A 90th-minute winner from Forge's Maxim Filion broke Vancouver hearts as the Hamilton club prevailed 1-0 on Saturday.
The hosts were left to rue plenty of great chances, including twice getting the ball to the goalline, but for the second straight match to start 2026, they couldn't find a goal.
They finished with six shots, 23 touches in the box, and 1.33 expected goals. But just could not find a way to beat Dimitry Bertaud in the Forge goal.
"We've got to find a way to put the ball in the back of the net," said Vancouver coach Martin Nash. "We're creating the opportunities, and just not the final act, or the shots. I don't know if it's confidence or whatever, but we've got to get over it pretty quick."
Captain Callum Irving returned to the net for Vancouver FC after missing the season opener through injury, while Terran Campbell replaced Luis Toomey on the right. Forge named an unchanged XI from their season-opening 2-0 victory at home over Atlético Ottawa.
The hosts started brightly and came close when a tricky Nicolás Mezquida free-kick delivery troubled Forge goalkeeper Dmitry Bertaud. He was just able to keep it in front of his line, however, despite the protestations from Vancouver players who felt it had crossed. Vancouver coach Martin Nash elected not to use one of his FVS challenges.
In the 17th minute, a lovely ball over the top from Tom Field found Mohamed Amissi, who went in one-on-one with Bertaud. The Forge keeper, however, denied him brilliantly, somehow reeling in the rebound as well before Thierno Bah could get on the end of it.
After the early scare, however, Forge settled down and started to control the ball more as the half wore on. Vancouver, however, did well to press them in key moments and deny the visitors from getting into dangerous areas. Forge finished the first half with just one shot attempt.
That came on the last kick off the half, as Mo Babouli sent a volley in the box over the net on the second phase of a late Vancouver FC corner kick. The two sides went to their respective rooms with the score 0-0.
Forge made a swap at the half, bringing on Spanish attacker Ismael Oketokoun for Kevaughn Tavernier.
Vancouver had another great chance early in the half, as Terran Campbell's outstanding low cross found Morey Doner. But the Eagles' full-back saw his shot blocked brilliantly by Ben Paton.
Doner continued to cause issues down the right flank, quickly proving to be a vital player for the Vancouver team in the early stages of the CPL season. He won five fouls in the first hour of the match. In the 60th minute, Doner won a free kick in a dangerous area at the top right of the box. But Mezquida's delivery couldn't pick out Field in the middle.
Bringing on Aboubacar Traore for his Vancouver debut, the Eagles used their speed and clever runs down the wings to create a number of dangerous chances. In the 77th minute, they saw the ball cleared just off the line again, as Amissi put it behind Bertaud, but Forge were able to deny the chance at the vital moment.
A minute later, Forge had an excellent opportunity of their own. After Matteo Campagna made contact with Max Filion in the box, Bobby Smyrniotis put in an FVS challenge, and his side were awarded a penalty. Mo Babouli stepped up, but Irving dove brilliantly to his right to make an incredible save.
The end-to-end action continued, and this time it was Vancouver's Terran Campbell who had a great chance to score after a decisive counterattack. But his mishit strike was denied by Bertaud.
In the 90th minute, Forge found their moment. Ben Paton cut down the left and sent a delivery into the box. His initial effort was parried by Irving, but right into the path of Filion. The Forge striker lifted the ball over Irving to hand his side the win.
Vancouver pushed late, putting Forge under siege in their box, but could not find a reply before time expired.
With the win, Forge made it six straight victories in Langley.
BOX SCORE
Lineups
Vancouver FC: Irving; Doner, Campagna, Field, Gee; Mezquida (Fotsing 63'), Polisi, Pecile (Proctor 90+2'); Bah (Traore 73'), Campbell, Amissi
Forge FC: Bertaud; Rama (Bourgeois 84'), Batisse, Jevremovic, Paton; Aromatario, Borges (Jensen 65'), Babouli (Bickford 88'); Tavernier (Oketokoun 46'), Wright (Filion 65'), Massunda
Goals
90' -- Maxime Filion (Forge FC)
Discipline
59' — Yellow: Ismael Oketokoun (Forge FC)
74' -- Yellow: Anthony Aromatario (Forge FC)
78' -- Yellow: Damiano Pecile (Vancouver FC)
82' -- Yellow: Matteo Campagna (Vancouver FC)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Anthony Aromatario, Forge FC
The midfielder is quickly proving to be an engine in the middle of the park for Forge, hardly putting a foot wrong on Sunday night. He completed 56 of 58 passes, and won possession eight times, making four interceptions during a standout performance at the base of midfield.
What’s next?
Forge return home for a big match against rivals Cavalry FC next week on Saturday, April 18 (4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. MT).
Vancouver FC go on the road for the first time this season, to York Lions Stadium where they take on Inter Toronto on Sunday, April 19 (5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT).
For broadcast details of the 2026 CPL season, go to cplsoccer.com/watch.