Forge and Atlético Ottawa renew their rivalry at Tim Hortons Field on 4 April 2026 as the new Canadian Premier League season kicks off. Both sides start in the group stage with a clean slate: Forge listed 5th and Atlético Ottawa 6th, each on 0 points and yet to play a league-phase match.
With no 2026 form or goal data available, the narrative leans heavily on last season’s head-to-head battles. Across their last five official CPL meetings (including play-offs), Forge and Atlético Ottawa were almost inseparable: one win each and three draws. Crucially, Ottawa’s lone victory came in the 2025 Semi-finals at this very venue, a 2-1 away success after a 1-1 half-time scoreline. Forge, however, showed their strength at Tim Hortons Field in the 2025 regular season with a 2-0 home win and a 2-2 draw.
There are no confirmed injury absences listed, so both coaches should have close to full squads available. Expect a tactical, finely balanced encounter, with Forge aiming to reassert home dominance and Ottawa looking to prove that last season’s semi-final triumph was no one-off. A tight match with a narrow margin either way looks the most likely outcome.
