Match Thread: The Final - December 5, 2021 - Forge v Pacific

[narduch]

Game is at 4:30 pm ET (1:30pm PT) on One Soccer.

Forge are looking to win their 3rd straight CPL title.

Pacific have never beaten Forge. They have 8 losses and 1 draw v Forge all time (including 3 losses this season).

The winner will represent Canada in the 2022 Concacaf League.

[ted]

Never won, playing away, first final. Hopefully PFC can be inspired as the underdogs. 

[narduch]

29 minutes ago, ted said:

Never won, playing away, first final. Hopefully PFC can be inspired as the underdogs. 

What's Bustos status?

[ted]

Good question. The messaging coming out at the semi-final was he would be available but no update from the club AFAIK.

[CDNFootballer]

Watch party for the Finals at JR Slims in Victoria :

[ted]

On 11/29/2021 at 4:14 PM, CDNFootballer said:

Watch party for the Finals at JR Slims in Victoria :

Close to sold out, Yates St Taphouse is also hosting the Lake Side Buoys as usual. 

If we win, the plan is to gather in Bastion Square to celebrate.

SEND OFF: The team is scheduled to fly out of YYJ Friday evening, gathering for 6:30 pm in short-term parking at the terminal.  

EDIT: The team is flying out of YYJ at 9:30 am on Friday.

Edited December 1, 2021 by ted
update

[narduch]

Bustos is day to day.

 

[StillOnFire]

Forge are obviously the favourites here, but Pacific have had a really good season in general.  After the victory against Vancouver, and relatively holding there own against Toronto. Could an upset be on the cards?  Full credit to Pa-Modou Kah, who has taken PFC up a level this season.

[MM3/MM2/MM]

I'm neutral on this one (Ottawa) but would like to see Pacific win so that we have 2 teams in CONCACAF competitions in 2022.  And Pacific are more likable😎

[Aird25]

4 hours ago, narduch said:

Bustos is day to day.

 

Holy sh!t. An injury update?!

[Unnamed Trialist]

As a Pacific fan, I agree that Forge is the juggernaut, so Pacific has to figure them out. That means rigorous prep, and also trying to play in a way that gets some momentum our way. Watching for iffy reffing that rarely will hurt Forge, and staying on the front foot. Would have preferred to see them travelling today, but I guess this way they'll just stay on Pacific time and ignore the time difference. 

I make Forge the favourite, for home advantage, and for form over the past 2 months. If it goes otherwise it is going to be amazing.

[Aird25]

I hope we come out with the energy we had against Vancouver. It felt like we were flying in that game, but we haven't always had the same energy since

[gator]

3 hours ago, Aird25 said:

I hope we come out with the energy we had against Vancouver. It felt like we were flying in that game, but we haven't always had the same energy since

That will be the key given Forge will be travel weary, I posted on here that the visit of Pacific to THF this season was one of the better matches I have seen and I will be disappointed but not shocked if Pacific win this!

[CanadianSoccerFan]

First two years, TSN made absolutely no mention of the CPL final at any point.

[narduch]

 

[Ozzie_the_parrot]

 

[Aird25]

 

[CDNFootballer]

Ticket sales looking good for the CPL Final according to ticketmaster, club seats sold out, 4 outer cheaper sections sold out or very near it, and most of the middle 3 sections shown below sold :

 

Edited December 4, 2021 by CDNFootballer

[Ozzie_the_parrot]

Opening up additional sections will/would be the key indication that they are at very close to the 2021 regular season capacity. CanPL clubs don't always release all the possible available tickets onto ticketmaster.

Edited December 4, 2021 by Ozzie_the_parrot

[grasshopper1917]

I think Pacific has a shot but it is CRITICAL they get off a good start - maybe throw Forge out of wack a bit with an early goal. If Forge come out strong and get a quick one it will be a long day for Pacific.

[Ozzie_the_parrot]

Really hope Pacific wins. The last thing CanPL needs is an 86ers Mk II to emerge only even more dominant in league championship terms. All credit to the Smyrniotis brothers for what they have done with Sigma over the years but the way they are able to use their contacts in the GTA is circumventing the level of parity that the salary cap was supposed to provide. 

[gator]

15 minutes ago, Ozzie_the_parrot said:

Really hope Pacific wins. The last thing CanPL needs is an 86ers Mk II to emerge only even more dominant in league championship terms. All credit to the Smyrniotis brothers for what they have done with Sigma over the years but the way they are able to use their contacts in the GTA is circumventing the level of parity that the salary cap was supposed to provide. 

I'm sure everyone who isn't a Forge fan wants a Pacific win and it would be good for the league and kudos to most of those same fans who cheered for Forge in their Concacaf run, I don't see a problem with a coach using his contacts to gain an advantage, that is how club football works in the rest of the world, MLS is the exception!

[narduch]

I think Forge will win.

Pacific will suffer from having 2 weeks off while Forge was still playing matches.

[Bison44]

1 minute ago, gator said:

I'm sure everyone who isn't a Forge fan wants a Pacific win and it would be good for the league and kudos to most of those same fans who cheered for Forge in their Concacaf run, I don't see a problem with a coach using his contacts to gain an advantage, that is how club football works in the rest of the world, MLS is the exception!

Isnt that exactly what Tommy did in Calgary to get his success..use his history and contacts with Foothills. I changed my mind.....now I want Forge to win.  I'm with you Gator.....parrot droppings has convinced me.  (I still think Forge will be too gassed.....sorry)

[Ozzie_the_parrot]

8 minutes ago, gator said:

...that is how club football works in the rest of the world, MLS is the exception!

Salary caps don't happen in normal club football and neither do secret roster rules.