| Forge FC vs. FC Supra du Québec May 13 at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT Hamilton Stadium in Hamilton, Ont. Watch Live: OneSoccer, CBC Gem, RDS Direct Tickets available here |
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On Wednesday morning, FC Supra du Québec take a field trip to Hamilton Stadium for their first-ever meeting with Forge FC.
Forge FC host their annual School Day Match, where thousands of local students get the opportunity to attend a CPL match. Last year's edition set a CPL attendance record, with 17,971 fans in attendance for a 2-2 draw between Forge and Atlético Ottawa.
For the freshman Supra, it is a big test early in their history. The most decorated team in CPL history, Forge are once again unbeaten through five matches to begin the 2026 season and sit top of the table.
The Hamilton club have lost just once in their past 27 CPL regular-season matches at Hamilton Stadium. This season, they have yet to concede at home through four matches in all competitions.
They have a strong home record against clubs from Québec as well, with a loss on penalties to CF Montréal in 2021 the only blemish in the five times they have hosted opposition from the province in the TELUS Canadian Championship.
Speaking of the national cup competition, both Forge and FC Supra are riding high into Wednesday's contest after big CanChamp wins. Forge defeated the Halifax Wanderers 4-0 at home on Saturday. Supra, meanwhile, defeated OPL champions Woodbridge Strikers 3-1.
The third goal in that match was scored by David Choinière, his first for Supra, who makes his return to Hamilton Stadium on Wednesday. Choinière spent seven years with the Hamilton club, winning four CPL titles and scoring in two finals.
"His name is synonymous with every big achievement we've had," said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis. "He's a player who's been here from day one, has lived every moment of every title to every big game in Concacaf and beyond. Fantastic seven seasons here, a pleasure of a player to work with, and now you've got to face him on the other side of the field."
The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu-born attacker is no stranger to School Day Matches, having scored the opening goal in the inaugural School Day Match in a 1-1 draw with CF Montréal back on May 7, 2024.
Forge are still looking for their first win in a School Day Match after both previous editions ended in draws.
For Supra, this is just the second game they have played outside of Québec, following a 3-2 win over Pacific FC in Langford, B.C. in their inaugural match on April 11.
Both sides could see big players return to their ranks on Tuesday morning, with Nana Ampomah back in training with Forge FC and FC Supra inaugural goal scorer Loïc Kwemi making his return to the pitch during Canadian Championship action over the weekend.
Can Forge continue to be top of the class in 2026, or will the new kids make a statement?
NEWS & NOTES
- FC Supra du Québec will be without key midfielder Alessandro Biello, who is suspended following a late red card against Cavalry in the league last game.
- Nana Ampomah will be a game-time decision for Forge, but could make his season debut on Wednesday.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Forge FC: Bertaud; Rama, Nimick, Batisse, Jevremović; Aromatario, Paton, Jensen; Borges, Wright, Massunda
FC Supra du Québec: Milli; Auguste, Ferdinand, Chrétien, Abzi; Mlah, Sissoko; Choinière, Rea, Bey; Kwemi
KEY QUOTES
"I think they're an energetic squad. I think when things are going well for them on the pitch, they put a lot of energy into what they're doing both on and off the ball. They cover a lot of ground. Hamilton Stadium is a big ground, so there's more ground they need to cover here. I'm sure David [Choinière] has done a good job of explaining that to his teammates, and anyone at the club there." -- Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis
"It's an exciting game to be part of. The fans, the young kids coming in, it's going to be a big crowd, it adds a little bit more excitement. Just putting on a good performance in front of the young generation and them hopefully leaving thinking about Forge and thinking about Forge getting a win." -- Forge FC midfielder Tristan Borges
"They are going to defend well, they are back-to-back regular-season winners. This year, they've conceded just one goal in six matches. So it's going to be challenging, with thousands of kids [in the stands], so it's going to be a good match. That's why we are here, to play big teams, so I'm very excited for this match." — FC Supra du Québec head coach Nick Razzaghi
"Me personally, I see this just like every other match. Each is important, each opponent is different. They are a team that you have to respect, but we are very motivated, and we have to go there and try to get the three points." — FC Supra du Québec forward Loïc Kwemi
