Forge FC set the standards in Canadian Premier League
World Soccer|April 2023
In one of the most important periods in Canada’s football history, with the CONCACAF nation ending their 36-year wait for World Cup qualification in Qatar and co-hosting duties to come in 2026, the Canadian Premier League (CPL) represents a major step forward by providing the country with a professional league
Danny Lewis
Forge FC set the standards in Canadian Premier League

Having faced down challenges such as COVID and the dissolution of FC Edmonton, the CPL has evolved and developed since its inception in 2019. Amid all of this, one thing has always remained the same as the league enters its fifth campaign: Forge FC’s status as standard setters.

The format of the competition is an eight-team league, with the top four advancing to play-offs to compete for the North Star Shield trophy. Of the four seasons that have been played to date, Forge have been champions in three, and lost in the final of the other.

Head coach and technical director Bobby Smyrniotis has been at the heart of the club’s progress. Taking inspiration from the likes of Ajax, the co-founder and former head coach of Sigma FC – a development academy that boasts Canadian internationals Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin and Ritchie Laryea among its alumni – was keen to give Forge a strong structure from the start by bringing in players he knew from Sigma.

“It was a natural progression,” he tells World Soccer. “To have some players who were playing at Sigma at a semiprofessional level the year before, but also players who have graduated through the academy and were playing in MLS. To bring them back and build the backbone of the club off of these players with a shared idea, a shared vision, I think that allowed us to springboard forward quicker.”

Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de World Soccer.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de World Soccer.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE WORLD SOCCERVer todo
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 minutos  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 minutos  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 minutos  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 minutos  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 minutos  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 minutos  |
July 2024