Defending Canadian Premier League (CPL) champions Cavalry FC were held to a 1–1 draw by Forge FC at Hamilton Stadium Saturday, as Sergio Camargo’s early strike was cancelled out by a thunderous Nana Opoku Ampomah volley.
The Cavs entered the match flying high after four consecutive league wins, including dominant 4-0 victories over both Pacific FC and Valour FC.
But their regular-season struggles in Hamilton persisted. The outfit from Calgary has now failed to win there in league play since the final day of the 2021 season.
Despite the result, Tommy Wheeldon Jr.’s side earned a hard-fought point away from home and extended their unbeaten run to five matches in league play.
“We were here and probably created more goalscoring opportunities in the last game and we left with zero points,” said Wheeldon Jr. post-match. “So to take a point on the road, to take anything on the road helps.”
Rivals strike early in open first half
It took Cavalry just 73 seconds to take the lead when Camargo buried a first-time finish into the top corner, thereby breaking Forge goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat’s run of four clean sheets in his last seven matches.
The move started when centre back Callum Montgomery launched a pinpoint diagonal ball to right back Fraser Aird, who surged into space and delivered a low cross for Camargo.
Forge FC, however, responded soon after with increasing pressure as they scored the equalizer in spectacular fashion in the 16th minute.
After skipper Kyle Bekker rattled the post from distance, left winger Hoce Massunda acrobatically kept the ball in play with a bicycle-style pass into the box. Ampomah then latched onto it and hammered a volley past Marco Carducci for his second of the season.
The Hammers steadily took control of the match from that point onwards, winning 63% of first-half duels and pinning Cavalry back with wide play.
Massunda, making his first professional start, and Ampomah caused problems down both flanks, while Mo Babouli – the lone goalscorer from the last time the two teams met – pulled the strings through the middle.
Babouli nearly helped Forge take the lead at the 27-minute mark, releasing Brian Wright to go one-on-one with Carducci. But the Cavs skipper made a huge save to deny him. It was one of several crucial interventions from Carducci during the match.
“We’re a bit disappointed in how we conceded the goal after he’s made a big save,” said Wheeldon Jr. “That’s what you want your keeper to do, pull you out when you’re on your heels. It’s like a boxer in a ring — when you’ve been rocked back, you need to regain your momentum.”
Forge ended the half stronger, forcing corners and nearly finding a breakthrough through Wright again, while Cavalry hung on for the halftime whistle.
Midfield war defines second half as both sides chase winner
The second half began with Forge maintaining their aggressive, direct style, while Cavalry pushed higher in search of control. But clear chances were scarce as both teams stayed locked in a midfield battle.
Forge’s pressing game disrupted Cavalry’s rhythm, limiting Tobias Warschewski’s influence. And on the other end, Babouli remained Forge’s spark, though the final ball often lacked precision.
Cavalry showed more attacking purpose past the hour mark, but Forge stayed compact and dangerous in transition. A key block from central defender Levi Laing denied Wright in the 62nd minute and the match tightened into a cagey, tactical affair.
Substitute Caniggia Elva – returning after a brief injury spell – added some late energy for Cavalry just before Ali Musse’s curling free-kick in the 80th minute whistled over the goal.
But it was Forge that came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 85th minute when Ampomah’s low cross found Babouli, whose half-volley just grazed the side netting.
In stoppage time, it was Cavalry’s turn to nearly steal the match when the ball fell to Warschewski in the box. However, the German’s low shot was calmly collected by Koleilat.
As both teams held on for a point, Forge maintained their unbeaten league record, while Cavalry extended their winless run in Hamilton — yet showed their quality in a contest worthy of this growing rivalry.
“Points on the road are huge,” said Carducci after the match. “It’s a difficult place to come and play. Our start was magic and we had to dig in near the end. I think this point will be something we’ll take home with us and build off of.”
Cavalry will now return to Spruce Meadows next weekend to host York United. Forge, meanwhile, will stay at home to face Halifax Wanderers on Sunday, June 8.
