Forge FC defeats Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in Canadian Championship play
HAMILTON – Mo Babouli scored twice as Forge FC defeated Halifax Wanderers 3-1in Telus Canadian Championship preliminary-round play Wednesday.
Forge also profited from a Halifax own goal. Thomas Meilleur-Giguère scored for Halifax.
Forge moves on to face CF Montreal in the two-legged quarterfinals in a familiar matchup. Forge FC's David Choiniere moves the ball against the Halifax Wanderers during Canadian Championship preliminary-round soccer action in Hamilton in this Wednesday, May 7, 2025 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Forge FC, Jojo Yanjiao Qian *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Forge lost to Montreal in cup semifinals in 2021 and 2023. Montreal blanked Forge 3-0 in the 2022 quarterfinal while Forge beat Montreal 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 quarterfinal.
In the final preliminary-round game Wednesday, League1 B.C. champion TSS Rovers played at Valour FC.
CF Montreal, Atletico Ottawa, Cavalry FC, York United and Vancouver FC have already won their preliminary-round games. The three-time defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps received a bye.
In other quarterfinals already set, it's Vancouver FC versus Cavalry FC, Atletico Ottawa versus York United and CF Montreal versus TSS Rovers or Valour FC.
Halifax and Forge played to a scoreless draw in Halifax in league play Saturday.
Halifax (3-0-2) currently sits second in the Canadian Premier League standings, two points above third-place Forge (2-0-3).
Forge had the better of the early action Wednesday and Choiniere missed a glorious chance in the 16th minute when, unmarked, he sent a shot just wide from close range.
The home side went ahead in the 22nd minute when captain Kyle Bekker, after a give and go with Tristan Borges, found Babouli in a crowded penalty box and the former Toronto FC man hammered a close-range shot past Halifax 'keeper Yuba-Rayane Yesli.
Forge added another four minutes late via a Kareem Sow own goal when the Halifax defender's attempted headed clearance of a Choiniere cross into the penalty box looped into the goal past a diving Yesli.
Halifax finally began to find its footing late in the half and came on strong.
An unmarked Meilleur-Giguère cut the lead in the 41st minute with a headed goal off a Giorgio Probo corner that had Forge goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat rooted to the spot. The set piece was triggered by a hard shot from Adam Pearlman that Koleilat pushed out of touch.
A minute later, Koleilat made an acrobatic save to push a long-range rocket from Sean Rea over the crossbar.
Both teams had five shots in the first half with Halifax holding a 3-2 edge in shots on target. The visitors had 55 per cent possession.
Yesli made a fine save in the 79th minute to stop a Bekker free kick.
Babouli added an insurance goal in the 91st minute, knocking home a Opoku Ampomah cross that just eluded a Halifax defender.
Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up
Forge made the cup final in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition, losing to Toronto FC in a tournament reduced to a championship game.
Halifax has never made it past the quarterfinals and was upset in the first round last year by Ligue1 Quebec's CS St-Laurent in a penalty shootout.
Halifax, meanwhile, has never won in Hamilton in any competition
—
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Canada soccer coach claims Vancouver Whitecaps players were 'poisoned' during cup final trip to Mexico
Social Sharing Canada coach Jesse Marsch expressed outrage Friday, saying Vancouver Whitecaps players had been "poisoned" during their visit to Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. The Whitecaps issued a statement Thursday saying about half of the 75 people who returned to Vancouver on the team's charter plane after Sunday's game had reported symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness. Whitecaps players Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe and Jayden Nelson missed training after arriving sick in the Canadian camp in Halifax ahead of Saturday's game at Toronto's BMO Field between Canada and Ukraine in the inaugural Canadian Shield tournament. "They're better now," Marsch said before speaking at a Canada Ukraine Foundation breakfast Friday. "They're probably not ready for 90-minute performances [Saturday]. But for me, it's appalling that this is the second year in a row that CONCACAF and the powers that be have allowed an MLS team to go down to Mexico for a big final and get poisoned. "It's ridiculous. Something has to be done to protect these environments." The Columbus Crew also complained of stomach illness after their loss at Mexico's CF Pachuca in last year's Champions Cup final. Crew coach Wilfried Nancy confirmed afterwards that nearly the entire roster and coaching staff had been stricken by what the club believed to be food poisoning. Marsch acknowledged he had no proof of poisoning but added, "It's not random that two years in a row that this has happened." "If I were the Vancouver Whitecaps, if I was the Columbus Crew, if I was MLS, I would be angry. I would be absolutely angry that this had been allowed to happen," he said. Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen said Friday that he doesn't believe someone intentionally got his team sick. "I don't expect us to be deliberately poisoned or anything when we were down there. But I don't know," he said. Marsch has experience of being at the receiving end of dark arts while visiting Mexico with the U.S. or a club team, citing fire alarms in the middle of the night and dancing and singing outside their hotel. "And those are somewhat spirited, competitive advantages that are created when you go down to Mexico," he said. "But poisoning the team is another version." WATCH | Preview of the 2025 Gold Cup: Just Soccer: Gold Cup preview, plus NSL Top Plays 2 days ago Duration 12:51 Andi Petrillo chats with former USMNT player and analyst Sacha Kljestan to preview the 2025 Gold Cup. With Canada under head coach Jesse Marsch, Kljestan breaks down the key storylines for Canada. Marsch said his understanding was that the Whitecaps were suffering from food poisoning. Vancouver arrived in Mexico City last Friday and were trounced 5-0 by Cruz Azul in Sunday's final of CONCACAF's elite club competition. "Not only have we lost the game, also we have picked up some sort of a virus and are dealing with that right now," Vancouver sporting director and CEO Axel Schuster told reporters Thursday. Schuster said it was "unlikely" any of Vancouver's players experienced symptoms during the game. The club said in a statement Thursday that it is working with local health authorities and an infectious disease expert regarding the illness. The Whitecaps cancelled a planned training session on Wednesday and