| Forge FC vs. Inter Toronto Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT Hamilton Stadium in Hamilton, Ont. Watch Live: OneSoccer, CBC Gem Tickets available here |
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For the first time in 2026, the 905 Derby will shift to Hamilton this weekend.
Hosts Forge FC come into this game eager for a big result, after relinquishing their place atop the Canadian Premier League standings last weekend. Entering Matchweek 21, the Hammers are two points behind Cavalry FC for the lead, and with just two months left in the season they're eager to reclaim their place in the CPL Shield race.
They return home after a difficult few days spent in Laval, where they lost a CPL match to FC Supra du Québec last Friday before drawing 1-1 with the same opponent in Tuesday's Canadian Championship semifinal first leg. On the latter occasion, Forge trailed for most of the game but managed to equalize off a 95th-minute set-piece, which means they head into the second leg at home all square.
Heading down the QEW to Hamilton are Inter Toronto, well rested after their last match on Aug. 28. They took on Atlético Ottawa in a frustrating game, where they took the lead early but left empty-handed as two late Ottawa goals flipped the result into a loss.
The defeat left Toronto in seventh place with 18 points, nine out of the playoffs.
The good news for Mauro Eustáquio and Inter Toronto, however, is they have plenty of runway to get back in the race. They have played just 17 games, and fourth-placed Vancouver FC have played 20.
Toronto therefore have plenty of extra games to make up points. September and October are going to be exceptionally busy for the club, though, with a number of midweek fixtures (including next Wednesday) scheduled to make up those games in hand.
This homestretch spring begins for Toronto in Hamilton, a place where they have struggled in recent years.
Their last win at Hamilton Stadium was in 2023 — in fact, that was Toronto's last win over Forge, period. Since then, the Hammers have won nine times, and they've drawn four.
Forge travelled to York Lions Stadium twice earlier this season and won convincingly on both occasions (4-1 in June and 3-1 in July).
Both sides come into this game hungry to return to the win column. Forge are desperate to return to the top, while Toronto need every point they can get to hold onto their playoff chances.
This should be another hot-blooded 905 Derby.
NEWS & NOTES
- Inter Toronto striker Sebastian Gonzales is suspended after being sent off in the club's last match. Tomasz Skublak is eligible to return after serving a one-match suspension.
- Forge FC defenders Dan Nimick and Antoine Batisse are both one yellow card away from a suspension for accumulation.
- Toronto's main injury concern remains Shola Jimoh, although Kembo Kibato and Julian Altobelli are questionable after missing last week's game in Ottawa.
- For Forge, Antoine Batisse and Levonte Johnson are considered day-to-day with minor injuries.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Forge FC: Bertaud; Rama, Nimick, Krutzen, Jevremović; Batisse, Paton, Aromatario; Ampomah, Wright, Massunda
Inter Toronto: Pavela; Singh, Sturing, León; Guzmán, Yeates, Bassett, Córdova; Badibanga, Altobelli, Almagro
