|5={{Cite tweet |user=footy_prime |author=Footy Prime |number=1586871312785580034 |title=Hammer it into the record books, Bobby has Forged a dynasty in Hamilton! |date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |retweet=[[Craig Forrest]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209011928/https://twitter.com/footy_prime/status/1586871312785580034 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}}}</ref> They will also compete in the [[Canadian Championship]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://northerntribune.ca/us-open-cup-cup-mark-noonan-comment/ |title=Noonan Highlights CPL's Commitment To Domestic Cup As US Falters On Their Own |first=John |last=Jacques |work=Northern Tribune |date=December 16, 2023 |access-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217015204/https://northerntribune.ca/us-open-cup-cup-mark-noonan-comment/ |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> a [[domestic cup]] organized by the [[Canadian Soccer Association]].<ref name="2024 Season Seats">{{Cite web |url=https://forgefc.canpl.ca/2024-season-seats/ |title=2024 Season Seats |work=Forge FC |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110212307/https://forgefc.canpl.ca/2024-season-seats/ |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2023 Canadian Championship|2023 edition]], Forge reached the semi-final where they were knocked out by [[Major League Soccer]] club [[CF Montréal]] for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9721714/cf-montreal-down-forge-fc/ |title=CF Montreal advances to Canadian Championship final with win over Forge FC |first=Elias |last=Grigoriadis |work=[[Global News]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604024706/https://globalnews.ca/news/9721714/cf-montreal-down-forge-fc/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|5={{Cite tweet |user=footy_prime |author=Footy Prime |number=1586871312785580034 |title=Hammer it into the record books, Bobby has Forged a dynasty in Hamilton! |date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=October 30, 2022 |retweet=[[Craig Forrest]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209011928/https://twitter.com/footy_prime/status/1586871312785580034 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}}}</ref> They will also compete in the [[Canadian Championship]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://northerntribune.ca/us-open-cup-cup-mark-noonan-comment/ |title=Noonan Highlights CPL's Commitment To Domestic Cup As US Falters On Their Own |first=John |last=Jacques |work=Northern Tribune |date=December 16, 2023 |access-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217015204/https://northerntribune.ca/us-open-cup-cup-mark-noonan-comment/ |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> a [[domestic cup]] organized by the [[Canadian Soccer Association]].<ref name="2024 Season Seats">{{Cite web |url=https://forgefc.canpl.ca/2024-season-seats/ |title=2024 Season Seats |work=Forge FC |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110212307/https://forgefc.canpl.ca/2024-season-seats/ |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2023 Canadian Championship|2023 edition]], Forge reached the semi-final where they were knocked out by [[Major League Soccer]] club [[CF Montréal]] for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9721714/cf-montreal-down-forge-fc/ |title=CF Montreal advances to Canadian Championship final with win over Forge FC |first=Elias |last=Grigoriadis |work=[[Global News]] |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604024706/https://globalnews.ca/news/9721714/cf-montreal-down-forge-fc/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Forge qualified for the [[2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup]] on October 21, 2023,<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=CPLsoccer |author=Canadian Premier League |author-link=Canadian Premier League |number=1715860389412352408 |title=The Concacaf Champions Cup is heading to Hamilton 🔨 As a result of @CPLCavalryFC advancing to the CPL Final, @ForgeFCHamilton join the Cavs in next year's continental competition ⚽ |date=October 21, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022215152/https://twitter.com/CPLsoccer/status/1715860389412352408 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thespec.com/sports/soccer/more-than-10-000-tickets-already-sold-for-cpl-final/article_bf1a70d2-8864-5c88-ab00-b2defcc4b6e1.html |title=More than 10,000 tickets already sold for CPL final |first=Steve |last=Milton |work=[[The Hamilton Spectator]] |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025133523/https://www.thespec.com/sports/soccer/more-than-10-000-tickets-already-sold-for-cpl-final/article_bf1a70d2-8864-5c88-ab00-b2defcc4b6e1.html |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> returning the club to international competition after a one-year absence.