FT: 2020 CPL Final: Forge FC 2-0 HFX Wanderers FC—Match thread

Live Thread

FT — It’s over in Charlottetown! Forge FC repeat as Canadian Premier League champions, beating HFX 2-0.

89’ — Forge FC 2-0 HFX Wanderers — GOAL! Maxim Tissot fired a shot from really far out at Christian Oxner, and the HFX ‘keeper mistakenly let it past him, and into the goal. It’s a heartbreaking goal to give up, and this game is now out of reach.

80’ — Mo Babouli! The Forge attacker showed off some tricks, beating a pair of HFX defenders, but couldn’t find a shot or cross.

Subs: Forge bring on Max Tissot in for Paolo Sabak and Anthony Novak in for Mo Babouli. HFX bring on Omar Kreim for João Morelli.

75’ — One last drinks break. HFX have 15 minutes left to find a goal.

71’ — Corey Bent comes on to replace Alessandro Riggi.

67’ — Forge make the first substitution, with Kadell Thomas replacing Jonathan Grant.

65’ — David Edgar goes into the book for a professional foul on Akeem Garcia. Garcia had him beat for pace, so the Forge defender dragged him down.

64’ — Forge have upped the pressure here. They’re looking to put this game to bed, but HFX are scrambling the ball away.

60’ — Forge FC 1-0 HFX Wanderers — GOAL! Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson heads the ball home from a yard out, and Forge take the lead! A sensational cross from Mo Babouli set that one up.

58’ — Jonny Grant goes into the book.

53’ —Daniel Krutzen takes a free kick for Forge, but it goes wide.

46’ — We’re back for the second half! Akeem Garcia hasn’t seen much of the ball in this one, something HFX will be hoping to change as they look for the game’s first goal.

HT — Halftime in Charlottetown and we’re still waiting for the opening goal. If this match ends in a draw, it’ll go straight to penalties.

40’ — A shot from Alessandro Riggi strikes David Edgar and bounces to Golden Boot winner Akeem Garcia. He fires it right at Triston Henry, but it was called offside anyway. There were shouts for a handball against Edgar, but the referee doesn’t call it. A much weaker handball was called in the last meeting between these sides...

38’ — Christian Oxner landed awkwardly while reaching for the ball on a corner, but he looks to be okay.

30’ — Water break in PEI. Neither side has had a great scoring chance yet, as both sets of defenders are standing tall. Bring defensively sound is what’s going to win this match.

22’ — HFX usually don’t win the possession battle, but they’re in the driver’s seat thus far.

17’ — Forge are picking up the pace! This game is full of quick counter attacks, and it feels as though a goal is coming, just need one of the two teams to find it.

15’ — Paolo Sabak must be pretty dizzy...

8’ — HFX are putting pressure on Forge early. They’ve had most of the ball in these early moments. There’s been a number of early corners, but nothing came of any of them.

1’ — This match is underway! We’re 90 minutes away from knowing the 2020 CPL champion.

Pregame:

1:48 p.m. EST — Not long to go! Fans of both teams are ready for this one!

1:35 p.m. EST — The kits for today’s match:

1:22 p.m. EST— Less than one hour until kickoff! Let us know in the comments who you think is going to take home the North Star Shield!

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Starting Lineups

Mo Babouli gets the start up top for Forge FC, as they play yet another different front three.

After heavily rotating their lineup against Pacific FC, HFX is back to full-strength. Golden Boot frontrunner Akeem Garcia starts up top for the Wanderers.

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Preview

The 2020 Canadian Premier League champion will be awarded the North Star Shield this afternoon.

Reigning champs Forge FC take on HFX Wanderers, who are hoping to pull off a dramatic “worst-to-first” turnaround after finishing at the bottom of the table in 2019.

There are no suspensions on either side today, but OneSoccer’s Oliver Platt has an injury update:

For my full preview of today’s match, click here.

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How To Watch

This match is available live on OneSoccer and CBC at 2 p.m. EST.