PREVIEW: Forge FC vs. Cavalry FC | April 18, 2026

The Canadian Premier League's eternal rivalry hits the pitch for the first time in 2026 on Saturday at Hamilton Stadium as Forge FC host Cavalry FC.

The two winningest sides in CPL history are once again off to a strong start to this season, both with two wins through their opening two matches. They sit first and second in the table. 

The Cavs rather comprehensively dismantled the defending CPL champions, Atlético Ottawa, in their home opener this past Sunday, while later that same day Forge grinded out a narrow 1-0 win over Vancouver FC in Langley on a late Max Filion goal. 

Cavalry FC were victorious on their most recent visit to Hamilton Stadium, a 1-0 win in the contender semifinal last year, which eliminated Forge from the playoffs. However, they have not won a regular season match at the stadium since 2021. 

The Hammers, meanwhile, have lost just once in their past 26 CPL regular season home matches, a big reason why they lifted the CPL Shield in back-to-back years as regular season winners. 

Forge are also the only team in the CPL that has yet to concede a goal going into matchweek three, with goalkeeper Dmitry Bertaud now keeping clean sheets in three of the four matches he has played so far with the club in all competitions. 

While this will be the 38th meeting between the two bitter rivals over the past eight years in all competitions, the rivalry has a remarkable ability to deliver something a little bit different in each of its meetings.

This time it's a battle of brothers, as Forge full-back Ben Paton takes on Cavalry midfielder Harry Paton, who, in an added twist, also played for Forge last season. Both have started the season exceptionally, with Ben scoring in Forge's season opener, and Harry tallying twice in two games so far for Cavalry FC. 

It is the first time the two have gone head-to-head in their professional careers. 

"I think we should get them to man-mark each other tomorrow," said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis with a smile. "They're quality individuals, quality people off the field and on the field. One is here, one is not. But that's the truth, so it's no surprise they're both doing very well." 

If there is one other player to watch on the Cavalry FC side, however, it is the man that Cavalry coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. coined "the dragon slayer" for his prolific nature against Forge. Since joining Cavalry FC in 2024, striker Tobias Warschewski has scored 6 goals and added two assists in ten matches against Forge -- including scoring in all three playoff meetings.

Goals have always been at a premium in general when these two sides play, but particularly in Hamilton. Neither of these teams has ever scored more than twice in a match against the other at Hamilton Stadium. Last year, there were only four goals combined scored in three meetings in the Hammer.

Saturday, one CPL title will look to continue their perfect start and take an early lead in the CPL Shield race at the stadium where the trophy has been lifted the past two years.

NEWS & NOTES

• Forge FC captain Kyle Bekker announced on Friday that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent successful surgery earlier this year. Read his statement here. For more information on awareness and screening, visit cancer.ca. 

• Forge are hopeful that both Dan Nimick and Daniel Krützen can play some role in this weekend's match as they are close to returning to action. 

• Jay Herdman is still day-to-day for Cavalry FC. Maël Henry, James McGlinchey and Michael Harms have all returned to limited training as they continue their respective recoveries.

PROJECTED STARTING XIs

Forge FC: Bertaud; Rama, Batisse, Jevremovic, B.Paton; Aromatario, Jensen, Borges; Tavernier, Wright, Massunda 

Cavalry FC: Ingham; Pearlman, Didić, Klomp, Kamdem Fewo; Kobza, H.Paton; Ntignee, Camargo, Musse; Warschewski

KEY QUOTES

"Each year is different. Each year brings different players, brings some different tactical nuances, different phases of the season. We're early in the season right now, both of us have maximum points from our two games." — Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis

**"Being here since 2019 and understanding and playing against them a lot, you feel a little bit more confident going into these games where you know what's going to be happening from the other side, and it's just about focusing on yourself, focusing on your group, and sticking to the game plan." — Forge FC midfielder Tristan Borges

"These [games] excite me, because I think they test you. They test you with the ball, trying to create spaces against them and their defensive principles. And they test you without it, trying to close and take away their spaces on the day. They're generally tight games, right? There's only been a few games that there's been more than one goal, so you've got to be prepared for that." — Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.

"Playing with them for a brief period last year, I know that the team is so well organized and managed by Bobby. So I think they're going to be a really tough team to break down and beat, especially at home...they've got two wins in the first two games like us. So we're gonna go in there full force and try to get three points." — Cavalry FC midfielder Harry Paton