a third party, and Reynders was cleared of the charges in August 2020.[7] The match and subsequent allegations are considered to be the first significant moment of the rivalry.[8] In the return leg of the Canadian Championship tie at ATCO Field, Cavalry won 2–1 to advance in the competition.[9]
On June 22, 2019, Forge and Cavalry faced off for the fourth time that season and the third time in 19 days. With a draw, Cavalry could clinch the top record in the 10-game spring season while Forge needed a win to remain in contention.[10] Forge won the game 1–0 on an early goal from captain Kyle Bekker, ending Cavalry's run of seven straight wins to start the season.[11] Cavalry won their following game on June 26 to claim the spring title and a spot in the 2019 Canadian Premier League Finals. Forge secured their place in the finals with a win on September 28.[12]
Forge hosted the first leg of the 2019 CPL Finals on October 26 in Hamilton. In the 37th minute, Cavalry defender Joel Waterman handled the ball in his own penalty area while sliding to prevent a scoring chance. Waterman was sent off and Forge was awarded a penalty kick. League-leading scorer Tristan Borges took the penalty kick but it was stopped by Marco Carducci to keep the game scoreless. Late into first half stoppage time, Borges scored the game's only goal, beating Carducci with a left-footed strike to give Forge the lead going into halftime.[13] In the 69th minute, a challenge between Borges and Jay Wheeldon of Cavalry sent both players to the ground. As a result of the play, Borges was shown a red card and both teams finished the match with 10 players.[14][15] After the match, Cavalry and Forge appealed their respective red cards to the Canadian Soccer Association but only the suspension to Forge's Tristan Borges was overturned, allowing him to play in the second leg.[16][17] During the second leg in Calgary on November 2, a total of seven yellow cards were issued.[18] Forge scored the game's only goal late in stoppage time and won the series 2–0 on aggregate, becoming the first-ever champions of the Canadian Premier League.
In all, Forge and Cavalry played nine matches against each other in 2019 across all competitions with all matches decided by one goal or fewer.[19]
2020–2022
editThe season opener of the 2020 CPL Island Games was chosen to be a rematch of the 2019 final. The match ended a 2–2 draw with Cavalry equalizing in the 94th minute with a controversial penalty kick.[20] Forge would get their revenge by defeating Cavalry 1–0 in their final group stage match to clinch a spot in the 2020 Canadian Premier League Final while also eliminating Cavalry.[21]
In their fourth and final regular season meeting of 2022, Forge defeated Cavalry in a match that featured three goals and three red cards.[22] The two clubs ended the regular season with identical records (14–5–9), finishing 2nd and 3rd and earning a meeting in the CPL semifinals.[23] Following a 1–1 draw in the first leg, Forge won 3–2 on aggregate to advance to its fourth consecutive CPL Final.[24] In the tie's second leg, Kyle Bekker of Forge and David Norman Jr. of Cavalry were both sent off within five minutes of each other in the first half.
Results
editCavalry FC win Draw Forge FC win
Season | Competition | Date | Home team | Result | Away team | Venue | Attendance | Recap | Series |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Canadian Premier League | May 12, 2019 | Forge | 1–2 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 5,921 | [25] | CAV: 1–0–0 |
Canadian Championship | June 4, 2019 | Forge | 1–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 5,174 | [26] | CAV: 1–1–0 | |
June 11, 2019 | Cavalry | 2–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 4,000 | [27] | CAV: 2–1–0 | ||
Canadian Premier League | June 22, 2019 | Cavalry | 0–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 4,697 | [28] | CAV: 2–1–1 | |
August 25, 2019 | Forge | 1–0 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 6,883 | [29] | Tied: 2–1–2 | ||
October 9, 2019 | Cavalry | 2–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 1,938 | [30] | CAV: 3–1–2 | ||
October 16, 2019 | Forge | 1–0 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 3,864 | [31] | Tied: 3–1–3 | ||
CPL Finals | October 26, 2019 | Forge | 1–0 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 10,486 | [32] | FOR: 4–1–3 | |
November 2, 2019 | Cavalry | 0–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 5,831 | [33] | FOR: 5–1–3 | ||
2020 | Canadian Premier League | August 13, 2020 | Forge | 2–2 | Cavalry | Alumni Field, Charlottetown | 0 | [34] | FOR: 5–2–3 |
September 15, 2020 | Cavalry | 0–1 | Forge | Alumni Field, Charlottetown | 0 | [35] | FOR: 6–2–3 | ||
2021 | Canadian Premier League | July 8, 2021 | Cavalry | 0–2 | Forge | IG Field, Winnipeg | 0 | [36] | FOR: 7–2–3 |
July 22, 2021 | Forge | 1–2 | Cavalry | IG Field, Winnipeg | 0 | [37] | FOR: 7–2–4 | ||
November 16, 2021 | Forge | 0–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 2,104 | [38] | FOR: 7–2–5 | ||
2022 | Canadian Premier League | April 16, 2022 | Forge | 2–2 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 3,688 | [39] | FOR: 7–3–5 |
July 27, 2022 | Cavalry | 1–2 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 2,989 | [40] | FOR: 8–3–5 | ||
August 12, 2022 | Cavalry | 2–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 3,945 | [41] | FOR: 8–3–6 | ||
