Forge FC from Hamilton carries a 2-1 advantage into the second leg of the Canadian Championship semifinals on Tuesday night. Toronto FC defender Kevin Long and Forge FC forward Beni Badibanga were in a tight contest for the ball during the second half of the semifinal game in Hamilton on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Credit: The Canadian Press/Nick Iwanyshyn)
Toronto FC faces a critical challenge in the Canadian Championship semifinal, trailing 2-1 on aggregate to Forge FC of Hamilton. Despite the deficit, Toronto is showing signs of resurgence, transforming itself into a more cohesive unit over the past month.
Kevin Long, Toronto’s center-back, reflected on the team's journey. "Every season has its highs and lows, and we've experienced both. Right now, we're in good form, and we want to keep that momentum," Long commented.
Toronto’s 2-1 loss to Forge FC at Hamilton's Tim Hortons Field on July 10 marked a low point in their season, extending their losing streak to seven games across all competitions. The defeat triggered changes within the club, including the departure of Toronto FC's owner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and team president Bill Manning. Since then, Toronto FC has seen a remarkable turnaround, winning four of their last six matches, with the only two losses coming against Major League Soccer’s top team, Inter Miami.
Long emphasized that the team has learned valuable lessons from their earlier encounter with Forge FC. "We weren’t at our best in the first leg, but now we've seen them up close, and we’ve learned a lot. We’re ready to turn that around and win," he added.
However, Forge FC's head coach and sporting director, Bobby Smyrniotis, downplayed the idea that Toronto's recent form would dictate the outcome of the semifinal. He pointed out that cup matches, especially with aggregate goals in play, are a different kind of competition. "Momentum doesn't matter here. It's all about this one match, and Toronto has enough talent to succeed regardless of form," Smyrniotis noted.
Forge FC has also seen changes, particularly with the departure of striker Kwasi Poku, who was transferred to Belgian side RWD Molenbeek for a CPL-record fee. Despite this, Forge remains confident. Smyrniotis believes that the team's tactical adjustments, especially on defense, will be crucial in holding off Toronto in the second leg.
The match against Forge comes during a demanding stretch for Toronto FC, who are playing three matches in just eight days. After a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo on Saturday, Toronto will host Forge on Tuesday, followed by a match against D.C. United in MLS play.
Toronto FC's head coach, John Herdman, acknowledged the challenges of balancing player workload during this intense period. "We take it game by game, balancing the accumulation of minutes with our players' desire to compete. It’s a fine line," Herdman stated.
Controversy has surrounded Herdman recently, stemming from his time coaching Canada’s women’s and men’s national teams. Current women’s head coach Bev Priestman was dismissed from the Paris Olympics after it was revealed that Canada used drones to spy on rival teams' training sessions—a practice that allegedly began under Herdman’s leadership. A recent report also suggested that a drone was spotted over Forge FC’s training session before the semifinal’s first leg.
Despite the distractions, Smyrniotis remained focused on the task at hand. "I’m not here to speculate on drones. My focus is on the ground, on the field, and preparing my team for the match," he said.
Toronto FC will need to harness all their newfound cohesion and determination if they hope to overcome Forge FC's lead and advance to the Canadian Championship final.
