# 2025 Forge FC season

The 2025 Forge FC season is the seventh season in the history of Forge FC and the club's seventh season in the Canadian Premier League (CPL), the top flight in Canadian soccer. Forge are the defending CPL Shield winners, having finished first in the 2024 Canadian Premier League season.
In addition to the Canadian Premier League, the club competed in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and will also contest the Canadian Championship.

## Review
### Background

Forge FC will enter the 2025 Canadian Premier League season as the reigning regular season winners after having finished first and claiming the CPL Shield in the 2024 season. This was the club's second regular season title and sixth trophy in six years, continuing their dynasty. In the CPL playoffs, Forge advanced to the 2024 CPL final where they were defeated by rival side Cavalry FC, finishing as runner-up.
The Hammers will also compete in the 2025 Canadian Championship, a domestic cup organized by the Canadian Soccer Association. In the 2024 edition, Forge defeated MLS side CF Montréal in the quarter-final. They were knocked out in the semi-final by Toronto FC, losing on away goals after tying 2–2 on aggregate.
Forge qualified for the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup as 2024 CPL regular season winners. This was Forge's third appearance in the competition and second appearance in a row. In the 2024 edition, Forge faced Mexican side C.D. Guadalajara in round one, losing 5–2 on aggregate.
Head coach and sporting director Bobby Smyrniotis is contracted to return for his seventh season with the club after signing a four-year contract extension in 2023.

### Preseason

On November 21, 2024, CF Montréal declined its 2025 contract option on Forge loanee Matteo Schiavoni, ending his time with the Hammers; Forge later confirmed this in a December roster update. On December 16, Dominic Samuel and Forge together announced that the defender was leaving the club following the expiry of his contract at the end of the year.
On December 12, 2024, Forge announced that Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, Nana Ampomah, David Choinière, Elimane Cissé, Noah Jensen, and Khadim Kane all had guaranteed contracts through the 2025 season. The club later announced that it had triggered contract options for the 2025 season for Béni Badibanga, Christopher Kalongo, Jassem Koleilat, Malik Owolabi-Belewu, and Orlendis Benítez. Forge also triggered its 2025 loan option for Daniel Parra from C.F. Monterrey. Malcolm Duncan, Jordan Hamilton, Victor Klonaridis, Terran Campbell, Garven Metusala, and Sebastian Castello all departed the club.
Forge opened its preseason in Hamilton in early January before traveling to Cancun for two weeks of training. While there, the Hammers played friendlies against Liga Premier club Inter Playa del Carmen and MLS club Orlando City SC. Béni Badibanga was absent from the team during this period as he navigated a contract dispute.

### CONCACAF Champions Cup

Forge drew Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey in round one of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The match was noteworthy due to Monterrey's connection with York United FC, Forge's rival in the 905 Derby. It was set to pit Forge loanee Daniel Parra against his parent club, Monterrey; however, Parra transferred to Atlético Morelia just days before the tie's first leg.
Forge hosted Monterrey in the tie's first leg on February 5, looking to secure the club's first ever win in Champions Cup play. In freezing conditions producing slippery turf, Monterrey scored two second half goals while Forge failed to capitalize on their chances, resulting in a 2–0 win for Rayados. The Hammers were without Malik Owolabi-Belewu (personal reasons), Béni Badibanga (contract dispute), and Elimane Cissé (injury).
In the return leg a week later in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Monterrey scored three unanswered goals to take a 3–0 win, eliminating Forge 5–0 on aggregate. Forge's best chance in the match came in the first half when Tristan Borges hit the crossbar, but the Hammers were ultimately unable to score. This was the third time Forge were eliminated in their opening Champions Cup tie.

