It was a dramatic match that saw both teams experience elation, misery, and, at times, bewilderment as league leaders Forge came from two goals down to earn a 3-2 victory over Vancouver FC on a scorching hot day in front of the Forge faithful. Here are some talking points from tonight's matchup.
Hard day at the office for both teams
Neither team will be going into the locker room with their heads held very high after today's performance. Forge will be disappointed that individual mistakes nearly cost them all three points, while Vancouver will be frustrated to have surrendered a hard-fought 2-0 lead and ultimately lose the match.
Individual mistakes cost both teams dearly
Both managers will be pleased with the effort their sides displayed, but the quality on the pitch left a bit to be desired. It started in the seventh minute when Nana Ampomah played a driven ball between Antoine Batisse and Mo Babouli, allowing it to run through to the onrushing Elage Bah. He perfectly weighted a through ball for Terran Campbell, who opened the scoring.
Forge found themselves picking the ball out of the back of the net again in the 47th minute when a quick flick by long-time captain Kyle Bekker sailed over the head of Dan Nimick, allowing the ever-quick Elage Bah to pounce on the loose ball and calmly push it past Dimitry Bertaud to double Vancouver's lead.
That was about where the elation ended for the Eagles, however, as mistakes from Callum Irving and Vancouver's backline allowed the Hammers to complete an improbable comeback.
Nightmare performance from Irving
It was a day to forget for the 33-year-old Vancouver native. The usually reliable fourth-year Eagle will feel he could have done better on Forge's second and third goals. He was caught ball-watching on a 25-30-yard strike from 29-year-old Dutch-born defender Daniel Krutzen and was late to react to Antoine Batisse's effort through a crowd of players that found the back of the net.
Irving might also have hoped to do better on Forge's first goal, but Tristan Borges struck the ball powerfully from just outside the six-yard box, making it a difficult save for any goalkeeper in the league.
Standout performers
Elage Bah looked like the best player on the pitch at Hamilton Stadium, using his pace and dribbling to beat defenders and record a goal and an assist consistently. Matteo Campagna and Kian Proctor also impressed, with the young centre-back pairing looking composed on the ball and making several crucial blocks. It's a partnership that should have Martin Nash and Vancouver supporters excited about the future.
Terran Campbell also deserves recognition for his intelligent run and composed finish to open the scoring.
For Forge, Tristan Borges once again showed his quality, finishing clinically after a clever flick from Brian Wright. Noah Jensen and Maxime Bourgeois also made a noticeable impact off the bench, bringing fresh energy and helping swing the momentum in Forge's favour.
