Forge FC: Tactical Dominance in the Canadian Premier League
Forge FC have consistently found themselves among the frontrunners in the Canadian Premier League (CPL), yet their underlying statistics suggest an even greater level of dominance than the league table often reflects. Despite being in third place, the Hammers have matched the number of victories of top rivals Cavalry and Pacific, each of whom have played more matches. With the league’s best attacking and defensive records—31 goals scored and only 13 conceded—Forge FC’s blend of structure and fluidity stands out. This tactical analysis explores the key elements behind their exceptional season and examines what lies ahead for Forge FC.
Exploring Forge FC’s 4-3-3: Formation and Fluid Shape
Forge FC typically set up in a 4-3-3 formation, mirroring the approach of many possession-dominant teams worldwide. This system emphasizes short passing, intelligent movement, and control, allowing players to work in triangles and exert authority across the pitch. Offensively, the shape can morph into a 3-2-5 or even a 2-4-4 when pushing forward, while defensively, the team quickly transitions into a compact 4-1-4-1 to close gaps and regain the ball.
Key personnel changes and tactical tweaks have further solidified this system. Triston Henry anchors the side as a proactive ‘Sweeper Keeper’, commanding his area behind a disciplined defense. The arrivals of Rezart Rama and Abdulmalik Owolabi-Belewu have strengthened the backline, with Rama offering reliable presence at right-back and Owolabi-Belewu contributing both strength and technical ability. Veteran Ashtone Morgan provides balance on the left, favoring advanced forays down the flank.
A key adaptation has been Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson’s shift from midfield anchorman to center-back—triggered by Dominic Samuel’s early-season injury. Jönsson excels in this new role, combining the distribution of a ball-playing defender with positional awareness. The adaptability of Forge’s backline has been fundamental to their consistent defensive performances.
Midfield Versatility: Tempo and Balance in the Center
The midfield serves as the creative engine for Forge FC. Alessandro Hojabrpour, initially employed as a box-to-box midfielder, now orchestrates play from the ‘number 6’ role. From this deeper position, he dictates tempo, breaks up opposition attacks, and provides the link between defense and attack.
Team captain Kyle Bekker complements Hojabrpour, bringing both creativity and composure in possession. His ability to switch play and deliver incisive passes allows Forge to stretch opponents and find gaps in defensive lines. Aboubacar Sissoko has stepped into a more advanced midfield position, supporting the attack and frequently overloading the right flank. Sissoko’s earlier stints as an inverted full-back underline his tactical flexibility, and his movement creates space for others—particularly wide attackers like David Choinière.
Attacking Profiles: Dynamic Forwards and Goalscoring Threats
Forge FC’s attacking line is characterized by unpredictability and efficiency. The team has netted 31 goals in 14 matches, with forward Woobens Pacius emerging as a prolific ‘fox in the box’. His near goal-per-game ratio (0.89 goals per 90 minutes) is evidence of both his sharp movement in the penalty area and the quality of service from the supporting cast.
Pacius operates between two ‘inverted wingers’—creative threats who drift inside to combine and open space. Tristan Borges and David Choinière, along with Bekker’s forward surges, regularly create overloads and attacking combinations in the final third. The attacking structure, occasionally adjusted to a 3-4-2-1 for tactical variety, is rooted in the fluidity of the 4-3-3 and the team’s positional discipline.
Mastery in Possession: Patterns, Overloads, and Final Third Play
Forge FC are widely recognized for their fluid, possession-driven style. The team regularly dominates the ball, with around 61% average possession, and orchestrates play via sharp passing and intricate movement.
Key attacking patterns include:
– Wide triangles and overloads, particularly on the flanks, to pull opponents out of position.
– Use of full-backs: On the right, the full-back often inverts to occupy central areas, freeing up the wing for a midfielder or inverted winger. On the left, Ashtone Morgan or Kwasi Poku push high to maintain width, moving Borges into more central creative spaces.
– Regular positional rotations allow Forge to attack from multiple angles and exploit defensive weaknesses.
Central to this approach are Bekker and Hojabrpour, who sit deep in a rest-defense shape when in the 3-2-5 attacking structure. Their presence helps shield against counter-attacks and facilitates rapid switches of play. Pacius, benefiting from service into the penalty box, is often the recipient of cutbacks and crosses created by the overloads.
A comparative look at Forge’s striking options reveals clear differences: Terran Campbell, for instance, is more active away from central areas and is caught offside more frequently (0.8 times per game) than Pacius (0.4), whose movement is more vertical and focused within the box.
The side’s ability to switch play is another weapon—both Hojabrpour (68% success) and Jönsson (73% success) are adept at long diagonal balls, unlocking low-block defenses and enabling rapid attacks down the wings. Notably, Sissoko records the most accurate passes in the opposition half and final third in the CPL, emphasizing his ball-retention and creative impact.
Defensive Intelligence: Out of Possession and High Pressing
While Forge FC command matches with the ball, they are equally impressive off it. No other CPL team recovers possession in the attacking third more frequently, averaging 7.4 regains per game—a testament to their organized pressing and aggressive counter-pressing.
Forge’s out-of-possession shape is typically a compact 4-1-4-1. This structure limits space both horizontally and vertically, making progression through the thirds challenging for opponents. The team’s pressing triggers, such as closing down players receiving the ball with their back to goal, consistently disrupt opposition buildups.
Individually, key players contribute to a formidable defensive presence:
– Kyle Bekker, despite his creative role, boasts a 90% tackle success rate.
– Achinioti-Jönsson averages 4.1 tackles and interceptions per match—a remarkable tally for a defender in a possession-oriented side.
– Sissoko, Metusala, and Owolabi-Belewu supplement the backline with perfectly timed interventions and relentless pressure.
Forge do remain susceptible at times on set-pieces, particularly in aerial duels, but otherwise maintain an ironclad defense that has conceded just 13 goals to date.
Summary: Forge FC’s Outlook for the Season
Forge FC’s tactical versatility and collective discipline have established them as the most dominant force in the 2022 Canadian Premier League campaign. Their blend of possession control, creative attacking play, and aggressive off-the-ball pressure sets them apart from the competition. With fine-tuned positional play, attacking variety, and the league’s sturdiest defensive record, Forge are strongly positioned to ascend to first place and pursue further silverware as the season progresses. The team’s chemistry, tactical intelligence, and adaptability suggest their dominance will continue to grow in the months ahead.
