Tomorrow, Forge FC will take on the Halifax Wanderers at home! In today's episode, Mackenzie sits down with Garven, Noah, and Chris after training to discuss their thoughts on the upcoming match, the team's development, and how they plan to leverage home-field advantage.

Key Takeaways:

• Chris Kalongo has made 27 saves this season and is a strong contender for Goalkeeper of the Year.
• Nana and Cisse have integrated well into the team, though Nana still needs to work on remembering his teammates' names!
• Since Patrice Gheisar took over as head coach for Halifax, the Wanderers have improved their quality and altered their style of play.
• Forge FC has struggled against the Wanderers recently, not securing a win since 2022. Their all-time record against Halifax stands at 8 wins, 3 losses, and 10 draws.

Chapters:

• Halifax Form
• Beating Halifax in 2022
• Leveraging home-field advantage.
• Offensive Momentum and being clinical
• Chris I& goalkeeper of the year
• Garv’s 100th game!

Forge Audio Network
The Forge Audio Network provides Forge FC fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite soccer team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mackenzie Barwell, Kyle Bekker, Mitch Houlahan, Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge players and coaches, other Canadian Premier League experts, and many more. Regular shows include Forge Daily, The Captain's Log, Behind The Beard, Mac's Access, and so much more. Forge Audio Network content can be found on the Forge FC YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at forgefc.canpl.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow Forge FC social media channels to keep up to date with all Forge Audio Network content.
Twitter: @ForgeFCHamilton
Insta: @forgefc
TikTok: @forgefchamilton
Facebook: ForgeFCHamilton

Welcome back to another episode of Forge Daily! Today, Mackenzie chats with Charlie O’Connor Clarke about Forge FC’s current form, the team's depth amid player availability issues, and the potential threats posed by the Halifax Wanderers this weekend. We also hear from Elimane Cisse on how he has been adjusting since arriving in Hamilton and why he decided to return!

Key Takeaways:

• Cisse is thrilled to be back, having always wanted to return due to his love for his teammates, the coaching staff, and the Forge community between 2019-2022.
• Coach Bobby was complimentary toward Nana Ampomah after the Cavalry match, noting that he brought a different kind of attack that Cavalry may not have anticipated or been prepared for.
• Cisse is familiar with many of the players but is currently reintegrating into the squad and working to get back into match form after a six-month hiatus.
• Charlie mentioned that Daniel Parra is a strong contender for Defender of the Year in 2024.
• Looking at the end-of-year awards, Kwasi Poku is the frontrunner for U-21 Player of the Year, and Chris Kalongo is in contention for Goalkeeper of the Year.

Chapters:

0:55 Cisse on being back!

6:00 Charlie Intro

6:50 Forge Form

8:50 Depth & Player Availability

11:00 Watching Cisse again

13:00 Wanderers matchup

16:00 End of season awards!

Forge Audio Network
The Forge Audio Network provides Forge FC fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite soccer team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mackenzie Barwell, Kyle Bekker, Mitch Houlahan, Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge players and coaches, other Canadian Premier League experts, and many more. Regular shows include Forge Daily, The Captain's Log, Behind The Beard, Mac's Access, and so much more. Forge Audio Network content can be found on the Forge FC YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at forgefc.canpl.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow Forge FC social media channels to keep up to date with all Forge Audio Network content.
Twitter: @ForgeFCHamilton
Insta: @forgefc
TikTok: @forgefchamilton
Facebook: ForgeFCHamilton

Join Forge FC captain Kyle Bekker and Mitch Houlahan as they delve into the latest buzz around the Forge Audio Network. In this episode of Captain's Log, they tackle hot topics, including the controversy surrounding a Canadian drone incident at the Olympics and its repercussions on the Women's National Team. With their usual mix of humor and candid opinions, Kyle and Mitch provide insights and commentary you won't want to miss.

Takeaways:

• Discussion about the Canadian drone controversy at the Olympics and the suspension of key team members.
• Speculations on how the Women's National Team will handle the turmoil and maintain their focus.
• Insights on the potential impact of the controversy on the team's performance in upcoming games.
• Highlights of Forge FC's recent and upcoming matches, including key player performances and strategic insights.
• Excitement for the upcoming Marvel-themed night at Forge FC's next match, including fan engagement and event details.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Mention of the Canadian Women's Soccer Team

03:11 - Discussion on the Drone Incident and Controversy

08:01 - Suspension of the Head Coach

13:38 - Support and Unity for the Team

17:06 - Focusing on the Competition

19:19 - Predictions for the Team's Success

21:22 - Streaming Practices

28:36 - Simoni and Kyle's Team Talks

Stay tuned for more episodes of Captain's Log on the Forge Audio Network. Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe to keep up with all the latest from Forge FC. Go to https://forgefc.canpl.ca/tickets/ to explore ticketing options for upcoming games.

