Cavalry FC–Forge FC rivalry explained

Wide:	1
Cavalry–Forge rivalry
Team1logo:	Kit_body_cavalry19a.png
Team2logo:	Kit_body_forge19h.png
First Contested:	Forge 1–2 Cavalry Canadian Premier League (May 12, 2019)
Team2:	Forge FC
Total:	32
Series:	Forge: 14–8–10
Top Scorer:	Kyle Bekker (7)
Mostrecent:	Cavalry 2–1 Forge CPL Final (November 9, 2024)
Largestvictory:	Cavalry 3–0 Forge Canadian Premier League August 4, 2023
Longeststreak:	Forge (3) Oct 16–Nov 2, 2019
Longestunbeatenstreak:	Forge (6) Oct 16, 2019–Jul 8, 2021
Stadiums:	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton
Section Header:	Postseason history
Section Info:	2019 finals Forge won 2–0 (agg.) 2022 semi-finals Forge won 3–2 (agg.) 2023 first semi-final Forge won 2–1 2023 final Forge won 2–1 2024 first semi-final Cavalry won 1–0 2024 final Cavalry won 2–1

The Cavalry–Forge rivalry refers to a soccer rivalry which has grown between Calgary-based Cavalry FC and Forge FC of Hamilton, Ontario. The two clubs began play in 2019 and faced each other nine times that season with all matches being decided by one goal or fewer. The clubs were the top teams in the inaugural Canadian Premier League season and the natural rivalry that developed between them has been described as the best in the league.

History

2019

The first match between Cavalry and Forge was played on May 12, 2019, at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. Cavalry won the game 2–1 with the winning goal from Nico Pasquotti coming late in stoppage time.^[1] The following month, the two clubs met in the second round of the 2019 Canadian Championship. Once again, Cavalry scored late into stoppage time in Hamilton; this time on a penalty kick to equalize after Forge goalkeeper Quillan Roberts was sent off for a foul.^[2] The drama continued after the match when a scrum broke out between the two teams with opposing players exchanging pushes and shouts.^[3]

The day after the match, Cavalry player Jordan Brown accused Forge FC coach Peter Reynders of using racist remarks during the post game scrum, a claim which was supported by his teammates Elijah Adekugbe and Nathan Mavila.^[4] Following an investigation, Reynders was initially found to be guilty by the Canadian Soccer Association and suspended 45 days for the incident, however the decision was overturned on appeal.^[5] In June 2020, Forge players defended Reynders publicly.^[6] The case was referred to a third party, and Reynders was cleared of the charges in August 2020.^[7] The match and subsequent allegations are considered to be the first significant moment of the rivalry.^[8] In the return leg of the Canadian Championship tie at ATCO Field, Cavalry won 2–1 to advance in the competition.^[9]

On June 22, 2019, Forge and Cavalry faced off for the fourth time that season and the third time in 19 days. With a draw, Cavalry could clinch the top record in the 10-game spring season while Forge needed a win to remain in contention.^[10] Forge won the game 1–0 on an early goal from captain Kyle Bekker, ending Cavalry's run of seven straight wins to start the season.^[11] Cavalry won their following game on June 26 to claim the spring title and a spot in the 2019 Canadian Premier League Finals. Forge secured their place in the finals with a win on September 28.^[12]

Forge hosted the first leg of the 2019 CPL Finals on October 26 in Hamilton. In the 37th minute, Cavalry defender Joel Waterman handled the ball in his own penalty area while sliding to prevent a scoring chance. Waterman was sent off and Forge was awarded a penalty kick. League-leading scorer Tristan Borges took the penalty kick but it was stopped by Marco Carducci to keep the game scoreless. Late into first half stoppage time, Borges scored the game's only goal, beating Carducci with a left-footed strike to give Forge the lead going into halftime.^[13] In the 69th minute, a challenge between Borges and Jay Wheeldon of Cavalry sent both players to the ground. As a result of the play, Borges was shown a red card and both teams finished the match with 10 players.^{[14] [15]} After the match, Cavalry and Forge appealed their respective red cards to the Canadian Soccer Association but only the suspension to Forge's Tristan Borges was overturned, allowing him to play in the second leg.^{[16] [17]} During the second leg in Calgary on November 2, a total of seven yellow cards were issued.^[18] Forge scored the game's only goal late in stoppage time and won the series 2–0 on aggregate, becoming the first-ever champions of the Canadian Premier League.

