Forge’s 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign came to an end Tuesday night as they were defeated by Monterrey.

The Mexican giants showed their strength and quality, scoring 5 throughout 2 legs against the Hammers.

For Forge, this result was expected, though perhaps the performance wasn’t what they had hoped for.



Forge fielded the same team in both matches, starting Jassem Koleilat in net, with Rezart Rama, Dan Nimick, Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, and Marko Jevremovi? completing the backline. In the middle were Kyle Bekker, Alessandro Hojabrpour, and reigning Canadian Premier League MVP Tristan Borges. David Choinère, Mo Babouli, and Brian Wright were the three forwards.

Bobby Smyrniotis stayed loyal to his playing style, with Forge looking to stay in possession and build up slowly.

In the home leg, it worked to a certain extent. It’d be unfair to say Forge didn’t deserve at least 2 goals that game, with both Brian Wright and Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson missing wide-open nets, though the latter was positioned at a weird angle, I should add.

Forge did everything to score… except score. When you’re facing a team like Monterrey, those missed opportunities will come back to haunt you.

The Liga MX outfit scored two fantastic goals in the second half, earning a 2-0 away victory.

Chances of a Forge comeback in the away leg were little to none. At this point and with this score, all you could do is play well and try to get a goal or two.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

Monterrey completely dominated the Hammers in Mexico, with Forge barely touching the ball. They did have their moments, but for over 70 minutes, it was all Rayados’.

Tristan Borges hit the crossbar in the 12th minute after getting past two defenders.

In the second half, more specifically at the 71st minute, Bobby opted to sub in Amadou Koné for David Choinière, Maxim Filion for Brian Wright, and finally, Khadim Kane for Kyle Bekker.

While it felt like a "let's just give the kids some playtime" move, the substitutions ended up working surprisingly well. In fact, they helped so much that it’s fair to say Forge controlled the match until the final whistle, with Rayados barely getting forward.

Koné did some great damage on the left wing, creating a few chances and doing what the Hamiltonians couldn’t do for most of the game.

Filion almost got to the end of a great cross by Borges, but Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas got a hand to it to send it out for a corner.

Just a few minutes later, Hojabrpour had the ball going his way in what would’ve been an easy finish, but Filion, who didn’t see the midfielder, blocked the ball and left it for Koné, whose shot was saved by Cárdenas. Hojabrpour almost got the rebound but a great tackle from the Monterrey defence prevented the consolation goal.

Ben Paton, who was subbed on for Rezart Rama at the 79th minute, had a great semi-volley which was saved by Luis Cárdenas.

After all, the net just wouldn’t open for the Hammers, who, for the first time ever, finished a Champions Cup campaign without scoring.

Publisher’s Player of the Match(es): Tristan Borges
Borges was by far the best Forge player in the series, creating numerous chances and getting the ball out to the wingers when most of the team couldn’t. It looks like he won’t be leaving that #10 role anytime soon.

What’s next for Forge?
The reigning CPL Shield winners return to action in under two months, hosting Cavalry in the season opener on April 5. Before that, they'll take a two-week break before resuming training, with matches lined up against several teams, including League1 Ontario side Simcoe County Rovers.