Welcome to this week’s episode of Mac’s Access! Today, Mackenzie sits down with Forge FC defender Malik Owolabe Belewu. They explore his youth career, his long-standing friendship with Kwasi Poku, and what led him to join the CPL. To wrap up, they have fun identifying different North American and UK terms that share the same meaning..

Chapters:

0:00 Malik’s 5 Aside Marvel team!

3:30 Kwasi and Malik are BFFS

6:45 Dreams jobs as a kid!

8:00 Malik’s dance career

9:30 Maliks TFC experience

11:00 Playing Overseas

13:00 Italy & FOOD!

15:00 Finding out about Forge

18:00 British vs Canadian Slang

Key Takeaways:

• Kwasi and Malik have been friends for over five years. Malik was thrilled that they both joined Forge FC around the same time.
• Malik's first organized sport was dancing. He remembers his first solo performance as a nerve-wracking experience, which ended with him running off stage.
• Malik had trials with a club in Italy and spent a significant portion of his professional career playing there.
• Malik began his career as a striker but transitioned to a defender after his stint with TFC.

Forge Audio Network
The Forge Audio Network provides Forge FC fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite soccer team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mackenzie Barwell, Kyle Bekker, Mitch Houlahan, Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge players and coaches, other Canadian Premier League experts, and many more. Regular shows include Forge Daily, The Captain's Log, Behind The Beard, Mac's Access, and so much more. Forge Audio Network content can be found on the Forge FC YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at forgefc.canpl.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow Forge FC social media channels to keep up to date with all Forge Audio Network content.
Twitter: @ForgeFCHamilton
Insta: @forgefc
TikTok: @forgefchamilton
Facebook: ForgeFCHamilton

Season 2 Episode 12 of Behind the Beard! Today, Mackenzie and Coach Bobby discuss Forge FC’s 1-1 draw to Cavalry FC, Triston Henry’s signing to USL side Memphis FC, and expectations for hosting the Halifax Wanderers this season. Later on, Mackenzie takes Coach Bobby through a high pressure “Guess that Forge FC player” game.

Key Takeaways

• The Forge FC staff know their coffee! Milk, foam, espresso ratio must be perfect!
• Coach Bobby says the team felt like they needed something more from the first half against Cavalry being so tactically sound.
• At this point in the season, it’s about putting a streak of 2-3 games with maximum points.
• Good performances from both Amadou & Nana which allowed Forge FC to be “more aggressive in the mid block & exposing space in behind Cavalry’s backline”
• The last time Forge and Halifax matched up, they tied with a goal in stoppage time. Coach Bobby says Forge have to be more clinical and take advantage of early opportunities this time around.

Chapters:

0:00 Cottaging & Coffee

4:00 1st Half against

6:00 Nana Starting Debut

6:40 Playing at a high altitude

8:00 Amadou Kone out wide

9:10 Sitting or standing..

9:50 Chris Kalongo !!!

11:15 Tristan Henry USL signing

12:35 Playing down a player

15:10 Halifax this Saturday

17:10 Point Threshold

19:00 Guess that Forge FC player..

Forge Audio Network
The Forge Audio Network provides Forge FC fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite soccer team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mackenzie Barwell, Kyle Bekker, Mitch Houlahan, Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge players and coaches, other Canadian Premier League experts, and many more. Regular shows include Forge Daily, The Captain's Log, Behind The Beard, Mac's Access, and so much more. Forge Audio Network content can be found on the Forge FC YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at forgefc.canpl.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow Forge FC social media channels to keep up to date with all Forge Audio Network content.
Twitter: @ForgeFCHamilton
Insta: @forgefc
TikTok: @forgefchamilton
Facebook: ForgeFCHamilton

In this episode of The Captain's Log, hosts Kyle Bekker and Mitch Houlahan dive into a week packed with action and insights. They kick things off with a recap of Forge FC's latest game against Pacific FC, highlighting standout performances and the return of key players. Kyle shares personal anecdotes, including some funny stories about his son’s latest antics and the challenges of toddler parenting. The episode also features a segment where Kyle reads and responds to mean tweets, showcasing his lighthearted approach to handling online criticism. The hosts discuss the impact of social media on athletes and share their thoughts on maintaining a positive mindset in the face of negativity.

Takeaways:

• Kyle Bekker and Mitch Hullahan recap Forge FC's latest game against Pacific FC.
• Kyle Bekker shares humorous and relatable stories about his son’s antics and the challenges of parenting a toddler.
• The episode features an entertaining segment where Kyle reads and responds to mean tweets, demonstrating his lighthearted approach to handling online criticism.
• Discussion on the impact of social media on athletes and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset despite negative comments.
• Anticipation for the upcoming Olympics, with reflections on past memorable moments and the excitement surrounding the event.
• Insight into the dynamics of the locker room and team activities, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a professional athlete.
• The hosts discuss the recent weather challenges, including rain delays, the flood in the GTA this week and how weather impacts training and game schedules.
• A lighthearted look at fan interactions, both online and in-person, and how they add to the overall experience of being a professional soccer player.

