Game on in Monterrey.
A changed Forge FC took to their home pitch at Hamilton Stadium on Tuesday night, withstanding the frequent waves of Tigres pressure — in a match that Forge head coach Bobby Smyrniotis described as 'uniquely Canadian' after the match, on account of the weather — to earn a valuable 0-0 draw to start their 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign.
Smyrniotis welcomed three new signings into the Hammers’ starting eleven on Tuesday, with the most notable being Dimitry Bertaud taking over the keeper’s gloves from Jassem Koleilat (released).
Spanish forward Ismael Oketokoun and French defender Antoine Batisse also took the roles of Nana Ampomah (visa issues) and Malik Owolabi-Belewu (transferred).
Oketokoun, in particular, showed promise in his debut, with perhaps the best chance of the night for Forge. The young forward was played in by a short slip pass from Mo Babouli in the 42nd minute, but hesitated on the final shot.
He found himself in on goal 12 minutes into the second half in a similar fashion, but under-hit the finish after taking two Tigres defenders out of the play.
Kitchener, Ontario native Ben Paton had the other impressive chance for Forge, thanks in part to right-back Rezart Rama’s clever flick to break free down the flank.
Rama’s cross, a quarter of an hour into the match, fell free at the back post for Paton, after it missed Oketokoun and winger Hoce Massunda. However, Paton could only redirect the ball back across the open goalmouth.
Rama himself would narrowly blaze a header over Guzmán’s crossbar in the 85th minute.
For their lack of clinicality at their end of the pitch, the Hamiltonians also had their blushes saved by VAR as Tigres midfielder Juan Brunetta struck an effort into the roof of Bertaud’s goal in the 64th minute. It was brought back for offside, as Brunetta had taken half a step further than Forge centreback Dan Nimick.
Bertaud also tallied up seven saves, amounting to a stellar performance after an incredible fingertip save on Marcelo Flores, the target of extensive rumours of a switch from El Tri to the CanMNT. The Georgetown, Ontario-born midfielder unleashed a laser on Bertaud, right before the end of the first half.
Both teams pushed for a winner, including a last-minute free-kick for the visitors after a Kyle Bekker handball on the edge of the area, but Brunetta’s take deflected off the wall, seeing out the final moments.
Forge are the first team to return to competitive action after the winter, qualifying for their fourth Champions Cup appearance as last season’s Canadian Premier League Shield winners during the regular season.
Two more CPL sides, Vancouver FC and Atlético Ottawa, also qualified for Round One of the competition, with Vancouver set to host reigning champions Cruz Azul in Langley on Wednesday. Ottawa will begin their journey against MLS side Nashville SC — boasting former CPL star Woobens Pacius — on February 17th.
"It was a very positive showing from [Anthony Aromatario]."
"You're playing a team that's in mid-season form, and we're not. We have to make sure the game is 100% about tactics, so for that, I'm happy with the group."
"We know over two legs, it's important to give ourselves a good opportunity in the second one."
"We decided to be a little bit different than we have been in the past in these games, with the result being the most important thing, and I thought the guys went out there and executed very well."
"We came here to win. We know it's a 180-minute tie. We had chances to win, and [Dimitry] had a great night."
"It was a close game."
"In the second half, [Forge] closed out a lot, and it made it more difficult for us."
Tigres dominated, but Forge stayed strong. Both sides had great chances throughout the game, with Dimitry Bertaud being the hero for the home side after making seven saves.
Anthony Aromatario, who is signed on a short-term deal, made his debut for the Hammers and impressed.
Forge FC 0-0 Tigres UANL
Rezart Rama gets a wide open header go just above the net.
The Mexicans thought they had taken the lead through Juan Brunetta, but VAR deemed the play offside.
Hoce Massunda gets a shot on goal, but it's saved by 'Patón' Guzmán.
Tigres get a couple of great chances, but are unable to put it past Dimitry Bertaud.
Tigres gets the second half started.
Tigres have dominated possession and have had the most shots — 8 in total and four of them on target.
Dimitry Bertaud has made some key saves for the Hammers, keeping the game at nil-nil after 45.
Forge and Tigres remain goalless after 45 minutes of action.
Dimitry Bertaud, on his first game for Forge, denies Marcelo Flores.
The visitors have gotten great chances but have been denied twice.
Ben Paton puts in a shot that narrowly misses the goal.
Forge has struggled to get a hold of the ball, giving it away various times throughout the opening minutes.
Forge get the ball rolling and we're underway in Hamilton.
Marcelo Flores, who recently chose to play for the Canadian Men's National Team, starts for Tigres alongside legend André-Pierre Gignac.
Bobby Smyrniotis surprises with his striker, opting for newly signed Spanish youngster Ismael Oketo instead of Brian Wright.
Antoine Batisse starts next to Dan Nimick, with Daniel Krutzen not even on the bench.
Nahuel Guzmán; Juan Purata, Juan Vigon, Fernando Gorriarán, André-Pierre Gignac, Juan Brunetta, Jesús Garza, Diego Lainez, Marcelo Flores, Romulo Zanre, Vladimir Loroña
Dimitry Bertaud; Marko Jevremovic, Antoine Batisse, Dan Nimick, Rezart Rama; Kyle Bekker, Ben Paton; Mo Babouli, Tristan Borges, Hoce Massunda; Ismael Oketo
📆 Tuesday, February 3, 2025
⏰ 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT
📺 OneSoccer
👤 Armando Villarreal (USA)
🏟 Hamilton Stadium, Hamilton, Canada
Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of tonight's clash between Forge FC and Cruz Azul as part of the first leg of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One.