The Canadian Premier League celebrates Thanksgiving weekend with four crucial matches, including a huge Monday doubleheader in the CPL Shield race.
It all begins on Saturday, when FC Supra host Vancouver FC. The winner will finish the weekend above the playoff line with just two weeks remaining.
Here's what's ahead in Matchweek 25:
Saturday, Oct. 10 - FC Supra du Québec vs. Vancouver FC
4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT — Stade Boréale — OneSoccer, CBC, TVA Sports 2
Tickets available here.
For one of these teams, their dreams of making a first-ever CPL playoff appearance could come down to the result of Saturday's match in Québec.
After back-to-back wins, FC Supra du Québec would pass Vancouver FC with a win on Saturday and move into the fourth and final playoff position with two matches remaining.
It would also be a first-ever win against their B.C. opponent, against whom they have two losses and a draw.
With a victory, Vancouver would further the gap between themselves and the playoff line to five points and have a chance to clinch next weekend.
Vancouver's only win in their past nine matches came against Supra, and that result is all that separates the two sides heading into Saturday.
Sunday, Oct. 11 - Pacific FC vs. Atlético Ottawa
7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT — Royal Athletic Park — OneSoccer
Tickets available here.
The CPL's capital club visits the B.C. capital on Sunday for a clash with Pacific FC.
Atleti's last outing was a big win over Cavalry FC at TD Place, which clinched a spot in the CPL playoffs. Now they look to win back-to-back road games for the first time this season.
Pacific, meanwhile, return home after a tough trip out east, where they conceded eight times and did not score in Laval or Hamilton.
For both sides, this is about finishing the season strong.
Monday, Oct. 12 - Forge FC vs. Inter Toronto
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT — Hamilton Stadium — OneSoccer, TSN
Tickets available here.
Thanksgiving Monday in the CPL kicks off with the final 905 Derby of the regular season, and the stakes could be massive.
Heading into their final home match of the regular season, Forge FC trail rivals Cavalry FC by just two points in the CPL Shield race and could put big pressure on them with another three points on Monday.
The match will also serve as a celebration for captain Kyle Bekker, as he is honoured in a pre-match ceremony for his incredible eight seasons with the club.
For Inter Toronto, this is it. Unless they win on Monday, they are eliminated from playoff contention. After a costly midweek loss to FC Supra du Québec, it might not even be in their hands, as a Vancouver FC victory on Saturday would also mean they can no longer catch the Eagles for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Monday, Oct. 12 - Halifax Wanderers vs. Cavalry FC
4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT — Wanderers Grounds — OneSoccer
Tickets available here.
Last weekend, the Halifax Wanderers did Cavalry FC a huge favour in the CPL Shield race, coming back from two goals down late to take points off Forge FC.
But Cavalry won't be in any mood to thank them when they visit the Wanderers Grounds on Monday. They know they need all three points to end a surprising two-game losing skid and keep their rivals from Hamilton in the rearview mirror.
The Wanderers, meanwhile, need to win in order to guarantee their playoff hopes stay alive. With their final two matches against Vancouver FC and FC Supra, there is still a potential path to the postseason. But they need to take care of business on Monday in order to keep that path clear.
The CPL Shield race could come down to the wire, but Thanksgiving Monday will have a huge impact on who is holding the trophy on the season's final day.
Player to Watch:
Noah Jensen, Forge FC
Long seen as the heir apparent to Kyle Bekker, Noah Jensen has made the Forge midfield his own over the past two matches. Against the Halifax Wanderers last weekend, he came off the bench to pick up a pair of assists. Then, captaining them on Wednesday, he opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Against Inter Toronto on Monday, Forge will again need Jensen to pull the strings in midfield in pursuit of another three points.