September 10, 2022 | Forge | 2–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 4,992 | [42] | FOR: 9–3–6 | ||
CPL Playoffs | October 15, 2022 | Cavalry | 1–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 3,179 | [43] | FOR: 9–4–6 | |
October 23, 2022 | Forge | 2–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 7,133 | [44] | FOR: 10–4–6 | ||
2023 | Canadian Premier League | April 15, 2023 | Forge | 2–2 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 6,892 | [45] | FOR: 10–5–6 |
June 3, 2023 | Cavalry | 1–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 3,503 | [46] | FOR: 10–6–6 | ||
August 4, 2023 | Cavalry | 3–0 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 4,106 | [47] | FOR: 10–6–7 | ||
September 9, 2023 | Forge | 0–0 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 6,751 | [48] | FOR: 10–7–7 | ||
CPL Playoffs | October 14, 2023 | Cavalry | 1–2 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 4,385 | [49] | FOR: 11–7–7 | |
CPL Final | October 28, 2023 | Forge | 2–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 13,925 | [50] | FOR: 12–7–7 | |
2024 | Canadian Premier League | April 13, 2024 | Forge | 2–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 7,395 | [51] | FOR: 13–7–7 |
June 8, 2024 | Cavalry | 1–0 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 4,691 | [52] | FOR: 13–7–8 | ||
July 21, 2024 | Cavalry | 1–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 4,569 | [53] | FOR: 13–8–8 | ||
September 7, 2024 | Forge | 2–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 4,671 | [54] | FOR: 14–8–8 | ||
CPL Playoffs | October 27, 2024 | Forge | 0–1 | Cavalry | Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton | 6,521 | [55] | FOR: 14–8–9 | |
CPL Final | November 9, 2024 | Cavalry | 2–1 | Forge | ATCO Field, Foothills County | 7,052 | [56] | FOR: 14–8–10 |
Statistics
edit- As of November 9, 2024
Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Goals | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cavalry | Forge | Cavalry | Forge | |||
Canadian Premier League | 22 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 25 | 26 |
CPL Playoffs | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 10 |
Canadian Championship | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Total matches | 32 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 35 | 38 |
League ranking by season
editP. | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | Fall | Finals | 1st | 2nd | Final | Season | Playoffs | Season | Playoffs | Season | Playoffs | Season | Playoffs | |
1 | 1 | 1 | C | 1 | 1 | C | 1 | C | 1 | C | 1 | C | ||
2 | 2 | 2 | RU | 2 | RU | 2 | 2 | RU | 2 | RU | ||||
3 | 3 | 3 | SF | 3 | SF | |||||||||
4 | ||||||||||||||
5 | ||||||||||||||
6 | ||||||||||||||
7 | ||||||||||||||
8 |
Post-season and cup results
editSeason | Round | Advanced | Score(s) |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Finals | Forge | 2–0 on aggregate |
2022 | Semi-finals | Forge | 3–2 on aggregate |
2023 | First semifinal | Forge | 2–1 |
Final | Forge | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | |
2024 | First semifinal | Cavalry | 1–0 |
Final | Cavalry | 2–1 |
Season | Round | Advanced | Score(s) |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Second qualifying round | Cavalry | 3–2 on aggregate |
Records
edit
Top goalscorersedit
|
Clean sheetsedit
|
Players in bold are still active players with a team.
Discipline
edit- As of November 9, 2024
Player | Club | Date | Competition | Minute | Type | Score | Final |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quillan Roberts | Forge (h) | Jun 4, 2019 | Canadian Championship | 90+4' | 1–0 | 1–1 | |
Dominic Samuel | Forge (h) | Oct 16, 2019 | League | 71' | 1–0 | 1–0 | |
Joel Waterman | Cavalry (a) | Oct 26, 2019 | CPL Finals | 37' | 0–0 | 1–0 | |
Tristan Borges[a] | Forge (h) | 69' | [a] | 1–0 | |||
Kyle Bekker | Forge (h) | Sep 10, 2022 | League | 70' | 2–1 | 2–1 | |
Joseph Di Chiara | Cavalry (a) | 86' | 2–1 | ||||
Mikaël Cantave | Cavalry (a) | 90+5' | 2–1 | ||||
Kyle Bekker (2) | Forge (h) | Oct 23, 2022 | CPL Playoffs | 43' | 0–0 | 2–1 | |
David Norman Jr. | Cavalry (a) | 45+3' | 0–0 | ||||
Khadim Kane | Forge (a) | June 8, 2024 | League | 89 | 1–0 | 1–0 | |
Daniel Parra | Forge (a) | July 21, 2024 | 82 | 1–1 | 1–1 |
- ^ a b Borges's red card was rescinded by Canada Soccer after the match.[57]
Players who played for both clubs
editForge, then Cavalry
edit- Anthony Novak (Forge: 2019–2020, Cavalry: 2021–2022)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Pasquotti's last-gasp goal gives Cavalry win over Forge". Canadian Premier League. May 12, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Strasser, Scott (June 6, 2019). "Cavalry/Forge rivalry on full display in Canadian Championship draw but unsavoury aftermath and allegations dominate postgame chat". AFTN. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Milton, Steve (October 21, 2019). "It's a blood feud between Forge and Cavalry for first CPL title". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ John Jacques (June 5, 2019). "Cavalry FC Players Accuse Forge FC Assistant Coach Of Making Racist Remarks". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Todd Saelhof (August 27, 2019). "Forge FC assistant coach banned by CSA for discriminatory remarks". Calgary Sun.
