CONCACAF Champions Cup Preview – Forge FC vs CF Monterrey

The 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup kicks off with a tantalizing matchup that pits Canadian Premier League (CPL) powerhouse Forge FC against Mexican soccer giants CF Monterrey. This first-ever encounter between the two clubs promises more than just a game – it’s a moment of pride and a critical test for the growing Canadian Premier League.

The Tactics: Canadian Ambition Meets Mexican Precision

Forge FC enters the match looking to rebound from a disappointing end to their 2024 season, where they lost to Calvary FC in the CPL Playoffs. Under the tactical guidance of Bobby Smyrniotis, the team will likely deploy their trademark 4-1-4-1 formation, focusing on aggressively moving the ball and pinning opponents inside their 18-yard box.

CF Monterrey arrives with its own tactical intrigue under new manager Martín Demichelis. The 44-year-old former Bayern Munich and Manchester City defender has led the Rayados to a 9-8-6 record since taking charge in August 2024. Demichelis typically defaults to a 4-2-3-1 formation, bringing Mexican soccer’s renowned precision to the field.

Key Players to Watch

Forge FC

Kyle Bekker: Fans of Forge FC were thrilled to see the team announce that their long-time captain Kyle Bekker was given a new multi-year contract with the club. The 34-year-old has been a key part of Bobby Smyrniotis and Forge’s success since joining the club in 2019.

Brian Wright: The 29-year-old forward was one of a few players to cross rivalry lines by moving from York United to Forge FC for the 2025 season. After being voted the 2024 Players’ Player of the Year, Wright should add some much-needed firepower to a team that, at times, struggled to score goals in the second half of 2024.

Tristan Borges: Fans of Forge FC were also excited to see Forge’s all-time leading goal scorer sign a new multi-year deal with the club. For anyone who doubts Borges’s importance to the team, coach Bobby Smyrniotis was quoted saying “Tristan has been a cornerstone of our success since day one.” Expect to see Borges play a big role in Forge’s plans for Wednesday night.

C.F. Monterrey

Lucas Ocampos: Ocampos is one of the newer members of Monterrey after having joined the club from Sevilla in September 2024. Since joining Martín Demichelis’s team, the left winger has scored two and provided four assists in only 14 games.

Sergio Canales: Canales has been a prolific Attacking Midfielder since joining Monterrey in 2023. The 33-year-old has scored 25 goals and assisted in another nine across 65 games in the blue and white stripes. With experience in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in the past, Canales will give the Forge defense trouble regardless of the temperature at kickoff.

Germán Berterame: The 26-year-old forward will be a familiar sight to anyone who has watched C.F. Monterrey in the past. Since joining the Rayados in 2022, Berterame has scored 40 goals and assisted in another 11 across 105 matches. Since signing a new contract extension back in November, Berterame’s scoring form has dropped. The former Liga MX Golden Boot winner will hope that a cold trip to Canada is what he needs to get back into his scoring ways.

Intriguing Storylines

Beyond the on-field action, fans of both teams will be looking for the answer to a few questions. Can Martín Demichelis solidify his position at Monterrey after the club’s mixed run of form since his arrival? Will the Forge and Bobby Smyrniotis be able to successfully integrate many new signings and rebound for last season’s disappointing end? And the wild card: Will Monterrey complete their rumored signing of Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos before kickoff?

Match Predictions

Fans of both teams are eagerly looking forward to this match, and have been since it was announced. Casual fans may want to keep an eye on this match because it’s the first time that these two teams have ever played each other. Odds makers seem to think the game will be a close-fought match with C.F. Monterrey ultimately getting the win. Given the salary and experience disparity between these two clubs, it’s easy to understand how betters are coming to that conclusion. We also expect C.F. Monterrey to come out on top in this match and carry the advantage back to their second leg at home.