The Canadian Premier League originally announced its schedule on February 21. The season would have begun on April 11 and concluded on October 4 with a balanced, 28-match schedule.[6] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPL paused all pre-season training on March 13 before later postponing the start of the season on March 20.[7][8]
On July 29, the CPL announced a revised, shortened season format to be played exclusively at the University of Prince Edward Island from August 13 to September 19 in a bio-secure bubble. Dubbed The Island Games, the season would begin with a round-robin preliminary round. The top four teams would qualify for a round-robin group stage; the top two teams from the group stage would qualify for a single match final.[9][10]
Forge FC's opening day starting lineup against Cavalry FC
Forge opened their season on August 13 with a 2–2 draw against rival club Cavalry FC in the opening match of The Island Games.[11] Over the following weeks, Forge completed the CPL's preliminary round, ending with 2–2 draw against Valour FC to qualify for the second round group stage with a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss.[12][13]
In the group stage, Forge opened with a 1–1 against HFX Wanderers FC before defeating Pacific FC 2–0 to put them on the verge of qualifying for the final.[14][15] Needing just a draw in their final group stage match,[16] Forge defeated Cavalry FC 1–0 to qualify for their second consecutive CPL final.[17][18]
The competition was originally scheduled to begin on July 28, but this was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 7, CONCACAF announced they had rescheduled the tournament to begin play on October 20 and conclude on January 28, 2021.[23]
CONCACAF conducted the tournament draw on September 21.[24] Due to travel restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all rounds of the tournament were played as single leg ties hosted by the higher seeded team.[25] As the lowest seeded team, this guaranteed that Forge would not play any home games.[26]
Forge opened its CONCACAF League run in the preliminary round away at Salvadoran club C.D. Municipal Limeño on October 22. David Choinière struck first for the Hammers, opening the scoring in the 21st minute before the Salvadorans tied the game later in the first half.[27] Overcoming a 64th minute red card to Jonathan Grant, Forge won 2–1 to advance to the round of 16 thanks to an 83rd minute goal by Anthony Novak.[27] After the match, Forge travelled directly to Panama City to prepare for their next match.[27]
In the round of 16, Forge faced Panamanian side Tauro F.C. on November 3. Forge took an early lead once again, this time from a goal by Molham Babouli, before Tauro equalized in the 18th minute.[28] Late in the second half, Novak drew a penalty for Forge which Daniël Krutzen converted in stoppage time to secure another 2–1 win for Forge.[28] The win propelled Forge into the quarter-finals, a new best result for a CPL team.[29]
Following a break when the team was able to return home,[30] Forge returned to action on December 1 for a quarter-final matchup against Haitian club Arcahaie FC with a chance to qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. The match was played in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic as Arcahaie did not have a suitable venue.[31][32] David Choinière drew a penalty just before halftime which Daniel Krutzen scored to give Forge the lead, however Arcaihe capitalized on a Triston Henry error in the 57th minute to tie the game.[33] Despite outplaying their opponents, the game ended tied 1–1 and headed straight to penalties.[33][34] Arcahaie's goalkeeper made two saves while their penalty takers converted all of their kicks to defeat Forge 4–2, knocking the Hammers out of the CONCACAF League.[34][35]
Despite their elimination, Forge then travelled to Tegucigalpa, Honduras to face C.D. Marathón in a play-in match to qualify for one of the CONCACAF League's final two spots in the CONCACAF Champions League.[36] This was centre-back David Edgar's final professional match as he had announced that he would retire at the end of the year.[37][38] Marathón took the lead 18th minute from a header off of a free kick which proved to be the only goal in a 1–0 final, qualifying the Hondurans for the Champions League at Forge's expense.[39] The match was "ill-tempered" with four yellow cards shown to Forge, three to Marathón, and both Kyle Bekker and coach Bobby Smyrniotis sent off late in the match.[39]
Forge FC selected the following players in the 2019 CPL–U Sports Draft. Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in.
Forge FC unveiled its 2020 primary kit on February 27 at an event hosted at Tim Hortons Field.[50] The kit was inspired by Hamilton's six regional municipalities and featured a gold patch signifying Forge's status as defending champions.[51]
The CPL unveiled all of its clubs' alternate kits on July 30.[52] These "City Edition" kits incorporated unique symbolism for each club, with Forge's kit drawing from the image of Hamilton's Gore Park fountain.[52][53] Like the home kit, the alternate kit featured a gold champion patch.[53]
The kits continued to be produced by Macron and sponsored by Tim Hortons for a second consecutive season.[50][53]
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Competitions
Matches are listed in Hamilton local time: Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) from April to October and Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) otherwise.
The 2020 Canadian Championship was played as a one-game final between Forge as the CPL Champions and Toronto FC as the winner of a head-to-head series between Canadian teams from Major League Soccer. It was delayed until June 2022 due to scheduling difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[63] Forge ultimately lost the final in a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw.[64]
Butko, Louie (December 30, 2020). "2020 Forge FC Year in Review". Forge FC. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
