Toronto FC is set to welcome Forge at the BMO Field for their reverse match after recording a 2-1 loss against them in the Canadian Championship semi-final during the first-leg fixture. Toronto is hoping to bounce from their first-leg loss, but black clouds are lingering over their chances to qualify for the finals. John Herdman’s side will face Forge on Wednesday 28th August 2024 in what promises to be a thrilling fixture for both teams.
Forge has significantly dominated Canadian football this season and hopes to prove they are the team to beat by the end of this game. The Hamilton-based club has already won four Canadian Premier League titles and is on track to achieve a feat that no other team in the country has ever achieved – winning the highly coveted Canadian Soccer Tremble. That includes winning the TELUS Canadian Championship, the CPL Playoffs, and the CPL Title in a single season.
So, can Forge clinch the Voyageurs Cup, or will Toronto FC record an incredible comeback in their quest for the Canadian Championship glory? Here is a preview of the TELUS Canadian Champion second-leg fixture in the semi-final.
Toronto FC vs Forge: Who’s expected to win?
Toronto FC has recorded an incredible run in their Canadian Championship campaign, which started with an impressive 5-0 over Simcoe County Rovers in the preliminary round. The MLS giants went ahead to edge out Saint-Laurent in the quarter-finals, after beating them 3-0 in the first leg followed by a thrilling 8-1 win at home in the second leg. However, Toronto appears to be slumping after losing 2-1 against Forge on 11th July during their first-leg meeting in the semi-final.
Looking at their current form, experts at SportyTrader reckon they might have a challenging time reaching the Canadian Championship final although you can expect both sides to score. The TELUS Canadian Championship has emerged as the ultimate ground for Forge to prove their worth, hoping to win the Voyageurs Cup for the first time. The Canadian Premier League giants have already taken the first towards achieving this goal by beating CF Montreal in a thrilling quarterfinal encounter.
Forge is also one step closer to reaching the finals against the Pacific FC or Vancouver Whitecaps, after securing the crucial 2-1 win over Toronto FC in the first leg of the semi-finals. This victory put the Canadian giants in a solid position to reach the finals heading into their second-leg fixture. That’s considering that a win or draw will see them advancing to the finals.
Key Players to Watch
As Toronto FC hopes to bounce back in their second leg fixture, several key players will be leading the surge in their pursuit for glory. That includes talented starters like Prince Owusu, Kevin Long, and Matty Longstaff, who recorded a furious final attack against Forge in their first-leg fixture. These players will be crucial in Toronto’s quest for success and will be among the top talents to watch on John Herdman’s side.
On the other side, Forge has several talented players in their quest for glory. That includes the creative maestro Tristan Borges, who remains among the most dangerous attacking midfielders in Canada. Borges is known for his technical skills, vision, and ability to deliver results in clutch moments, making him a valuable asset for this game. Besides Borges, Forge will take on Toronto under the leadership of captain Kyle Bekker and will have several other key talents including Kwasi Poku and Christopher Kalongo.
