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Forge defeated Atlético Ottawa 2-0 in the season opener, with Brian Wright converting from the spot in the first half following a video review, and Ben Paton doubling the hosts' lead in the second half.
Football Video Support was used three times during the match, with all of the challenges ending in Forge's favour.
With Kyle Bekker, Nana Ampomah, Dan Nimick, and Daniel Krutzen all absent, the Hammers lined up in their classic 4-3-3, with Dimitry Bertaud in goal behind a back four of Ben Paton, Marko Jevremovic, Antoine Batisse, and Rezart Rama. Mo Babouli, Anthony Aromatario, and Tristan Borges formed the midfield three, with Kevaughn Tavernier and Hoce Massunda on the wings and Brian Wright deployed as the nine.
For Ottawa, Tristan Crampton made his debut in goal after Garissone Innocent was ruled out through injury. Sergei Kozlovskiy, Noah Abatneh, and Tyr Walker formed the back three, with Joaquim Coulanges and Gabriel Antinoro as wingbacks. Manu Aparicio and Juan Castro made up the double pivot, with Ballou Tabla, Erling Myklebust, and Daniel Aguilar leading the line.
Atlético Ottawa retained possession for most of the game, but failed to register a single shot.
Forge stayed back, with the front three blocking off any passing lane to Aparicio and Castro in the middle, forcing the visiting side to play on the wings, where they were outnumbered multiple times.
In the 15th minute, Brian Wright was brought down inside the box by Tristan Crampton following a free-kick, prompting referee Yusri Rudolf to point to the spot.
Atlético Ottawa head coach Diego Mejía used one of his challenge cards, asking for a foul in the buildup to the awarded penalty.
After looking at the replays in the pitchside monitor for over five minutes, Rudolf upheld his decision, seeing Brian Wright step up and convert his penalty, putting Forge 1-0 ahead.
Ottawa challenge the penalty awarded to Forge FC and are unsuccessful.
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 4, 2026
Forge FC’s Brian Wright converts from the spot and it’s a 1-0 game.@CPLSoccer | #CPLSoccer pic.twitter.com/NbyPL7l2Yi
Ottawa rarely threatened, managing just four touches in the opposition box across the entire match.
In the 68th minute, Ben Paton pounced on a loose ball inside the box following a free kick scramble, slotting past Crampton to double Forge's lead. Football Video Support was called into action once again, though this time not at Ottawa's request. Fourth official Scott Bowman asked referee Yusri Rudolf to review the build-up to the goal, with Antoine Batisse having touched the ball with his arm. After checking the footage, Rudolf deemed the arm to be in a natural position and upheld the goal.
In the post-match press conference, Ottawa head coach Diego Mejía made no secret of his frustration with the call, saying the issue was not with the challenge itself but with the clarity of the rules. The Mexican coach pointed out that Paton's shot came directly after Batisse's handball, and to his credit, it did.
ANOTHER FOR FORGE FC!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 4, 2026
It's a 2-0 game in the 68th minute.#CPLSoccer pic.twitter.com/zF55xLyK1y
Atlético Ottawa head coach Diego Mejía gave his opinion on Football Video Support after his side’s 2-0 loss to Forge on opening day. Ottawa used both available challenge cards, but were unsuccessful both times.
— TrueNorthFoot ⚽️🇨🇦 (@truenorthfoot) April 4, 2026
“The problem is not about the challenge; the problem is the rules.… pic.twitter.com/Cdx15nU4hk
Ottawa offered little threat after the second goal, and it was Forge who continued to create chances, though a third goal would not come.
The Hammers finished the match having outshot their opponents 10-0 despite holding just 35% of the possession, opening the Canadian Premier League season with a win for the third year running.
Forge are back in action next Sunday when they travel to Langley to face Vancouver FC, while Atlético Ottawa look to bounce back with a visit to Cavalry at ATCO Field on Sunday, a ground where they have historically enjoyed strong results.