held a modified individual session on Thursday for players who had been cleared by medical staff. Some players returned to the field for training on Friday, but left the session early, Sorensen said. Vancouver is scheduled to host the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, but Sorensen said he can't envision his team being ready for the game. "I don't want to risk our players. That's the most important thing for me. The most important thing is the health and care for the players," the coach said. "For now, it looks difficult for us to put up a team for a game that we should be able to compete in the MLS. But that's just my opinion." When asked after training Friday, Marsch did not retreat from his comments. "It's obvious, you don't run into two years and a final and MLS teams getting food poisoning," he said. "I get it, why they can't say anything. They're not sure, and I'm not sure either. But this is too much of a coincidence. It's a shame." CONCACAF declined to comment on Marsch's assertion. While the confederation takes total control of the Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League, it acts in more of a support role in the Champions Cup. It offers financial support and, if needed, logistical advice to teams competing in the club competition.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio added to Canada roster for Canadian Shield
TORONTO – Canada has called Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio into camp for the Canadian Shield Tournament. The 32-year-old midfielder was sidelined with a shoulder injury April 30 in a Canadian Championship loss to CF Montreal, returning May 24 off the bench in an MLS game against Nashville SC. Osorio has made two starts since. Canada coach Jesse Marsch had initially opted to leave Osorio off the Canadian Shield roster, calling him up instead for the CONCACAF Gold Cup later this month. But now the veteran, who has won 84 caps for Canada, is back in the fold. The 30th-ranked Canadian men host No. 25 Ukraine on Saturday before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday. No. 86 New Zealand is also taking part in the tournament. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Maritime Messi's family supports soccer dreams as Team Canada lands on the East Coast
Playing on Nova Scotian soil was nothing new for Jacob Shaffelburg, but representing his country while doing so was a first. 'It was cool. I mean, I've kind of had a bit of it when I played here a long time ago,' explained Shaffelburg of the fans cheering his name when he stepped on the grass at the Wanderers Grounds Tuesday. 'So it kind of brought back some memories, but, coming back with the national team, this is a much different feeling and a lot of pride.' As part of an initiative started by head coach Jesse Marsch, the men's national team is heading to communities across Canada to spark some interaction prior to the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted in the country for the first time. Approximately 2,500 fans took in open practice Tuesday evening, as the men's team came to Halifax for the first time in their history. 'We've talked a lot about like creating a movement, you know, and I've also been calling this the people's team,' said Marsch. 'And I think if we want it to really feel like that, that we have to come to all the communities that we have to make the players really approachable. And I think, especially these kids, they have to be familiar with their heroes and they want to see them up close.' 'So all of these efforts, I think, have led to us, to having a really good experience overall with being in different communities and here in Halifax,' he added. For Shaffelburg, playing at home in front of family and friends meant the world and, for his family, it was nothing short of remarkable. 'Unbelievable,' said Marvin Messom, Shaffelburg's maternal grandfather. 'Just from Port Williams. Just unbelievable.' Messom had tears in his eyes as the young soccer star approached him, beaming with pride and awe at the number of jerseys and cheers for his grandson. 'The only thing he got from me was the hair,' Messom joked, to which Shaffelburg added, 'And the emotional side.' The Maritime Messi got about 80 tickets for friends and family to come to the event and the section was full, including his wife Robyne and nine-month-old daughter Daisy. 'It's amazing to see the support for sure,' smiled Robyne as Daisy beamed in her arms. 'It's kind of funny when he told me when we first met that he played soccer, I was like, 'OK, I played volleyball in high school, why are you telling me this?'' she laughed, adding, 'I didn't understand the kind of magnitude of what he meant by that now, like seeing everyone and their support for him.' For Shaffelburg, having both his and his wife's family in attendance was something special as they are both from the province. While the sounds didn't bother young Daisy, as she's used to the noise back in Nashville where her dad plays from MLS Nashville FC, Robyne said they need to get used to the atmosphere. 'There's fireworks and there's loud music all the time, so I think she's kind of like, used to it at this point,' Robyne said. 'So I try to take her. I'm like, 'You know what? We've got a long career soccer ahead of us, so we're going to the games. Even if, you know, they're past bedtime'.' That career in soccer is only growing as the World Cup approaches and, for the Shaffelburgs, so is their family. 'Are you excited for World Cup?' Robyne asked Daisy. 'I'll have another one as well by then. I'm five months pregnant with a little boy. I know I'm going to have my hands full at those games… maybe she'll go hang out with Nani.' As for the experience in Nova Scotia, the energy was palpable at the Wanderers Grounds as fans of all ages showed up to meet their heroes. Jacob Shaffelburg 2 Jacob Shaffelburg signing autographs at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Brianne Foley/CTV Atlantic) 'I probably signed about 400 Shaffelburg jerseys and, you know, we obviously knew how popular Jacob is in this region. They should be very proud of them,' said Marsch. 'We're really pleased with his overall performances and development, and we're excited to keep pushing him and keep preparing them for the World Cup next summer.' For Shaffelburg, the moment was amazing, but his journey continues as he strives to represent the province to the best of his ability in red and white. 'Just working hard I guess,' he said of his success so far. 'Making the most of my opportunities and just being humble and remembering where I'm from and trying to make Port Williams and Nova Scotia proud.' For grandpa, he's already done that. 'Extremely proud. Don't push me,' Messom said with tears in his eyes. Team Canada heads back to Toronto to host the inaugural Canadian Sheild Tournament on Saturday at BMO Field. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
