This week saw the Canadian Premier League jump into another gear as the 2024 playoffs finally got underway. Fans of the CPL had some big, marque matchups to look forward as the games started on Wednesday. Here’s a quick rundown this week’s games:
York United vs. Pacific FC
The 2024 playoffs kicked off with York United taking on visiting Pacific FC. For York United, this opening round match also was their first chance for a playoff win on their home turf. Each of these teams came into the game hoping to grab the final spot in the opening round of the playoffs.
Both York United and Pacific FC got off to a bit of a cautious start. For the first half of the match, neither team quite wanted to make the mistake that would lead to the opening goal. York United would change the game seven minutes into the second half via a redirected header from Oswaldo León. From then on, York United never looked back. The Nine Stripes signed off for the night with a second goal from Mo Babouli in second half stoppage time. Babouli’s goal was enough to secure the win and send York United into the first round of the playoffs to take on Atlético Ottawa.
CPL Match Highlights: York United vs. Pacific FC
York United vs. Atlético Ottawa
Fresh off of Wednesday night’s playoff victory, York United were back in action on Sunday in Ottawa as the playoffs started in full. Their challenge was an Atlético Ottawa team that had been labeled by many as a “Super Team” in pre-season. That label however had not thus far been proven out by the regular season play.
Atlético Ottawa kicked off the game in dominant fashion controlling the flow of play and pinning York United back into their own half for large periods of play across the first half. Despite having to defend for most of the half, York United did end the half with a few promising attacks. Despite the efforts from both teams, and despite the expectations of how fiery this game might be, the teams walked into the half tied 0-0.
For everything that the first half of this game lacked in terms of action, the second half made up for it. Atlético Ottawa kicked off the scoring with an Olimpico courtesy of Ollie Bassett in the 47th minute. This individual moment of brilliance looked to be enough to clinch the game for Ottawa until 16 year old Shola Jimoh stepped up and scored with York United’s first shot on target of the game. The stoppage time goal was enough to take the game into extra time.
The pressure continued to ratchet up in extra time as Ottawa immediately drew a penalty just after kickoff of the first period of extra time, which was easily scored by Rubén del Campo. Only minutes later, York United’s Shola Jimoh found Mo Babouli at Athlético’s back post to again level the match. This flurry of action cemented this game as an instant classic and brought on the Canadian Premier League’s first ever shootout. In the end, Athlético Ottawa walked away with a 5-4 shootout win via a crucial stop by Ottawa keeper Nate Ingham.
CPL Match Highlights: York United vs. Atlético Ottawa
Forge FC vs. Cavalry FC
This was the biggest match of the weekend. It was a rematch of the 2023 Canadian Premier League championship as well as a chance to host this year’s title match in addition to featuring the top two regular season teams in the league. Forge FC and Cavalry FC were once again in the familiar position of facing each other in the playoffs.
To the delight of fans in attendance at Tim Horton’s field, the game ended up being very open. From the start of the match, it was Forge FC that dominated possession, running up and down the wings trying to get service into one of their playmakers. Instead it was Calvary that scored the only goal of the game in the 30th minute of play off of a long pass to Tobias Warschewski from goalkeeper Marco Carducci.
The second half was more of the same from both teams. Despite ending the match with 61% possession, it was ultimately a lack of finishing from the Forge attack that cost them the match. Once the goal happened, Calvary were able to sit back and defend the waves of Forge attack.
CPL Match Highlights: Forge FC vs Calvary FC
What’s Next?
Hamilton’s season isn’t over yet. Thanks to the unique format of the CPL playoffs, Forge will be back at Tim Horton’s Field next weekend to face off against Atlètico Ottawa for the final place in the Championship match on November 9th. The question that will remain on the minds of anyone who watched Sunday’s game is whether or not Forge can find their winning ways again or if this historic losing streak will continue?
Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting semi-final weekend in the Canadian Premier League!
Photo Credit: Indrawan Kumala
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