ANALYSIS + HIGHLIGHTS: Forge FC fall to CF Monterrey in slippery Leg 1 Concacaf Champions Cup clash (Feb. 5, 2025)

CF Monterrey braved the cold at Hamilton Stadium, and weathered a few glorious chances from hosts, on Wednesday night to emerge 2-0 victors over Forge FC in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup first round matchup.

Nelson Deossa opened the scoring for Monterrey in the 53rd minute, before a brilliant free kick from Jordi Cortizo doubled their advantage in the 66th.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

CF Monterrey’s starting lineup featured just three starters from Saturday’s league match against Necaxa, including goalscorer Fidel Ambriz. Forge, meanwhile, featured five players in their starting lineup who were not with the club last season, including three in the backline: defenders Rezart Rama, Marko Jevremović and Dan Nimick, as well as attackers Mo Babouli and Brian Wright.

The frosty conditions in Hamilton were instantly evident, as both sides struggled to find their footing in the match, quite literally, as the slippery turf took some adjustment causing several slides and spills.

Forge created a couple of good opportunities through the first 15 minutes down the right flank, Brian Wright and then David Choinière were played in behind but neither of them could get their balls across the box quite right.

CF Monterrey came within inches of opening the scoring in the 27th minute, as Roberto de la Rosa latched onto a deflected ball in the final third and sent his shot skimming just wide of the left post.

Forge came even closer two minutes later, as a brilliant run from Rezart Rama saw him break into the box. He poked the ball across the six-yard box, but Brian Wright could not sort his feet out with the net gaping. They broke through again moments later, but the play was ruled offside.

The two sides traded a few more half chances, including a de la Rosa header that drifted narrowly wide of Jassem Koleilat’s net just before half-time. However, an entertaining opening 45 minutes remained scoreless as the two sides retreated out of the cold and into their respective dressing rooms.

Monterrey seemed to adjust to the conditions better in the second half, and came out playing shorter passes and starting to control the tempo of the match.

In the 53rd minute, a beautiful flick and pass from Óliver Torres found de la Rosa on the edge of the box. The Monterrey striker laid the ball off for Deossa, whose curling strike picked out the top right of the net. It was a clear display of the class of the Liga MX club.

That quality was demonstrated again in the 66th minute, as minutes after stepping onto the pitch, substitute Cortizo sent a stunning free kick off of the post and into the back of the net.

The moment seemed to deflate Forge a bit, who couldn’t seem to break out of their own half with a hungry Monterrey team pressing for more. They broke through again in the 69th minute, forcing a great save from Koleilat.

Looking to get something out of the game late, Forge brought on Noah Jensen, as well as CPL-USPORTS pick Maxime Filion for his professional debut in the 75th minute. Moments later, Tristan Borges cut in and curled in a dangerous shot which forced a good save from Luis Cardenas.

Forge had an incredible chance to get on the board in the 83rd minute, as a ball across the box from Alessandro Hojabrpour was deflected over an open net by Alex Achinioti-Jönsson from close range.

Ben Paton then made his Forge debut in the 83rd minute. The hosts kept pressing, with Tristan Borges, who had shifted out wide once Choinière was removed, playing several dangerous balls into the box. But none of them could find their target.

With the away goals rule in effect, Forge now head down to Estadio BBVA on Tuesday with the monumental task of needing to overcome a two-goal deficit.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Forge: Koleilat; Rama (Kane 90+1′), Achinioti-Jönsson, Nimick, Jevremović (Paton 83′); Hojabrpour, Bekker (Ampomah 84′), Borges; Choinière (Jensen 75′), Wright (Filion 75′), Babouli 

CF Monterrey: Cardenas; Chávez, Moreno (Rodriguez 46′), Leone, Arteaga;  Deossa (Basulto 64′), Ambriz (Soto 75′), Fimbres (Canales 82′), Óliver (Cortizo 64′); Alvarado, de la Rosa 

Goals

53′ — Nelson Deossa (CF Monterrey)
66′ — Jordi Cortizo (CF Monterrey) 

Discipline

81′ — Yellow: Ricardo Chávez (CF Monterrey)
89′ — Yellow: Oscar Soto (CF Monterrey)