In all, Forge and Cavalry played nine matches against each other in 2019 across all competitions with all matches decided by one goal or fewer.^[19]

2020–2022

The season opener of the 2020 CPL Island Games was chosen to be a rematch of the 2019 final. The match ended a 2–2 draw with Cavalry equalizing in the 94th minute with a controversial penalty kick.^[20] Forge would get their revenge by defeating Cavalry 1–0 in their final group stage match to clinch a spot in the 2020 Canadian Premier League Final while also eliminating Cavalry.^[21]

In their fourth and final regular season meeting of 2022, Forge defeated Cavalry in a match that featured three goals and three red cards.^[22] The two clubs ended the regular season with identical records (14–5–9), finishing 2nd and 3rd and earning a meeting in the CPL semifinals.^[23] Following a 1–1 draw in the first leg, Forge won 3–2 on aggregate to advance to its fourth consecutive CPL Final.^[24] In the tie's second leg, Kyle Bekker of Forge and David Norman Jr. of Cavalry were both sent off within five minutes of each other in the first half.

Results

Season	Competition	Date	Home team	Result	Away team	Venue	Attendance	Recap
2019			Forge		Cavalry		5,921	^[25]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	5,174	^[26]
			Cavalry		Forge		4,000	^[27]
	Canadian Premier League		Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	4,697	^[28]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	6,883	^[29]	Tied: 2–1–2
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	1,938	^[30]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	3,864	^[31]	Tied: 3–1–3
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	10,486	^[32]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	5,831	^[33]
2020			Forge		Cavalry		0	^[34]
			Cavalry		Forge	Alumni Field, Charlottetown	0	^[35]
2021			Cavalry		Forge		0	^[36]
			Forge		Cavalry	IG Field, Winnipeg	0	^[37]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	2,104	^[38]
2022			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	3,688	^[39]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	2,989	^[40]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	3,945	^[41]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	4,992	^[42]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	3,179	^[43]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	7,133	^[44]
2023			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	6,892	^[45]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	3,503	^[46]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	4,106	^[47]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	6,751	^[48]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	4,385	^[49]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	13,925	^[50]
2024			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	7,395	^[51]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	4,691	^[52]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	4,569	^[53]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	4,671	^[54]
			Forge		Cavalry	Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton	6,521	^[55]
			Cavalry		Forge	ATCO Field, Foothills County	7,052	^[56]

Statistics

Competition	Matches	Wins		Draws	Goals
		Cavalry	Forge		Cavalry	Forge
Canadian Premier League	22	7	9	6	25	26
CPL Playoffs	8	2	5	1	7	10
Canadian Championship	2	1	0	1	3	2
Total matches	32	10	14	8	35	38

Post-season and cup results

CPL Playoffs

Season	Round	Advanced	Score(s)
2019	Finals		2–0 on aggregate
2022	Semi-finals		3–2 on aggregate
2023	First semifinal		2–1
	Final		2–1
2024	First semifinal		1–0
	Final		2–1

Records

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Club	Nationality	Goals
1	Kyle Bekker	Forge		7
2	Tristan Borges	Forge		6
3	David Choinière	Forge		5
	Ali Musse	Cavalry
5	Dominique Malonga	Cavalry		4
	Joe Mason	Cavalry
	Anthony Novak	Forge Cavalry
8	Sergio Camargo	Cavalry		3
	Jordan Hamilton	Forge
	Daan Klomp	Cavalry
	Woobens Pacius	Forge
	Tobias Warschewski	Cavalry
--1 goal: Achinioti-Jönsson, Aird, Akio, Grant, Jensen, Kobza, Ledgerwood, Mavilla, Pasquotti, Sissoko, Welshman, Zator, -->

