Forge FC midfielder David Choiniere, left, fends off a York United FC defender in Canadian Championship preliminary-round play in Hamilton in this Wednesday, May 1, 2024 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS
In Wednesday's Canadian Championship preliminary-round action, Forge FC and Atletico Ottawa, leading teams in the Canadian Premier League, secured impressive victories.
Forge, topping the CPL standings at 3-0-0, overpowered York United FC 3-1, with a dominant first-half performance. Meanwhile, Atletico Ottawa, second in the standings at 2-0-1, delivered a crushing 7-0 defeat to struggling Valour FC, setting a new tournament scoring record.
Forge asserted its dominance early, leading 3-0 at halftime before making strategic substitutions in the second half at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ont.
At TD Place Stadium in Ottawa, goals poured in rapidly as the home team surged to a 4-0 halftime lead. Ottawa continued their relentless attack in the second half, scoring two goals within a minute and adding three more in a span of six minutes.
In the late match, Pacific FC staged a dramatic comeback, with Reon Moore netting a crucial goal eight minutes into stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw against TSS Rovers. Pacific FC then clinched victory in a tense penalty shootout, winning 5-4. Michael Hennessy had initially put TSS Rovers ahead in the 75th minute.
Forge FC advances to face 2023 runner-up CF Montreal in the quarterfinals, while Atletico Ottawa will take on Pacific FC.
Last week, Cavalry FC narrowly defeated Vancouver FC 1-0, while Toronto FC cruised to a 5-0 win over League1 Ontario champion Simcoe County Rovers. Cavalry FC will now face defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps in the quarterfinals.
Both Vancouver and Montreal received first-round byes in the 14-team tournament.
The preliminary round concludes Thursday with Halifax Wanderers FC hosting Ligue1 Quebec champion CS Saint-Laurent. The winner will advance to face Toronto FC.
