For the first time in 2025, York United and Forge FC met in the 905 Derby on Sunday and treated fans to a riveting first half with two penalties for either side as the game finished level 2-2. The rivalry, the 27th meeting between the sides, started six years ago to the day in the Canadian Premier League’s first-ever match.
The opening minutes were exciting as both teams looked to bounce back from mixed results last weekend. York had an early chance in the 8th minute as Max Ferrari cut in from the right to his left foot, but Forge goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat denied the opportunity.
- Photo gallery: York United held to home draw by Forge FC
Forge struck first in the 12th minute. Alessandro Hojabrpour played a beautifully weighted clipped ball over the top to Tristan Borges, who squared a low cross into the six-yard box for Rezart Rama. After the initial attempt was saved by York goalkeeper Diego Urtiaga, Rama put in his rebound from the ground to give Forge the early lead.
York replied two minutes later with a stunner from outside the box. Julian Altobelli found Riley Ferrazzo square across the top of the box with space, and with a touch to open up his body, curled a shot past Koleilat into the bottom right corner to level the score at 1-1.
York continued to put on the attacking pressure. Minutes later, Shola Jimoh drove down the right side past Rama and sent in a cross to Altobelli, whose volley was just wide of the net.
Penalties for both sides
In the 26th minute, Jimoh again found Altobelli with a high looping cross, but Altobelli’s header hit the crossbar. Off the ensuing rebound, the ball found its way to Gabrial Bitar, whose quick dribbling between Forge defenders forced an errant kick-out tackle from Borges, sending Bitar to the ground and drawing a penalty shot. Altobelli stepped up to the spot and placed his penalty into the right side netting to give York a well-deserved 2-1 lead. This was Altobelli’s league-leading fourth goal in four games this season.
Asked about his goal-scoring form and his role on the team, Altobelli said post-game, “I love to find little pockets and get into areas to score goals. I enjoy the feeling of the ball going into the back of the net. I’m someone who wants to score goals, and I’m comfortable playing in different positions.”
Forge had an opportunity of their own in the 30th minute. A great curling over-the-top ball from Kyle Bekker sent Brian Wright on a breakaway, but Urtiaga came off his line to deny the chance.
Loading ...Moments later, Forge drew a penalty of their own, off a corner kick that skimmed the arm of York defender Nyal Higgins. Wright made no mistake against his former team as he stepped up to the spot and powered a shot just off the center to equalize the match at 2-2.
York appealed for another penalty in the 41st minute as Jimoh was brought down in the box, but play continued.
York United (green) and Forge FC (white) draw 2-2 in Canadian Premier League action in Toronto, Ontario Sunday, April 27, 2025. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
There was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of the first half, with both sides level in possession and goal-scoring opportunities.
Off a corner kick in the 62nd minute, York defender Oswaldo León had a great chance as the ball snuck to the back post, but he sent his shot over the bar. York had a couple of other half-chances later. In the 71st minute, through a nice passing sequence, Altobelli had a shot awkwardly saved by Koleilat. New signing Bryan De La Rosa made his debut off the bench and had an instant impact. Picking the pocket of defender Dan Nimick, he got in behind the defensive line and passed a ball to an open Bitar. However, the second touch by Bitar allowed Forge defender Ben Paton in, denying Bitar a chance to shoot.
After an exciting first half, the second was more defensive, with only one shot on target from the two sides. Once again, York’s attack was driven from their wings as Ferrari and Ferrazzo allowed Bitar and Altobelli the freedom to find pockets of space in a fluid attacking system. Forge continued their eight-game unbeaten streak against York in all competitions, while York still searches for their first home win of the season.
“After the first goal, we made unforced errors,” said Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis post-game. “Goals come from brilliance or errors from a team. After the early goal, we dropped our level and relaxed. The first half got away from us a little.
“In the second half, I thought we were better. I thought we controlled the tempo of the match. We couldn’t find the right areas and gaps to get through. In the first couple of minutes, the game plan’s good. We’re getting in the right zones, playing around their block, then we score and stop in that moment. After the first 15 minutes, random football happens.”
This was echoed by Rama post-game.
“I’m not happy with our performance,” said Rama. “We started strong, then we slowed down. After the goal, our focus came down. We can’t do that in a game.”
York United (green) and Forge FC (white) draw 2-2 in Canadian Premier League action in Toronto, Ontario Sunday, April 27, 2025. Photo: Indi Kumala/Total Soccer News
And while York United would have preferred a home victory, their coach was satisfied with the effort his team produced.
“I think their [Forge] goal made us release, and we started growing into the game,” said Mauro Eustáquio post-game. “Overall, we did well. I think we’re growing a new system of play. I’m happy with where we are, but we need to continue to grow. I think it’s the details. We have to make sure we’re concentrated and we don’t switch off. We just need that end product to come out.
“They’ve done the work, they showed character today, we never ran away from the game plan, and we created opportunities.”
And Altobelli agreed with his coach.
“The game was back and forth, I thought we created a lot of chances,” he said. “It comes within us to push. I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
York United’s next game will be at home against Cavalry FC on Friday, May 2. Forge FC will continue on the road in Halifax against the Wanderers on Saturday, May 3.