Clean sheets

Rank	Player	Club	Clean sheets
1	Triston Henry	Forge	7
2	Marco Carducci	Cavalry	4
3	Tyson Farago	Cavalry	1
Quillan Roberts	Forge

Discipline

List of sent off players!Player!Club!Date!Competition!Minute!Type!!

Quillan Roberts	Forge (h)	Jun 4, 2019		90+4'		1–0	1–1
Dominic Samuel	Forge (h)	Oct 16, 2019		71'		1–0	1–0
Joel Waterman	Cavalry (a)	Oct 26, 2019	CPL Finals	37'		0–0	1–0
	Forge (h)			69'		1–0
Kyle Bekker	Forge (h)	Sep 10, 2022		70'		2–1	2–1
Joseph Di Chiara	Cavalry (a)			86'		2–1
Mikaël Cantave	Cavalry (a)			90+5'		2–1
Kyle Bekker (2)	Forge (h)	Oct 23, 2022		43'		0–0	2–1
David Norman Jr.	Cavalry (a)			45+3'		0–0
Khadim Kane	Forge (a)	June 8, 2024	League	89		1–0	1–0
Daniel Parra	Forge (a)	July 21, 2024		82		1–1	1–1

Players who played for both clubs

Forge, then Cavalry

• Anthony Novak (Forge: 2019–2020, Cavalry: 2021–2022)

See also

• 905 Derby
• Al Classico
• Pacific FC–Vancouver FC rivalry
• Canadian Classique

References

Sources

• Book: Strasser, Scott . Here Come the Cavalry! . May 13, 2024 . . Altona, MB . 978-1038306548.

