Montreal Faces Forge in Critical Canadian Championship Clash

CF Montreal and Forge FC are set to face off in the second leg of their Canadian Championship quarterfinal. Montreal will host Forge at Stade Saputo on Wednesday night, trailing 1-0 after the first leg played at Hamilton Stadium on May 20th.

Montreal, currently at the bottom of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference with a challenging record, needs a positive result at home to keep their hopes of winning a trophy this season alive. Interim head coach Marco Donadel emphasizes the importance of the match, viewing it as a crucial final where every detail will be critical.

In contrast, Forge FC's head coach, Bobby Smyrniotis, doesn't see the match as a make-or-break situation, even if his team doesn't advance. Forge currently holds the second position in the Canadian Premier League standings.

Forge, a team with a history of success, stunned Montreal with a victory at Stade Saputo last year, progressing to the cup semifinal. However, no team from the CPL has ever won the Canadian Championship, which grants a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Smyrniotis believes Forge will eventually win the championship.

The other quarterfinal match features the Vancouver Whitecaps hosting Valour FC after a draw in the first leg. Montreal and Forge have a history of facing each other in the Canadian Championship.

Forge secured a 1-0 lead in the first leg. Montreal defender Joel Waterman acknowledged his team's first-half performance as unsatisfactory. He highlighted the need for improvement in the upcoming match.

Waterman, who has experience playing against Forge, also played in the CPL's inaugural season. He notes the league's growth over time. He acknowledges Forge's consistent performance and strong coaching.

Montreal faced a tough challenge recently against Inter Miami. Donadel stresses that quality alone won't guarantee victory. He emphasizes the importance of desire and the will to win in the upcoming match.