Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Forge and Cavalry are set to meet once again in the Canadian Premier League playoffs.
Forge fell to Atlético Ottawa at home in the first semi-final, while Cavalry cruised past York without much trouble. With Ottawa already booked for the final, the remaining spot will be decided between the two long-time rivals.
It’s the most-played fixture in Canadian Premier League history, with Forge and Cavalry meeting 36 times since the league’s inaugural 2019 season. Forge holds the edge with 15 wins, while Cavalry has 11, and 10 matches have ended in draws.
In the playoffs—including the 2020 Island Games group stage, officially recognized as part of the post-season—the two sides have clashed nine times. Forge has come out on top in six of those encounters, Cavalry in two, with one draw between them.
2024
The last two playoff meetings between Cavalry and Forge came in 2024, when the Cavs defeated the Hammers twice — first in the opening semi-final, and later in the grand final.
November 9: Cavalry 2-1 Forge
October 27: Forge 0-1 Cavalry
It was the first time Cavalry had defeated their bitter rivals in the playoffs. All the other years, the games went Forge's way.
2023
The year before was an exact copy of 2024, but this time, it was Forge who lifted the cup.
They defeated Cavalry in the opening semi-final, and then beat them again in the final thanks to arguably the most iconic goal in the league's history: Tristan Borges' extra-time olimpico.
October 28, 2023: Forge 2-1 Cavalry (a.e.t.)
October 14, 2023: Cavalry 1-2 Forge
2022
The Hammers defeated Cavalry in the semi-finals over two legs, drawing the first match before winning the second 2-1. Woobens Pacius scored in both games, sending Forge to the final, which they would go on to win.
October 23, 2022: Forge 2-1 Cavalry (leg 2)
October 15, 2022: Cavalry 1-1 Forge (leg 1)
2020
While it wasn’t an elimination match on paper, Forge effectively eliminated Cavalry during the group stage of the 2020 Island Games. Facing Pacific and Halifax as the other two teams in the group, Forge’s victory secured their own place in the final, confirmed Halifax’s qualification, and simultaneously eliminated the Cavs.
September 15, 2020: Forge 1-0 Cavalry
2019
The inaugural Canadian Premier League season saw Forge and Cavalry meet in the first-ever final – the only two “playoff” teams under the original two-legged format.
Forge dominated the first leg and took a 1-0 lead thanks to a late first-half goal from Tristan Borges. While this match didn’t necessarily mark the start of their rivalry, it certainly fueled it. Joel Waterman was sent off in the first half, followed by Borges in the second. Before the return leg, Borges’ red card was overturned, but Waterman’s suspension stood.
The second leg followed a similar script: the home side controlled the game while the visitors defended deep. Once again, Forge came out on top 1-0, with David Choinière scoring in the final minutes to secure the first-ever CPL title – the first of four for the Hamilton-based club.
November 2, 2019: Cavalry 0-1 Forge
October 26, 2019: Forge 1-0 Cavalry