Further reading

• Web site: Remembering 5 great Forge-Cavalry clashes before CPL Final rematch . Charlie . O'Connor-Clarke . . October 24, 2023 . October 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231024191321/https://canpl.ca/article/remembering-5-great-forge-cavalry-clashes-before-cpl-final-rematch . October 24, 2023 . live.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pasquotti's last-gasp goal gives Cavalry win over Forge . Canadian Premier League . April 30, 2021 . May 12, 2019.
2. Web site: Strasser . Scott . Cavalry/Forge rivalry on full display in Canadian Championship draw but unsavoury aftermath and allegations dominate postgame chat . AFTN . April 30, 2021 . June 6, 2019.
3. News: Milton . Steve . It's a blood feud between Forge and Cavalry for first CPL title . The Hamilton Spectator . April 30, 2021 . October 21, 2019.
4. Web site: Cavalry FC Players Accuse Forge FC Assistant Coach Of Making Racist Remarks. Northern Tribune. John. Jacques. June 5, 2019.
5. Web site: Forge FC assistant coach banned by CSA for discriminatory remarks. Calgary Sun. Todd. Saelhof. August 27, 2019.
6. News: Hamilton Forge takes fire for allegations against coach. Hamilton Spectator. Steve. Milton. June 15, 2020.
7. Web site: Independent review clears Forge FC assistant coach of racism charge. Midland Press. Neil. Davidson. August 11, 2020.
8. Web site: Jacques . John . In Forge and Cavalry Lies The League's Best Rivalry . Northern Tribune . April 30, 2021 . June 5, 2019.
9. Web site: Spencer . Donna . Cavalry beat Forge FC, face Vancouver Whitecaps in 3rd round of Canadian Championship . The Canadian Press . November 26, 2021 . June 11, 2019.
10. Web site: 'They're not unbeatable': Bekker ready for must-win Cavalry tilt . Canadian Premier League . April 30, 2021 . en-CA . June 21, 2019.
11. Web site: Forge hands Cavalry 1st loss as Spring race intensifies . Canadian Premier League . April 30, 2021 . en-CA . June 22, 2019.
12. Web site: Saelhof . Todd . Undermanned Cavalry guts out point in draw with host York9 . Calgary Sun . April 30, 2021 . September 28, 2019.
13. News: Milton . Steve . Forge downs Cavalry, but loses top scorer for second half of CPL final . The Hamilton Spectator . March 20, 2020 . October 28, 2019.
14. Web site: Jaques . John . Forge Takes First Leg Of CPL Finals . Northern Tribune . March 20, 2020 . October 27, 2019.
15. Web site: Molinaro . John . Highlights: Borges, Carducci shine in red-card laden Leg 1 tilt . Canadian Premier League . March 20, 2020 . October 26, 2019.
16. Web site: Forge FC and Cavalry FC both appeal controversial red cards from CPL Finals leg one . Waking The Red . March 20, 2020 . October 27, 2019 . November 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191105072245/https://www.wakingthered.com/2019/10/27/20934873/report-forge-fc-appeal-tristan-borges-controversial-red-card-canpl-finals . dead .
17. Web site: Forge FC's Tristan Borges wins appeal, will play 2nd leg of final . Sportsnet.ca . Canadian Press . March 20, 2020 . October 31, 2019.
18. Web site: O'Connor-Clarke . Charlie . Forge FC crowned CPL champions in win over Cavalry (EN/FR) . Canadian Premier League . April 30, 2021 . November 2, 2019.
19. News: Forge knock off Cavalry to take inaugural CPL finals . Remy . Greer . Western Wheel . . November 2, 2019 . September 18, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240918175652/https://www.westernwheel.ca/local-sports/forge-knock-off-cavalry-to-take-inaugural-cpl-championship-1825098 . September 18, 2024 . live.
20. Web site: Cavalry salvages controversial draw with Forge in CPL's Island Games opener . www.sportsnet.ca . Canadian Press . April 30, 2021 . August 13, 2020.
21. Web site: Quon . Alexander . HFX Wanderers, Forge FC advance to CPL final as Cavalry FC knocked out of Island Games . Global News . April 30, 2021 . September 15, 2020.
22. Web site: Highlights: Forge FC vs Cavalry FC (September 10, 2022) . onesoccer.ca . 26 October 2022 . 10 September 2022.
23. Web site: Preview: Cavalry FC vs. Forge FC -- CPL Semifinals (Leg 1) . Canadian Premier League . 16 October 2022 . 14 October 2022.
24. News: Hamilton's Forge FC beat Cavalry, advance to CPL final . Rick . Zamperin . . October 23, 2022 . October 23, 2022.
25. Web site: Forge FC 1 - 2 Cavalry FC . . May 12, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920202751/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/4m1cw8f5lec9czmckqvw6rwbu/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
26. Web site: Forge FC 1 - 1 Cavalry FC . . June 4, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920205616/https://canadasoccer.com/events/championship-match/?matchId=1682 . September 20, 2023 . live.
27. Web site: Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC . . June 11, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920205620/https://canadasoccer.com/events/championship-match/?matchId=1693 . September 20, 2023 . live.
28. Web site: Cavalry FC 0 - 1 Forge FC . . June 22, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920202811/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/4vss0kvhfu78tzig6ibaksnl6/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
29. Web site: Forge FC 1 - 0 Cavalry FC . . August 25, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920202853/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/5a9bdy2gwxymhiu0vyvisb88a/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
30. Web site: Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC . . October 9, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920202906/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/548tpbwhe2nvkm81pqgvsrjai/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