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://canpl.ca/article/why-the-2024-concacaf-champions-cup-is-such-a-big-opportunity-for-cavalry-and-forge |title=Why the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup is such a big opportunity for Cavalry and Forge |first=Mitchell |last=Tierney |work=[[Canadian Premier League]] |date=December 13, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214045802/https://canpl.ca/article/why-the-2024-concacaf-champions-cup-is-such-a-big-opportunity-for-cavalry-and-forge |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Their last appearance in international competition was in the [[2022 CONCACAF Champions League]], where Forge faced [[Mexican Football Federation|Mexican]] side [[Cruz Azul]] in the round of 16.<ref>{{cite news |title=Recap: Forge FC eliminated from Concacaf Champions League with 3-1 loss to Cruz Azul |url=https://canpl.ca/article/recap-forge-fc-eliminated-from-concacaf-champions-league-with-3-1-loss-to-cruz-azul |work=[[Canadian Premier League]] |first=Benedict |last=Rhodes |date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215035429/https://canpl.ca/article/recap-forge-fc-eliminated-from-concacaf-champions-league-with-3-1-loss-to-cruz-azul |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Forge qualified for the [[2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup]] on October 21, 2023,<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=CPLsoccer |author=Canadian Premier League |author-link=Canadian Premier League |number=1715860389412352408 |title=The Concacaf Champions Cup is heading to Hamilton 🔨 As a result of @CPLCavalryFC advancing to the CPL Final, @ForgeFCHamilton join the Cavs in next year's continental competition ⚽ |date=October 21, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022215152/https://twitter.com/CPLsoccer/status/1715860389412352408 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thespec.com/sports/soccer/more-than-10-000-tickets-already-sold-for-cpl-final/article_bf1a70d2-8864-5c88-ab00-b2defcc4b6e1.html |title=More than 10,000 tickets already sold for CPL final |first=Steve |last=Milton |work=[[The Hamilton Spectator]] |date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025133523/https://www.thespec.com/sports/soccer/more-than-10-000-tickets-already-sold-for-cpl-final/article_bf1a70d2-8864-5c88-ab00-b2defcc4b6e1.html |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> returning the club to international competition after a one-year absence.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://canpl.ca/article/why-the-2024-concacaf-champions-cup-is-such-a-big-opportunity-for-cavalry-and-forge |title=Why the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup is such a big opportunity for Cavalry and Forge |first=Mitchell |last=Tierney |work=[[Canadian Premier League]] |date=December 13, 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214045802/https://canpl.ca/article/why-the-2024-concacaf-champions-cup-is-such-a-big-opportunity-for-cavalry-and-forge |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Their last appearance was in the [[2022 CONCACAF Champions League]], where they faced [[Mexican Football Federation|Mexican]] side [[Cruz Azul]] in the round of 16.<ref>{{cite news |title=Recap: Forge FC eliminated from Concacaf Champions League with 3-1 loss to Cruz Azul |url=https://canpl.ca/article/recap-forge-fc-eliminated-from-concacaf-champions-league-with-3-1-loss-to-cruz-azul |work=[[Canadian Premier League]] |first=Benedict |last=Rhodes |date=February 24, 2022 |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215035429/https://canpl.ca/article/recap-forge-fc-eliminated-from-concacaf-champions-league-with-3-1-loss-to-cruz-azul |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Head coach and sporting director [[Bobby Smyrniotis]] is contracted to return for his sixth season with the club after signing a contract extension in 2023.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://forgefc.canpl.ca/article/forge-fc-announce-extension-and-expanded-role-for-bobby-smyrniotis |title=Forge FC Announce Extension and Expanded Role For Bobby Smyrniotis |publisher=Forge FC |date=May 1, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thespec.com/sports/soccer/opinion/2023/05/01/forge-fc-locks-in-coach-bobby-smyrniotis-for-four-more-years.html |title=Forge FC locks in coach Bobby Smyrniotis for four more years |first=Steve |last=Milton |work=[[The Hamilton Spectator]] |date=May 1, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref>
