After Covid-19 and travel restrictions forced the competition into a two-year delay, Toronto FC and Forge FC finally met on Saturday at Tim Hortons Field to fight for the title of 2020 Canadian Championship winner.
Alejandro Pozuelo kicked off the scoring for the Major League Soccer side in the 57th minute, managing an unstoppable strike past Forge FC goalkeeper Triston Henry. But the Canadian Premier League team didn’t waste time, with Tristan Borges scoring the equalizer only three minutes later.
The 1-1 90-minute draw saw both sides prepare for penalties before Toronto FC ultimately defeated Forge FC 5-4 when Canadian Premier League defender Kwasi Poku hit the crossbar on his side’s final attempt during sudden death.
As celebrations broke out among the 13,715 fans in Hamilton, Toronto FC became the 2020 Canadian Championship winners and lifted their record-breaking eighth Voyageurs cup.
“You’ve got guys here who were still here in 2020,” said TFC head coach Bob Bradley, who earned his first trophy since taking over Toronto FC during the offseason. “For the club, for the supporters, the history of TFC in this last stretch, to be able to add to it today, those are all great.”
Despite the disappointing result, Forge FC walks away having made history. The team stands as the first Canadian Premier League team to take part in the final of a Canadian Championship.
“It was a very good performance from our guys,” said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis. “It’s tough for this evening, but if you perform like this you win a lot of games.”
The winner of the trophy earns an accompanying Concacaf Champions League spot, however, given the delays, Toronto FC received the ticket in March 2021. In exchange, Forge FC got the right to eventually host the final when it could be played.
Now, with the 2022 Canadian Championship underway, Toronto FC turn their attention to their semifinal match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on June 22. The winner of the tournament’s current edition secures a 2023 Concacaf Champions League spot.
