| Vancouver FC vs. Forge FC April 12 a 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT The Stadium at Langley Events Centre Watch Live: OneSoccer Tickets available here |
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Last year, Forge FC and Vancouver FC found themselves at opposite ends of the CPL table.
But as they meet again in week two of the 2026 CPL season, both sides know that little has been established in this year's campaign. This early in the year, both are focused on implementing their own standards and structures, with limited tape on their opponents.
Both in action in week one, Vancouver FC come into Sunday feeling a little bit aggrieved by the result of their season opener at The Stadium at Langley Events Centre, where they lost 1-0 to Halifax on a Lorenzo Callegari wonderstrike despite significantly outshooting and outchancing the visitors.
They will be pleased with how many opportunities they created in that game, compiling 17 shot attempts and 2.08 expected goals. But none of them beat Marco Carducci.
The final third, then, will be a big focus on Sunday afternoon. Through three matches in all competitions in 2026, the Eagles have yet to find the net.
Forge are looking to make it six straight wins at The Stadium at Langley Events Centre. They have not lost in Langley since their first-ever away match against Vancouver FC in 2023.
They are coming off arguably the biggest result of the league's opening weekend, holding the CPL Champs, Atlético Ottawa, goalless and shotless at home in a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Brian Wright and Ben Paton.
All this despite a heavily rotated squad without captain Kyle Bekker, 2025 Defender of the Year Dan Nimick, key attacker Nana Ampomah and midfielder Noah Jensen.
While their opponent last weekend, Atlético Ottawa, ultimately lifted the North Star Cup, the regular season belonged to Forge in 2025, and a big reason for that was their form away from home. In 14 road matches last year, they allowed 13 goals against and lost just twice.
Vancouver will be up for that challenge. A clear difference in their squad this year is the level of experience they have brought in, with CPL veterans full-back Morey Doner, central defender Tom Field and midfielder Marcello Polisi all putting up strong performances in the opening week.
"I think we've gotten a lot more experience to help hold the group together," said Martin Nash in the pre-match press conference. "We needed to get rid of some of that acceptance of losing. I think some of the senior guys won't accept it, and will help drive the group."
Vital in turning around the team's mentality will be changing their fortunes at home. After winning just twice in Langley in the CPL all of last season, Vancouver FC know that two losses at home to start would not be ideal.
Can they end Forge's run in Langley, or will the defending regular season champs continue their strong start to the campaign? The CPL matchweek two finale will tell the tale.
NEWS & NOTES
- Forge captain Kyle Bekker remains unavailable for this week's game, Dan Nimick is also likely out of the lineup, although he is close to returning, per head coach Bobby Smyrniotis. Noah Jensen is back and available.
- On Friday, Vancouver FC announced the signing of 23-year-old winger Aboubacar Traore.
- Vancouver FC goalkeeper and captain Callum Irving is back in full training and available for Sunday.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Vancouver FC: Irving; Doner, Campagna, Field, Gee; Pecile, Polisi, Mezquida; Bah, Amissi, Toomey
Forge FC: Bertaud; Rama, Batisse, Jevremovic, Paton; Aromatario, Jensen, Borges; Tavernier, Wright, Massunda
KEY QUOTES
"Whereas some teams in the league are more transitional or set play-based, [Forge] have the ability to beat you in many ways. So you can't switch off at all against them. You've got to be organized in all areas of the game, and you've got to be patient too." — Vancouver FC head coach Martin Nash
"I always talk about these first games that it's a big focus on ourselves, big focus on what we need to do, big focus on our principles. As you know, you work on these first rounds of matches until you have a little bit clearer vision on the opponent and what adjustments you need to make on them." — Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis
