Forge FC defeat Atletico Ottawa in CPL final
It wasn’t the result Atletico Ottawa fans were hoping for as the team came up short in its bid for its first North Star Shield.
Hamilton Forge FC defeated Atletico 2-0 in the Canadian Premier League final Sunday evening at TD Place, their third CPL title in four years.
“It’s a tough result, credit to Forge. That’s just how soccer goes sometimes,” said Atletico captain Drew Beckie.
A disappointing end to a successful season that saw the club finishing the regular season in first place, one year after finishing last in the standings.
“The fact they came from nothing to this is incredible… I’m super proud of where they come from,” said Farrah Sanjari.
“Obviously it’s disappointing we couldn’t get the championship, but in the regular season we came in first so we won a title this year. There’s two titles and we won one of them, “ said Eddie Benhin, one of the leaders of an Atletico supporter group.
Despite the loss, it was still a historic moment for Ottawa. The club—only in its third year—made its first championship appearance and it was the first time the city hosted a CPL final.
Ahead of the match fans packed Bank Street and Lansdowne to celebrate Canadian soccer. The attendance drawing record numbers with nearly 15,000 fans filling the stadium.
“It started with a handful of us it was literally 20 of us and almost the full stadium,” said Billy Strathdee. “We never thought we could do this here.”
Even after the 90th minute, dedicated supporters like Strathdee remained in their section. Proud of the team and the culture they built here in Ottawa.
“I believe in the process of the team… we’re going to make it here next year,” he said.
That devotion did not go unnoticed by the players.
“Thank you very much,” said Beckie, addressing the fans. “It’s been amazing to see the progression in the past seven years that I’ve been a part of the city. I hope it continues to go upward especially after the world cup and I’m just excited. If this is what it is this year I can’t wait to see it this year and the year after.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continues
The death toll from Hurricane Helene inched up to 227 on Saturday as the grim task of recovering bodies continued more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the Southeast and killed people in six states.
Car flies into B.C. backyard, lands upside down
A driver suffered only minor injuries after going airborne in a residential neighbourhood in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, the car eventually landing on its roof in someone’s backyard.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk attend rally at same Pennsylvania grounds where gunman tried to assassinate Trump
Donald Trump returned on Saturday to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds where he was nearly assassinated in July, holding a sprawling rally with thousands of supporters in a critical swing state Trump hopes to return to his column in November's election.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.