Chapters

00:00 - TV Shows, Parenting, and Flooding
09:14 - Updates on Soccer Games and Players
14:35 - Dealing with Haters on Social Media
20:11 - The Olympics and CPL Jersey Sales
27:23 - Why no Forge 24/7 Documentary?

Stay tuned for more episodes of Captain's Log on the Forge Audio Network. Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe to keep up with all the latest from Forge FC. Go to https://forgefc.canpl.ca/tickets/ to explore ticketing options for upcoming games.

Final episode of Forge Daily for the week! In today's show, Mackenzie is joined by Adam Jenkins to preview Forge FC's upcoming clash against Cavalry FC. They cover Kwasi Poku's recent statistics, the dynamics of broadcasting intense and physical matches, and what makes this rivalry the most historic in the Canadian Premier League.

Key Takeaways:

• Cavalry have historically been very strong at home. They conceded their first game at ATCO Field against York United for the first time last weekend. They'll look to use their matchup against Forge as a way to bounce back.
• When it comes to teams that frequently play each other in significant matches, Adam says this is the most historic rivalry, which generally tends to be one-sided.
• Kwasi is intelligent enough to play as a left back again, but even when Jordan Hamilton and Terran Campbell return to full form, it's hard to say if they'll want him to move.
• Cavalry are currently an extremely frustrated group. They will be more motivated and well-rested than they have been in a long time.

Chapters:

0:40 Takeaways from Pacific

2:40 Midweek matches or rest & recovery?

4:30 Playing at ATCO field

6:10 Most historic rivalry in the CPL

7:10 Commentating physical & intense matches

10:20 Cavalry form & player absences

13:10 The “panic button”

14:30 Kwasi as a left back?

Forge Audio Network
The Forge Audio Network provides Forge FC fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite soccer team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mackenzie Barwell, Kyle Bekker, Mitch Houlahan, Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge players and coaches, other Canadian Premier League experts, and many more. Regular shows include Forge Daily, The Captain's Log, Behind The Beard, Mac's Access, and so much more. Forge Audio Network content can be found on the Forge FC YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at forgefc.canpl.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow Forge FC social media channels to keep up to date with all Forge Audio Network content.
Twitter: @ForgeFCHamilton
Insta: @forgefc
TikTok: @forgefchamilton
Facebook: ForgeFCHamilton

Welcome to another edition of Mac’s Access! In today’s episode, Mackenzie is joined by David Choinière. David shares his first memories of playing soccer, reflects on his time in the CF Montreal academy, and describes the exhilaration of scoring the game-winning goal in Forge FC’s inaugural CONCACAF victory. They wrap up the show with a fun Canadian-themed game.

Key Takeaways

• Dav’s earliest soccer memories involve playing with his neighbor, passing the ball against the side of their house in the backyard.
• Dav’s first sport was actually hockey, influenced by his family's strong support for the Montreal team.
• When Dav signed his first professional contract, his brother was more enthusiastic about the achievement than he was.
• After two years of professional play in Montreal, during which he battled an injury and had limited playing time, Dav sought a new challenge with Forge FC
• After experiencing a career pausing injury, Dav says he learned how quickly the sport can be taken away from an athlete.

Chapters:

0:00 Fashion & shoe game

2:00 Mac’s Parking Incident

3:20 Inspirations & early memories

6:40 Moving for CF Montreal Academy

8:30 Dav doesn’t remember an Award..

9:40 Signing first Pro Contract

12:20 Playing with his Brother

13:3:00 Injury experience

16:00 Joining Forge

18:00 First Goal with the Club

Forge Audio Network
The Forge Audio Network provides Forge FC fans with the most comprehensive, entertaining and informative news and information about their favourite soccer team. Featuring Steve Milton, Mackenzie Barwell, Kyle Bekker, Mitch Houlahan, Bobby Smyrniotis, Forge players and coaches, other Canadian Premier League experts, and many more. Regular shows include Forge Daily, The Captain's Log, Behind The Beard, Mac's Access, and so much more. Forge Audio Network content can be found on the Forge FC YouTube channel, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, at forgefc.canpl.ca and anywhere else you find podcasts. Please follow, like, leave a review wherever you find our content, and follow Forge FC social media channels to keep up to date with all Forge Audio Network content.
Twitter: @ForgeFCHamilton
Insta: @forgefc
TikTok: @forgefchamilton
Facebook: ForgeFCHamilton