Cavalry FC is set to face off against Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League semifinals, with a spot in the Nov. 9 championship game against Atletico Ottawa on the line. The matchup is a repeat of the last two Canadian Premier League finals, with Cavalry winning in 2024 and Forge in 2023, as well as the inaugural 2019 championship game won by Forge. Cavalry coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. says that a date with Forge at this time of the year means you're in the right place, and that his team is ready to take on the challenge. Forge has won four of the last six finals, including the 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 championships, and lost two, to Pacific in 2021 and Cavalry in 2024. The Hamilton side, which topped this year's regular-season standings at 16-2-8, dropped into the contender semifinal after losing 2-1 to visiting Ottawa in the championship semifinal. Cavalry, which finished third in the regular-season standings at 11-8-9, advanced by dispatching York United 4-1 in the semifinal qualifier. The two teams split their regular-season meetings, each with a 1-1-2 record. Forge won its home opener 1-0 over Cavalry on April 5, with the two teams drawing 1-1 at Hamilton Stadium on May 31. Cavalry won 4-1 on Aug. 30 and drew 1-1 on Oct. 10 at ATCO Field. The loss in Calgary snapped a 20-game Forge unbeaten run in league play from the start of the season. Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis says that this year's edition of Forge is exceptional, and that the team has been consistent in its performance. Daniel Nimick, a finalist for Defender of the Year, joined Forge this season after two seasons in Halifax, and says that he was surprised by the lack of egos on the team. Smyrniotis thought his team did enough to win last weekend against Ottawa, and was convinced that his side was denied two clear penalties for handball. The coach believes that the league needs VAR, and that it's tough for coaches and players to see replays on the bench and know exactly what happened. The matchup between Cavalry FC and Forge FC is set to be a thrilling one, with both teams looking to advance to the championship game. With the winner taking on Atletico Ottawa, the stakes are high, and the teams will be giving it their all to come out on top.