Head coach and sporting director [[Bobby Smyrniotis]] is contracted to return for his sixth season after signing a contract extension in 2023.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://forgefc.canpl.ca/article/forge-fc-announce-extension-and-expanded-role-for-bobby-smyrniotis |title=Forge FC Announce Extension and Expanded Role For Bobby Smyrniotis |publisher=Forge FC |date=May 1, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thespec.com/sports/soccer/opinion/2023/05/01/forge-fc-locks-in-coach-bobby-smyrniotis-for-four-more-years.html |title=Forge FC locks in coach Bobby Smyrniotis for four more years |first=Steve |last=Milton |work=[[The Hamilton Spectator]] |date=May 1, 2023 |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref>
Head coach and sporting director Bobby Smyrniotis is contracted to return for his sixth season after signing a contract extension in 2023.[11][12]
Preseason
On December 22, 2023, Forge announced that fifteen players from the previous season would be returning with guaranteed contracts while other players could possibly return pending negotiations for new contracts or the club activating contract extensions before December 31.[13] This changed a week later when defender Manjrekar James, who was originally listed to return, was sold to Costa Rican side Alajuelense for an undisclosed fee.[14] The club later announced that it had picked up the contract options of midfielder Sebastian Castello, defender Malcolm Duncan, and goalkeeper Christopher Kalongo.[15][16]
On January 29, Forge re-signed Swedish midfielder and club original Alexander Achinioti-Jonsson to a multi-year deal.[17] Over the following days, the club announced the return of versatile Senegalese midfielder Elimane Cissé, who was a member of Forge's 2019 and 2020 championship teams, and signed Ghanaian international forward Opoku Ampomah, both to multi-year deals.[18][19] They also signed goalkeeper Dino Bontis and attackers Amadou Kone and Kevaughn Tavernier to short-term contracts for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.[20]
Striker Woobens Pacius announced on December 17 that he was departing Forge, with the club confirming that he was out of contract.[21][22] On January 17, full-back Rezart Rama left the club, signing with KF Egnatia in the Albanian top flight.[16][23]
Forge FC made two selections in the 2024 CPL–U Sports Draft.[25] Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster; only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in.
Forge announced in a release that players reported to Hamilton for preseason on January 4, with medicals taking place on January 5 and training beginning at Redeemer University on January 6.[26] The team traveled to Querétaro, Mexico on January 16 where they trained for two weeks before returning to Hamilton on January 31 in advance of their opening match in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on February 7 at Tim Hortons Field against C.D. Guadalajara.[26][27] While in Mexico, they faced Liga Premier side C.D. Irapuato in a friendly.[28][29] Forge was also reported to have friendlies scheduled against other Mexican clubs, including a Liga MX opponent.[30]
Updated to match(es) played on August 31, 2024. Source: CanPL Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Total number of wins; 3) Head-to-head; 4) Goal differential; 5) Goals for; 6) Away goals differential; 7) Away goals for; 8) Home goals differential; 9) Home goals for; 10) Fewest disciplinary points;[a] 11) Most under-21 domestic player minutes; 12) Coin toss (tie between two (2) clubs) or drawing of lots (tie between three (3) or more clubs).[32]
The Canadian Premier League announced each team's home openers on January 18.[33][34] The full regular season schedule was released on January 23.[35][36]
The CONCACAF Champions Cup draw was held on December 13, 2023.[37][38] Having qualified as CPL champions, Forge will enter the competition in round one and begin play in February 2024.[needs update][39][40]
Round one
The round one schedule was announced on December 18, 2023.[41]
^Cisneros, Fernando (January 25, 2024). "Forge Fc supera 3-2 al Irapuato" [Forge Fc beats Irapuato 3-2]. El Sol de Irapuato (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
Dino Bontis
Elimane Oumar Cissé
Nana Opoku Ampomah
Fortuna Düsseldorf
LD Alajuelense
Rezart Rama
