RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Forge FC vs. Valour FC | August 2, 2025

In a year where Forge have already made plenty of history, they added another entry to the books on Saturday night: the biggest home win in club history.

Forge defeated Valour FC by 5-0 for the second consecutive match -- having done so in Winnipeg back on June 22.

Tristan Borges opened the scoring with his first of the CPL season, before Mo Babouli, Nana Ampomah, David Choinière and Noah Jensen all got in on the offensive action as well.

With both Jonathan Viscosi and Eleias Himaras unavailable for Valour through injury and suspension, respectively, short-term injury replacement goalkeeper Callum Weir made the start in net for the Winnipeggers.

Forge came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute off of a corner kick. Borges' delivery was flicked on by Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson off the post and dangerously through the six-yard box.

The visitors, however, defended quite well through the early stages of the match, taking time and space away from Forge's attackers and not allowing them to build up with any comfort.

Forge were finally able to break with numbers in the 26th minute, however. Nana Ampomah found himself free down the left, and his blocked shot deflected into the path of Borges, who smashed home from close range to give Forge a 1-0 lead.

Valour were forced to make an early change late in the first half when Zachary Fernandez departed through injury, and was replaced by Roberto Alarcón.

In the 44th minute, Forge added a second. Again, it was Ampomah creating danger, this time cutting in from the right and firing a shot saved by Weir. The rebound, however, fell right to Mo Babouli, who tapped the ball home.

Just a few minutes later, Forge made it a third. This time, it was a brilliant ball from Kyle Bekker that broke the lines and played through Ampomah. The Forge attacker cut through two Valour defenders, before slotting his shot under Weir to make it 3-0.

Wright had a great chance to make it a fourth early in the second half, after an outstanding delivery from Ampomah, but sent his header just wide.

Valour tried to ignite an attacking spark in the 60th minute, bringing in Jordan Faria and Erik Pop.

Babouli had a great chance in the 62nd minute to add his second of the match after Ampomah's cutback found him at the top of the box. However, his shot was brilliantly blocked by Gianfranco Facchineri.

The Forge onslaught could only be slowed for so long, however, as in the 67th minute, Choinière added a fourth. Rezart Rama and Ampomah played a lovely 1-2 down the flank, before Rama crossed the ball into the box for Choinière to make it 4-0.

Five minutes later, it was five for Forge, as substitute Jensen capitalized on the latest combination between Bekker and Ampomah. The latter's low cross picked out Jensen who had an open net to tap the ball into.

Jensen came close to adding a second in the 88th minute, but sent a volley off of the crossbar.

Forge take over the league's top spot for the moment, two points ahead of Atlético Ottawa who are in action on Sunday, hosting York United. They extend their unbeaten run to 17 this season, with a record of 10-7-0.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Forge FC: Koleilat; Rama (Cissé 77'), Nimick (Hojabrpour 74'), Achinioti-Jönsson, Jevremović; Bekker, Borges (Jensen 67'), Babouli; Choinière, Ampomah (Filion 74'), Wright (Massunda 67')

Valour FC: Weir; Fernandez (Alarcón 40'), Egwu, Facchineri, Antonoglou; Mlah (Romeo 76'), Ohin; Twardek, Figueiredo (Ressurreição 76'), Morgan (Faria 60'); Froese (Pop 60')

Goals

26' -- Tristan Borges (Forge FC)
43' -- Mo Babouli (Forge FC)
45' -- Nana Ampomah (Forge FC)
66' -- David Choinière (Forge FC)
72' -- Noah Jensen (Forge FC)

Discipline

43' -- Yellow: Safwane Mlah (Valour FC)