2020 CPL regular season (The Island Games) — Match #4
Forge FC vs. FC Edmonton
August 16, 2019 at 3:00 p.m ET/4:00 p.m. AT
UPEI Artificial Turf Field in Charlottetown, PEI
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca/CHCH

Welcome to The Island Games, FC Edmonton.

The Eddies will be the eighth and final team to make their 2020 CPL season debut in Prince Edward Island on Sunday when they take on Forge FC.

Coach Jeff Paulus has made slight alterations to his fourth-placed squad from 2019, with most of the changes coming up top. Canadian wingers Keven Alemán and Hanson Boakai were added, along with the midfield steel of Erik Zetterberg and Chance Carter. The Eddies’ defence, which conceded a third-fewest 33 goals, didn’t need as much work. Returnees Amer Didic, Jeannot Esua, and Mélé Temguia are complimented by Toronto FC II loanee Terique Mohammed and HFX Wanderers FC standout Duran Lee.

Forge enters this game on two days rest after drawing 2-2 Cavalry FC in The Island Games opener. A goal by Kyle Bekker put the Hamiltonians in the lead late into the second half before a controversial penalty call gave their Finals 2019 rivals a share of the spoils.

The Eddies are one of two CPL teams to hold a .500-or-better record against the CPL Champions (the other being HFX Wanderers)

Up next, Forge FC will take on HFX Wanderers FC on Wednesday (8:00 p.m. ET/9:00 p.m. AT). Meanwhile, FCE will prepare for potentially the only Al Classico matchup of the season against Cavalry FC set on Thursday (2:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. ET).

RELATED READING: CPL regular season: The Island Games || CPL season previews for all eight teams

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• Edmonton’s Incisions: FC Edmonton’s new game-breakers are set to mirror each other on the pitch. Expect left-footed Hanson Boakai and right-footed Keven Alemán to work as inverted wingers, driving through lines and giving Easton Ongaro some much-needed support. Boakai and Alemán will look to give Forge’s David Edgar-Daniel Krutzen centre back partnership its first major challenge of the season.

• Forge’s chop & change: Coach Bobby Smyrniotis said rather explicitly that Forge would change their complexion match-over-match. What changes could we expect? Well, Mo Babouli could start after silencing critics on Thursday during an appearance as a second-half sub. Fellow substitute David Choinière could also start – same with Maxim Tissot.
  

• Successful Paolo Sabak: Forge’s debutant Belgian was excellent in Match #1 and fully appears to be a real deal replacement for Tristan Borges. Drifting forward as a central attacking option, Sabak led the side in chances created (two), passing accuracy (87 per cent), and fouls earned (four). The Eddies know what to expect, though, as Forge’s secret weapon has been somewhat revealed.

INJURIES
FC Edmonton
None

Forge FC
None

ALL-TIME SERIES
Forge wins: 2 || FC Edmonton wins: 2 || Draws: 1

Previous match
October 2, 2019 – FC Edmonton 0-1 Forge FC