Forge FC and Cavalry FC renew their epic rivalry in the Canadian Premier League Contender Semifinal at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in what promises to be another “Clash of the Titans” for a spot in the CPL Final.
The 2025 Canadian Premier League marks the 10th playoff meeting between Forge vs Cavalry, two historic franchises in the league’s seven-year history, with the winner advancing to face Atlético Ottawa in the championship match on November 9.
Forge, seeking redemption after being knocked off the top spot by an upset 2-1 home loss to Ottawa in the Championship Semifinal, looks to reclaim their path to another title.
Defending champion Cavalry arrives with momentum after dismantling York United 4-1 in the quarterfinal, confident they can finally replicate last season’s breakthrough victory at Tim Hortons Field.
Forge vs Cavalry semifinal Match Information, Prediction, H2H and Where to watch
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Match Info
Forge FC hosts Cavalry FC at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on Sunday, November 2, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT, broadcast on OneSoccer and TSN2.
This CPL Contender Semifinal represents one of the most competitive matchups in Canadian Premier League history, with these two clubs combining for seven of the eight CPL Finals played since the league’s inception in 2019.
The winner secures a place in the CPL Final away at Atlético Ottawa, while the loser’s season ends.
Forge’s Dominant Regular Season Derailed:
Despite winning the CPL Shield with 58 points from 28 matches, Forge faced shock elimination from a playoff position when Atlético Ottawa surged back from a 1-0 deficit to secure a 2-1 victory at Tim Hortons Field on October 27.
The regular-season champions, who haven’t lost at home in the regular season since their opening defeat to Monterrey, slipped to third place by winning percentage and were forced into the repechage bracket.
David Choinière’s clinical 23rd-minute finish gave Forge hope, but defensive lapses allowed Gabriel Antinoro and Sam Salter to complete Ottawa’s comeback.
Cavalry’s Underdog Sprint:
Defending champions Cavalry, while finishing third in the regular season with 45 points, have reinvigorated their playoff campaign with a commanding 4-1 demolition of York United in the quarterfinal.
Under Tommy Wheeldon Jr., Cavalry ended their season with optimism after breaking their long-standing curse at Tim Hortons Field last year with a 1-0 playoff victory, which subsequently led to the North Star Cup triumph. With that psychological edge and recent knockout punch against York, Cavalry arrive as dangerous challengers despite being unseeded.
Forge FC Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlético Ottawa (H) | 1-2 | L | CPL Championship Semifinal | Oct 27, 2025 |
| Cavalry FC (A) | 1-1 | D | CPL Regular Season | Oct 11, 2025 |
| Pacific FC (H) | 3-0 | W | CPL Regular Season | Oct 4, 2025 |
| York United (A) | 2-1 | W | CPL Regular Season | Sep 28, 2025 |
| Cavalry FC (H) | 2-1 | W | CPL Regular Season | Sep 14, 2025 |
Cavalry FC Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York United (A) | 4-1 | W | CPL Quarterfinal | Oct 25, 2025 |
| Forge FC (H) | 1-1 | D | CPL Regular Season | Oct 11, 2025 |
| Pacific FC (H) | 2-0 | W | CPL Regular Season | Oct 4, 2025 |
| Toronto FC (A) | 3-1 | W | CPL Regular Season | Sep 28, 2025 |
| Forge FC (A) | 1-2 | L | CPL Regular Season | Sep 14, 2025 |
Forge vs Cavalry H2H
The Forge-Cavalry rivalry represents the most storied matchup in Canadian Premier League history, with these franchises accounting for six of the seven CPL Finals and dominating playoff competition since the league’s inception.
Their head-to-head record reveals a surprisingly balanced rivalry despite Forge’s overall dominance, particularly in playoff football where Cavalry’s breakthrough last season changed the narrative.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Info | Played | Forge Wins | Draws | Cavalry Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Time Meetings | 33 | 15 | 8 | 10 |
| CPL Playoff Meetings | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Goals For | 39 | 37 | ||
| Goals Against | 37 | 39 |
Recent H2H (Last 5 Meetings)
| Info | Played | Forge Wins | Draws | Cavalry Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last 5 Meetings | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Last 5 Goals For | 5 | 4 | ||
| Last 5 Goals Against | 4 | 5 |
Forge holds a commanding advantage in playoff meetings with six victories in 10 encounters, yet the critical stat remains that none of the 17 all-time games between these clubs at Tim Hortons Field have been decided by more than one goal, highlighting the tactical balance and intensity of their home clashes.
Cavalry’s historic 1-0 victory at this venue in the 2024 playoff semifinal broke a long streak of Forge dominance, giving Wheeldon’s squad tremendous confidence heading into this rematch.
The recent 1-1 draw from October demonstrates the teams’ tactical understanding and how tightly contested their encounters remain in the regular season.
Forge vs Cavalry Current Team News
Forge FC Team News:
Forge host without key midfielder Tyler Attardo, who has been crucial to their pressing system and box-to-box contributions.
