Match Preview: Forge FC vs. Atlético Ottawa

August 9, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release

2024 CPL Regular Season – Match #68

Forge FC vs. Atlético Ottawa

August 10, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET

Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario

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Saturday’s evening affair in Hamilton features a clash between two title contenders in the Canadian Premier League, as Forge FC host current leaders Atlético Ottawa in a contest that could define or shake up the regular season race.

Forge, looking up the table toward Ottawa from third place, still find themselves just four points off the top with 25 in total after 16 games. Forge have a 7-4-5 record, but they come into Saturday looking to shake off last Sunday’s defeat in Winnipeg to Valour FC. Although the Hammers recovered from an early deficit in that game with Tristan Borges’ well-taken equalizer, they conceded again shortly after and left Manitoba with no points.

Still, beating Forge on home turf would be a different proposition entirely. They’ve lost just one league match at Tim Hortons Field this year, with a 6-1-1 record. Last time they played in Hamilton, they beat Halifax Wanderers FC 3-0 thanks to a Kwasi Poku brace.

The challengers to that record on Saturday will be Atlético Ottawa, who have been sitting in first place since matchweek four. With a record of 8-5-4, they’re one point up on second-place York United FC.

Things haven’t been so rosy in recent weeks for Ottawa, though. In fact, they’re winless in their last three games, losing two in a row to York United and Cavalry FC. Their most recent win was a 3-0 result over Vancouver FC almost a month ago on July 12.

One of Atleti’s more recent triumphs, though, was a 4-3 win over Forge in late June. That was arguably the most entertaining match of the CPL season so far, with a second-half goalfest producing a 4-3 win for Ottawa, as Liberman Torres scored a 93rd-minute headed winner, making up for his giveaway to concede an equalizer just moments prior.

Historically, Forge have had the edge of Atleti with 11 wins in 18 meetings, but they’ve lost their last three against the capital club, including twice this season and once in the last game of the 2023 regular season (the sides’ most recent meeting in Hamilton).

Most of each club’s familiar faces should be available on Saturday,…