CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP – QUARTERFINAL

FORGE FC (9-1-7)  vs. VALOUR  FC (7-1-9)

When: Wednesday, September 15, 6:30 p.m. CDT

Where: Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Ont.

How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all CPL games live https://onesoccer.ca/

MATCH PREVIEW:

Valour FC and their rivals from Hamilton, Forge FC, take a break from regular Canadian Premier League action for the quarterfinal round of the Canadian Championship. Forge FC won the coin flip and as a result Valour heads to Steeltown for this matchup.

Valour FC won their first match in the 2021 Canadian Championship with a 3-2 victory over Atlético Ottawa in the nation’s capital back on August 21. Forge FC, meanwhile, had a bye in the first round of the single-knockout competition as the defending two-time CPL champions. Also receiving byes were 2019 Canadian Championship winners CF Montreal and Toronto FC.

An injury and suspension-ravaged Valour squad fell 3-0 to FC Edmonton in its last match and takes a three-game losing streak in league play into Wednesday’s match. York United FC knocked off Ottawa on Tuesday, officially dropping Valour of a playoff spot – with one less match played. Valour has won both meetings with Forge FC this season.

Forge fell 2-0 to York United on Saturday in the 905 Derby and is currently in third place in the CPL standings with a 9-1-7 mark, trailing Pacific FC (10-4-3) and Cavalry (9-4-4).

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3 VALOUR FC PLAYERS TO WATCH

#9 Austin Ricci, FW: His physical play makes him a handful for opposition defenders, but he can also create chances with his speed and his sheer will.

#8 Keven Aleman, MF: Valour could use more of his creativity on the attack. The veteran midfielder is especially effective feeding his teammates, but can be dangerous moving forward, too.

#12 Rocco Romeo, D: The big centre back instantly made his presence felt upon his arrival earlier in the season, and has now settled in to being a vocal leader, too.

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INJURED

Valour is without dominant centre back Andrew Jean-Baptiste, as he is out for the season with a torn ACL. Also on the mend are MF Andy Baquero and D Stefan Cebara.

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SCOUTING FORGE

“They’ve changed their shape and organization since the early days of the Kickoff bubble. There’s no doubt they are the best team in the East and over the past two-three years they’ve always found a way to win when they need to. They just get it done. It’s as strong a test as you’re going to get in our league, no doubt about it.” – Valour FC GM and head coach Rob Gale

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All-time Valour FC vs. Forge FC

Overall: (win-draw-loss): 2-1-5

May 16, 2019, IG Field: Valour FC 0 Forge FC 2

June 15, 2019, Tim Hortons Field: Forge FC 2 Valour FC 1

July 20, 2019, Tim Hortons Field: Forge FC 3 Valour FC 1

August 17, 2019, IG Field: Valour FC 1 Forge FC 3

September 12, 2019, IG Field: Valour FC 1 Forge FC 3

September 4, 2020, Island Games, PEI: Forge FC 2 Valour FC 2

June 27, 2021, ‘The Kickoff’ at IG Field: Forge FC 0 Valour FC 2

July 11, 2021, ‘The Kickoff at IG Field: Valour FC 1 Forge FC 0

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TO DATE

Match 1: Sunday, June 27 — Forge FC 0 Valour FC 2

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/we-know-we-have-a-strong-supporting-cast-it-didnt-really-matter-about-the-outside-noise-we-had-a-gameplan-and-it-worked-well-valour-fc-2-forge-fc-0

Match 2: Wednesday, June 30 – Valour FC 2 HFX Wanderers FC 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/10553

Match 3: Saturday, July 3 – Valour FC 2 Atlético Ottawa 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/it-was-very-emotional-its-special-valour-fc-2-atletico-ottawa-0

Match 4: Wednesday, July 7 — York United FC 2 Valour FC 1

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/like-ive-said-many-times-before-its-a-reward-for-the-manitoba-people-valour-fc-1-york-united-fc-2

Match 5: Sunday, July 11 – Valour FC 1 Forge FC 0.

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/we-know-player-for-player-ill-take-us-against-anyone-in-the-league-and-i-think-were-showing-that-after-five-games-so-far-valour-fc-1-forge-fc-0

Match 6: Thursday, July 15 — Atlético Ottawa 0 Valour FC 1

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/10764

Match 7: Sunday, July 18  — Valour FC 3 York United FC 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/weve-got-a-room-full-of-leaders-it-doesnt-matter-who-takes-the-arm-band-valour-fc-3-york-united-0

Match 8: Saturday, July 24 — HFX Wanderers 1 Valour FC 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/hes-a-top-class-goalie-hes-been-the-best-goalkeeper-in-the-league-valour-fc-0-hfx-wanderers-fc-1

Match 9: Saturday, July 31 – FC Edmonton 3 Valour FC 1

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/10901

Match 10: Wednesday, August 4 – Pacific FC 2 Valour FC 1

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/10938

Match 11: Sunday, August 8 – Cavalry FC 1 Valour FC 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/10956

Match 12: Thursday, August 12 – FC Edmonton 0 Valour FC 0

Recap:  https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/it-takes-the-right-type-of-people-in-the-locker-room-to-go-out-and-get-road-performances-valour-fc-0-fc-edmonton-0

Match 13: Monday, August 16 – Valour FC 0 Pacific FC 2

https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/weve-got-to-find-ourselves-out-of-it-the-boys-are-working-very-hard-in-the-very-limited-training-sessions-that-we-have-valour-fc-0-pacific-fc-2

Canadian Championship: Saturday, August 21 – Atlético Ottawa 2 Valour FC 3

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/match-analysis-atletico-ottawa-2-3-valour-fc-canadian-championship

Match 14: Tuesday, August 24 – Valour FC 3 FC Edmonton 0

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/we-felt-confident-going-into-ottawa-and-we-continued-where-we-left-off-on-the-front-foot-valour-3-fc-edmonton-0

Match 15: Sunday, August 29 – Pacific FC 3 Valour FC 2

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/match-analysis-pacific-fc-3-2-valour-fc

Match 16: Saturday, September 4 – Valour FC 0 Cavalry FC 1

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/match-analysis-valour-fc-0-1-cavalry-fc

Match 17: Tuesday, September 7 – Valour FC 0 FC Edmonton 3

Recap: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/article/match-recap-valour-fc-0-fc-edmonton-3