The loss of Attardo forces coach John Smutny to potentially adjust his midfield structure, potentially promoting Chiedozie Ogbene or deploying more creative responsibilities to Emery Welshman. David Choinière continues his exceptional playoff form with four goals in CPL playoff history, making him a central attacking threat.
Goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat remains available but must improve his positioning after lapses against Ottawa’s counterattacks.
However, Forge’s notable advantage lies in Daan Klomp’s absence from Cavalry’s squad, as the talented defender represents one of the most dangerous aerial threats in the league.
The home crowd at Tim Hortons Field, despite recent disappointments, typically provides Forge with significant psychological advantage due to their 11-0-6 record there in 2025 before the Ottawa loss.
Cavalry FC Team News:
Defending champions Cavalry operate at full strength, with Tobias Warschewski in exceptional form, recording five goal contributions (4 goals, 1 assist) in just three CPL playoff matches.
Captain Daan Klomp brings championship experience and leadership from the back, having won the North Star Cup with his dominant defensive performances last season.
Elliot Simmons continues as a creative force, while the striking partnership remains dangerous with multiple goal-scoring options.
Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s tactical setup capitalizes on Cavalry’s pressure-based system, and their recent victory over York demonstrates renewed sharpness after earlier struggles.
The psychological advantage of last year’s breakthrough at Tim Hortons Field cannot be understated, with players like Klomp openly discussing how the media narrative shifted after that victory.
Current Possible Starting Lineups of Forge vs Cavalry Semifinal
Forge FC Predicted XI (4-3-3): Koleilat; Ugarte, Piette, Politsuk, Andrich; Welshman, Ogbene, Smack; Prince, Choinière, Cabrera
Cavalry FC Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Soulodre; Warschewski, Klomp, Edwards, Polster; Simmons, Loparev; Navarro, Haber, Doner; Sulemani
Key Players to Watch in Forge vs Cavalry
Forge FC Key Players:
- David Choinière: Four-goal playoff legend with exceptional finishing in high-pressure moments, providing a clinical edge in front of the goal
- Emery Welshman: Creative midfielder who orchestrates possession and initiates Forge’s attacking transitions
- Jassem Koleilat: Goalkeeper providing shot-stopping ability and distribution, though recent lapses require focus
- Ali Adnan: Veteran defender anchoring Forge’s backline with experience in playoff football
Cavalry FC Key Players:
- Tobias Warschewski: Captain in red-hot playoff form with explosive finishing and leadership qualities
- Daan Klomp: Elite defender and playoff winner who provides confidence and aerial dominance
- Elliot Simmons: Creative midfielder who transitioned from an attacking role to controlling possession
- Jonti Richter: Goalkeeper offering shot-stopping and distribution consistency
Match Prediction of Forge vs Cavalry
This semifinal represents the culmination of a season-long rivalry that defines Canadian Premier League football, with Forge seeking revenge after their embarrassing home loss to Ottawa, while Cavalry arrive emboldened by their history-making playoff victory last season at this venue.
Forge’s superior goal-scoring record (47 goals in regular season vs. Cavalry’s 43) and home-field advantage provide tangible benefits, yet the tactical balance demonstrated across their five meetings this year (2 draws, 2 Forge wins, 1 Cavalry win) suggests a tightly contested encounter.
Key Statistical Insights:
- Cavalry has zero road wins in their past seven away matches, having conceded 16 goals during that stretch – a critical vulnerability
- Forge has lost just once at home against Cavalry in their past 11 Hamilton Stadium meetings, providing psychological comfort
- However, no Forge-Cavalry game at Tim Hortons Field has been decided by more than one goal – all 17 matches feature narrow margins
The absence of Tyler Attardo could prove significant for Forge’s midfield control, while Cavalry’s historic breakthrough at this venue cannot be ignored.
Cavalry’s explosive playoff form under Wheeldon demonstrates their capacity to overcome Forge’s regular-season dominance, yet Forge’s hunger for redemption after the Ottawa upset should prove decisive.
While Cavalry’s historical breakthrough and current playoff momentum create uncertainty, Forge’s home record, superior regular-season performance, and motivation for redemption should prove marginally decisive in an intensely competitive, likely low-scoring contest.
Where to watch Forge vs Cavalry semifinal Canadian Premier League football
Canada:
- TV: TSN2, OneSoccer
- Streaming: OneSoccer.ca, TSN Direct
- Time: 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT
United States:
- Streaming: OneSoccer+ (subscription available in the USA for CPL coverage)
- Time: 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT
United Kingdom:
- Streaming: Limited streaming options available internationally
- Time: 9:00 PM GMT
Australia:
Check local soccer streaming services or CPL international broadcast rights
- Time: 8:00 AM AEDT (Monday morning)
- International TV Broadcasting:
- CPL matches are available through regional broadcast partners. For viewers outside Canada, OneSoccer+ provides direct streaming access with subscription options.
