Twenty shot attempts wasn’t enough to get Cavalry FC off to a winning start to 2025.
Forge FC held off a second half surge with a man-down to edge Cavalry FC 1-0 on Saturday evening in Hamilton to win the Canadian Premier League season opener backstopped by a dynamic clean sheet performance by goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat.
Mo Babouli, marking his return to his second stint with Forge FC, broke the stalemate in the 58th minute with a powerful header off a sublime cross from wing back Marko Jevremovic.
Cavalry increased the pressure, rallying well from the goal and the visitors found themselves up a man for the final 20 minutes with Forge right back Zayne Bruno sent off.
A frantic finish saw substitute left back Mihail Gherasimencov smash the post and winger Nicolas Wähling denied in stoppage time as Koleilat solidified the clean sheet.
After Forge had territorial advantage to start the contest, Cavalry worked its way into the game with Tobias Warschewski at the centre of the attack.
The reigning Golden Boot Winner saw his backdoor header denied on the line by a highlight reel outstretched fingertips save from Koleilat in the 27th minute.
Forge, four-time CPL champions and finalists in all six seasons in league history, loaded up in the offseason with a number of key additions with former York United attackers Brian Wright and Mo Babouli moving southwest to Hamilton and towering centre back Daniel Nimick coming over from the Halifax Wanderers.
Cavalry opted to retain most of its championship side from 2024 save for the departure of dynamic centre back Daan Klomp to the Belgium professional ranks and retirement of central midfielder Charlie Trafford.
Key additions to the lineup include left back Gherasimencov, attacking midfielder Caniggia Elva along with central midfielder Michael Baldisimo, a 24-year-old veteran of Major League Soccer with the Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes, who operates as a deep lying playmaker.
All three players impressed as substitutes in the season opener.
Cavalry is back on the pitch for its home opener on April 18 against Vancouver FC.
The Cavs have four CPL matches in April and open cup competition against Edmonton Scottish in the Canadian Championship on May 5 at Spruce Meadows.
For more information on the team, go to cavsfc.com.
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