## Current squad

As of February 11, 2025
| No. | Name | Position(s) | Date of birth (age) | Previous club | Notes |
| Goalkeepers |||||||
| 16 | Jassem Koleilat | GK | (1999-07-30) July 30, 1999 (age 25) | Los Angeles FC 2 | |
| 29 | Christopher Kalongo | GK | (2002-01-07) January 7, 2002 (age 23) | Sigma FC | |
| | Emmanuel Marmolejo | GK | (2007-06-14) June 14, 2007 (age 17) | Sigma FC | U21, DEV |
| Defenders |||||||
| 3 | Marko Jevremović | DF | (1996-02-23) February 23, 1996 (age 29) | Athens Kallithea F.C. | INT |
| 5 | Daniel Nimick | DF | (2000-09-22) September 22, 2000 (age 24) | HFX Wanderers FC | |
| 24 | Rezart Rama | DF | (2000-12-04) December 4, 2000 (age 24) | KF Egnatia | INT |
| 81 | Malik Owolabi-Belewu | DF | (2002-07-03) July 3, 2002 (age 22) | S.P.A.L. | INT |
| Midfielders |||||||
| 6 | Ben Paton | MF | (2000-05-05) May 5, 2000 (age 24) | Ross County | |
| 8 | Elimane Cissé | MF | (1995-03-12) March 12, 1995 (age 30) | Diambars FC | INT |
| 10 | Kyle Bekker | MF | (1990-09-02) September 2, 1990 (age 34) | North Carolina FC | |
| 13 | Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson | MF | (1996-04-17) April 17, 1996 (age 28) | IFK Värnamo | INT |
| 21 | Alessandro Hojabrpour | MF | (2000-01-10) January 10, 2000 (age 25) | Pacific FC | |
| 22 | Noah Jensen | MF | (1999-07-20) July 20, 1999 (age 25) | Oakland University | |
| 23 | Keito Lipovschek | MF | (2005-04-03) April 3, 2005 (age 19) | Fleetwood United | U21 |
| 26 | Orlendis Benítez | MF | (1996-11-26) November 26, 1996 (age 28) | Simcoe County Rovers | |
| 32 | Zayne Bruno | MF | (2007-01-23) January 23, 2007 (age 18) | Sigma FC | U21, DEV |
| 64 | Khadim Kane | MF | (2005-05-17) May 17, 2005 (age 19) | CF Montréal U23 | U21, EYT |
| Forwards |||||||
| 7 | David Choinière | FW | (1997-02-07) February 7, 1997 (age 28) | Montreal Impact | |
| 9 | Brian Wright | FW | (1995-03-24) March 24, 1995 (age 29) | York United FC | |
| 11 | Nana Opoku Ampomah | FW | (1996-01-02) January 2, 1996 (age 29) | Fortuna Düsseldorf | INT |
| 12 | Maxime Filion | FW | (2003-04-13) April 13, 2003 (age 21) | Montreal Carabins | STC |
| 17 | Hoce Massunda | FW | (2005-06-19) June 19, 2005 (age 19) | Sigma FC | STC |
| 18 | Molham Babouli | FW | (1993-01-02) January 2, 1993 (age 32) | York United FC | |
| 19 | Tristan Borges | FW | (1998-08-26) August 26, 1998 (age 26) | OH Leuven | |
| 39 | Béni Badibanga | FW | (1996-02-19) February 19, 1996 (age 29) | RAAL La Louvière | INT |
| 41 | Amadou Koné | FW | (2005-01-28) January 28, 2005 (age 20) | Carleton Ravens | U21, STC |

## Contracts and transfers
### New contracts

| No. | Pos. | Player | Contract details | Date |
| 10 | MF | Kyle Bekker | Multi-year contract (length undisclosed) | January 9, 2025 |
| 19 | FW | Tristan Borges | Multi-year contract (length undisclosed) | January 15, 2025 |
| 21 | MF | Alessandro Hojabrpour | Multi-year contract (length undisclosed) | February 4, 2025 |
| 32 | MF | Zayne Bruno | Development contract | February 4, 2025 |
| 41 | MF | Amadou Koné | Short-term contract (length undisclosed) | February 4, 2025 |

