The final leg of the opening round of the CPL play-offs is almost here, as the final four clubs prepare to battle for a place in the championship. The day's opening fixture sees defending CPL champions Atlético Ottawa travel to Hamilton to take on four-time CPL Shield winners and recent Voyageurs Cup champions Forge. With the aggregate score at 2-2, both sides have everything to play for as they look to leave their mark on this encounter and move one step closer to etching their names into Canadian football history.
How Forge FC come into the match
Focus and determination will likely be at the heart of Bobby Smyrniotis and his coaching staff's message to their squad as they prepare for this decisive encounter. The boys in orange may feel somewhat fortunate to have escaped TD Place with a draw, but will undoubtedly take confidence from returning home, where the Forge faithful await.
There is also reason for optimism in the return of Lucas Cavallini, who is expected to be available after recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained against CF Montréal in the Canadian Championship final. His presence gives Forge an established striker and a well-rounded finisher, adding another dimension to an attack eager to find its rhythm.
Forge have enjoyed a tremendously successful 2026 campaign, but one lingering concern has been their ability to turn promising opportunities into goals. At this stage of the season, chances are precious, and the Hammers will need to be more clinical in front of Chris Kalongo's goal to secure their place in the next round. With the blue-collar city of Hamilton behind them and a championship within their grasp, Forge will know that this is a moment to rise to the occasion.
How Atlético Ottawa come into the match
The boys in red and white have every reason to believe, after their performance in the opening leg, that they are in contention, putting together a spirited display and staying firmly in contention against the CPL's perennial powerhouse. Gustavo Leal has done well to prepare his squad for the challenge, and his players' commitment to him is evident in how they approach these encounters.
The Atleti forwards did well to unsettle the Forge back line, applying pressure and making the most of the opportunities that came their way. They will need to summon that same intensity once again and bring the fight to the Hammers, knowing that a place in the championship remains within their reach.
At the other end of the pitch, the Canadian centre-back pairing of Sergei Koslovsky and Julian Dunn were particularly impressive in the first leg. Their composure and defensive work will be called upon once more — perhaps even more so — as they prepare to face a demanding Forge attack in front of a passionate Hamilton crowd. For Atlético, the challenge will be to weather the atmosphere, remain disciplined, and find the courage to play their football when the pressure is at its greatest.
Little separates these two sides, and with everything still to be decided, the second leg promises another compelling chapter in a rivalry that continues to shape the growing story of Canadian football.
Projected XIs
Forge FC (4-3-3): Dimitry Bertaud; Marko Jevremović, Dan Nimick, Manjrekar James, Rezart Rama; Antoine Batisse, Anthony Aromatario, Noah Jensen; Aghilas Sadek, Ismaël Oketokoun, Maxime Bourgeois
Atlético Ottawa (3-4-3): Christopher Kalongo; Julian Dunn, Loïc Cloutier, Sergei Koslovsky; Joaquim Coulanges, Manny Aparicio, Diego Gutiérrez, Tim Arnaud; Ballou Tabla, Nicolas Fleuriau-Chateau, Emiliano García
Game information and how to watch
📆 Saturday, 7 November 2026
⏰ 1:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PDT
📺 OneSoccer, TSN
👨⚖️ Sebastian Noshinravani
🏟 Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton, Canada