31. Web site: Forge FC 1 - 0 Cavalry FC . . October 16, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920202908/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/5n3wpjv5f0ccbrfa73tl80qju/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
32. Web site: Forge FC 1 - 0 Cavalry FC . . October 26, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920202913/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/7exzoqwijjljpmysgu6cw2nai/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
33. Web site: Cavalry FC 0 - 1 Forge FC . . November 2, 2019 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203132/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/7f2xl06opfb8koy1jdrzjd0fe/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
34. Web site: Forge FC 2 - 2 Cavalry FC . . August 13, 2020 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203139/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/7st0tt53e4ksjueglfgouulg4/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
35. Web site: Cavalry FC 0 - 1 Forge FC . . September 15, 2020 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203143/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/dykc0lh8alwaa1f7yjoh09bf8/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
36. Web site: Cavalry FC 0 - 2 Forge FC . . July 7, 2021 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203150/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/19mxfeuhvl92qtawpg4pi1o2c/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
37. Web site: Forge FC 1 - 2 Cavalry FC . . July 22, 2021 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203858/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/1l63xsgnweit7ko6ml8nyryms/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
38. Web site: Forge FC 0 - 1 Cavalry FC . . November 16, 2021 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203858/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/bmu0e2youzujrv20atd0w3ms4/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
39. Web site: Forge FC 2 - 2 Cavalry FC . . April 16, 2022 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203909/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/7tjgzzc4kxv7fgknwv8qd2djo/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
40. Web site: Cavalry FC 1 - 2 Forge FC . . July 27, 2022 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920203911/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/80tveep4a8ienmepbeepl5v6c/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
41. Web site: Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC . . August 12, 2022 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204141/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/81zzp4bsqqfvohdss8ix0u7mc/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
42. Web site: Forge FC 2 - 1 Cavalry FC . . September 10, 2022 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204151/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/84ol9gnoc9ek5wguo4jkel0yc/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
43. Web site: Cavalry FC 1 - 1 Forge FC . . October 15, 2022 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204200/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/95dbavd8tk0jd4wlt800weyhg/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
44. Web site: Forge FC 2 - 1 Cavalry FC . . October 23, 2022 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204201/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/d8pykd6h39ums4761paeng3ro/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
45. Web site: Forge FC 2 - 2 Cavalry FC . . April 15, 2023 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204220/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/dw1uqz0b3jyrvok56tng0874k/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
46. Web site: Cavalry FC 1 - 1 Forge FC . . June 3, 2023 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204227/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/e3po4myi1ojmaa05t3tqttxxw/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
47. Web site: Cavalry FC 3 - 0 Forge FC . . August 4, 2023 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204245/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/eef8pnt57hr1qaxcn7zkvbz84/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
48. Web site: Forge FC 0 - 0 Cavalry FC . . September 9, 2023 . September 20, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230920204248/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/ekjdxl06j8ta2y0j2o8ktcydw/highlights . September 20, 2023 . live.
49. Web site: Cavalry FC 1 - 2 Forge FC . . October 14, 2023 . October 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015172316/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/4in679xk973y20hthwttb2238/highlights . October 15, 2023 . live.
50. Web site: Highlights: Forge FC 2-1 Cavalry FC (a.e.t) -- 2023 CPL Final . Canadian Premier League . 29 October 2023 . 28 October 2023.
51. Web site: Highlights: Forge FC 2-1 Cavalry FC . Canadian Premier League . 14 April 2024 . 13 April 2024.
52. Web site: Cavalry FC 1 - 0 Forge FC . . June 8, 2024 . June 9, 2024 . https://archive.today/20240609145915/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/a1wae67nzbnqlabtfdyz6a49g/highlights . June 9, 2024 . live.
53. Web site: Cavalry FC 1 - 1 Forge FC . . July 21, 2024 . July 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240722134952/https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/aciamhqtlx5cw70n4jpsod8us/highlights . July 22, 2024 . live.
54. Web site: Forge FC 2 - 1 Cavalry FC . . September 7, 2024 . September 8, 2024.
55. Web site: Forge FC 0 - 1 Cavalry FC . . October 27, 2024 . October 28, 2024.
56. Web site: Cavalry FC 2 - 1 Forge FC . . November 9, 2024 . November 9, 2024.