### In
#### Transferred in

| No. | Pos. | Player | From club | Fee/notes | Date |
| 9 | FW | Brian Wright | York United FC | Free | January 8, 2025 |
| 5 | DF | Daniel Nimick | HFX Wanderers FC | Free | January 21, 2025 |
| 18 | FW | Molham Babouli | York United FC | Free | January 23, 2025 |
| 24 | DF | Rezart Rama | KF Egnatia | Free | January 28, 2025 |
| 3 | DF | Marko Jevremović | Athens Kallithea F.C. | Free | January 31, 2025 |
| 23 | MF | Keito Lipovschek | Fleetwood United | Free | February 4, 2025 |
| 6 | MF | Ben Paton | Ross County | Free | February 4, 2025 |
| | GK | Emmanuel Marmolejo | Sigma FC | Development contract | February 4, 2025 |
| 17 | FW | Hoce Massunda | Sigma FC | Short-term contract (length undisclosed) | February 4, 2025 |
| 12 | FW | Maxime Filion | Montreal Carabins | Short-term contract (length undisclosed) | February 4, 2025 |

#### Loaned in

| No. | Pos. | Player | From club | Fee/notes | Date | Source |
| 17 | DF | Daniel Parra | Monterrey | Season-long loan | January 1, 2025 | |

#### Draft picks

Forge FC made two selections in the 2025 CPL–U Sports Draft on December 5, 2024. Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster; only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in.
| Round | Selection | Pos. | Player | Nationality | University |
| 1 | 7 | MF | Paul Ekwueme | Canada | McMaster |
| 2 | 15 | FW | Maxime Filion | Canada | Montréal |

### Out

| No. | Pos. | Player | To club | Fee/notes | Date |
| 14 | FW | Terran Campbell | Vancouver FC | Contract expired | December 31, 2024 |
| 12 | FW | Sebastian Castello | | Contract expired | December 31, 2024 |
| 2 | DF | Malcolm Duncan | | Contract expired | December 31, 2024 |
| 9 | FW | Jordan Hamilton | | Contract expired | December 31, 2024 |
| 27 | FW | Victor Klonaridis | PAS Lamia 1964 | Contract expired | December 31, 2024 |
| 23 | DF | Garven Metusala | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Contract expired | December 31, 2024 |
| 4 | DF | Dominic Samuel | | Contract expired | December 31, 2024 |
| 88 | MF | Matteo Schiavoni | Pacific FC | Loan ended | December 31, 2024 |
| 17 | DF | Daniel Parra | Atlético Morelia | Loan ended | February 2, 2025 |

## Club
### Kits

On January 30, Forge announced WeatherTech Canada as the club's new "front-of-jersey" sponsor.

## Competitions

Matches are listed in Hamilton local time: Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) from March 9 until November 2, and Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) otherwise.

### Overview

| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record |
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| Canadian Premier League | April 5 | October 18 | Matchday 1 | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | !— |
| Canadian Championship | May 7 | | Preliminary round | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | !— |
| CONCACAF Champions Cup | February 5 | February 11 | Round one | Round one | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 000.00 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 000.00 |
Last updated: February 11, 2025 Source: Competitions

### Canadian Premier League
#### Results by match

| Match | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| Result | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Position | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

#### Matches

The Canadian Premier League announced each team's home openers on February 10. The full regular season schedule was released on February 12.

### Canadian Championship

The draw for the preliminary round and quarterfinals was held on December 12, 2024.

#### Preliminary round

The preliminary round schedule was announced on February 18.

### CONCACAF Champions Cup

The CONCACAF Champions Cup draw was held on December 10, 2024, with Forge drawing Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey in round one. Having qualified as CPL regular season winners, Forge entered the competition in round one and began play in February 2025.

#### Round one

The round one schedule was announced on December 13, 2024.