- ^ Steve Milton (June 15, 2020). "Hamilton Forge takes fire for allegations against coach". Hamilton Spectator.
- ^ Neil Davidson (August 11, 2020). "Independent review clears Forge FC assistant coach of racism charge". Midland Press.
- ^ Jacques, John (June 5, 2019). "In Forge and Cavalry Lies The League's Best Rivalry". Northern Tribune. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Spencer, Donna (June 11, 2019). "Cavalry beat Forge FC, face Vancouver Whitecaps in 3rd round of Canadian Championship". The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
- ^ "'They're not unbeatable': Bekker ready for must-win Cavalry tilt". Canadian Premier League. June 21, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ "Forge hands Cavalry 1st loss as Spring race intensifies". Canadian Premier League. June 22, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Saelhof, Todd (September 28, 2019). "Undermanned Cavalry guts out point in draw with host York9". Calgary Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Milton, Steve (October 28, 2019). "Forge downs Cavalry, but loses top scorer for second half of CPL final". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ Jaques, John (October 27, 2019). "Forge Takes First Leg Of CPL Finals". Northern Tribune. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ Molinaro, John (October 26, 2019). "Highlights: Borges, Carducci shine in red-card laden Leg 1 tilt". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ "Forge FC and Cavalry FC both appeal controversial red cards from CPL Finals leg one". Waking The Red. October 27, 2019. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ "Forge FC's Tristan Borges wins appeal, will play 2nd leg of final". Sportsnet.ca. Canadian Press. October 31, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (November 2, 2019). "Forge FC crowned CPL champions in win over Cavalry (EN/FR)". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Greer, Remy (November 2, 2019). "Forge knock off Cavalry to take inaugural CPL finals". Western Wheel. Great West Media. Archived from the original on September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- ^ "Cavalry salvages controversial draw with Forge in CPL's Island Games opener". www.sportsnet.ca. Canadian Press. August 13, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ Quon, Alexander (September 15, 2020). "HFX Wanderers, Forge FC advance to CPL final as Cavalry FC knocked out of Island Games". Global News. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ "Highlights: Forge FC vs Cavalry FC (September 10, 2022)". onesoccer.ca. September 10, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
- ^ "Preview: Cavalry FC vs. Forge FC -- CPL Semifinals (Leg 1)". Canadian Premier League. October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
- ^ Zamperin, Rick (October 23, 2022). "Hamilton's Forge FC beat Cavalry, advance to CPL final". Global News. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
- ^ "Forge FC 1 - 2 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. May 12, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 1 - 1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Soccer Association. June 4, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Soccer Association. June 11, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 0 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. June 22, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 1 - 0 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. August 25, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. October 9, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 1 - 0 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. October 16, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 1 - 0 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. October 26, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 0 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. November 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 2 - 2 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 0 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 0 - 2 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. July 7, 2021. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 1 - 2 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. July 22, 2021. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 0 - 1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. November 16, 2021. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 2 - 2 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. April 16, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 1 - 2 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. July 27, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. August 12, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 2 - 1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. September 10, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 1 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. October 15, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 2 - 1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. October 23, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 2 - 2 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. April 15, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 1 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. June 3, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 3 - 0 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. August 4, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Forge FC 0 - 0 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. September 9, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 1 - 2 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. October 14, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
- ^ "Highlights: Forge FC 2-1 Cavalry FC (a.e.t) -- 2023 CPL Final". Canadian Premier League. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ "Highlights: Forge FC 2-1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 1 - 0 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. June 8, 2024. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 1 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. July 21, 2024. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Forge FC 2 - 1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ "Forge FC 0 - 1 Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League. October 27, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC". Canadian Premier League. November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "Forge FC's Tristan Borges wins appeal, will play 2nd leg of final". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. October 31, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
Sources
edit- O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (October 24, 2023). "Remembering 5 great Forge-Cavalry clashes before CPL Final rematch". Canadian Premier League. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.