What Is 2019 Canadian Premier League final

Overview

The 2019 Canadian Premier League Final marked the inaugural championship match of Canada's top-tier professional soccer league. Held on November 2, 2019, it featured Forge FC from Hamilton and Cavalry FC from Calgary, representing the Eastern and Western Conference champions respectively.

The match was tightly contested, ending 0-0 after 90 minutes before Forge FC secured victory in extra time. This final was significant as the culmination of the league’s debut season, establishing a foundation for domestic professional soccer in Canada.

• November 2, 2019 was the official date of the final, held in front of a sold-out crowd at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.
• Forge FC advanced to the final by defeating York9 FC in the first leg and second leg of the semifinals with a 2-1 aggregate score.
• Cavalry FC reached the final by winning the Western Conference with a 2-0 aggregate victory over FC Edmonton in the semifinal series.
• The match remained goalless after regulation time, marking the first time a CPL final went into extra time.
• Tristan Borges scored the decisive goal in the 95th minute, giving Forge FC a 1-0 lead they would maintain to win the title.

How the Playoffs Worked

The Canadian Premier League used a two-legged, home-and-away playoff format to determine its first champion. The top teams from each conference advanced to a semifinal round, followed by a single-match final hosted by the Eastern Conference finalist.

• Regular Season Format: The 2019 CPL season consisted of a spring and fall season, with the best overall record earning a playoff berth. Each team played 28 matches in a split-season format.
• Playoff Qualification: The team with the best cumulative record in each conference advanced to the semifinals. Forge FC won the spring season, while Cavalry FC topped the fall standings.
• Semifinal Structure: The semifinals were two-legged ties with aggregate scoring determining advancement. Away goals did not count double, making consistency across both legs critical.
• Final Hosting: The Eastern Conference finalist hosted the final, giving Forge FC home-field advantage despite Cavalry FC having the better overall season record.
• Extra Time & Penalties: If the final was tied after 90 minutes, two 15-minute extra time periods were played. If still tied, a penalty shootout would decide the champion.
• Championship Trophy: The winner received the North Star Cup, the official trophy of the Canadian Premier League, awarded annually to the league champion.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the two finalists in the 2019 CPL Final:

Despite Cavalry FC finishing with the best overall record, Forge FC capitalized on home advantage and defensive discipline to win the title. The narrow margin of victory underscored the high level of competition in the league’s first season.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Canadian Premier League Final was a landmark event for Canadian soccer, signaling the successful launch of a domestic professional league. It provided a platform for Canadian players and helped grow the sport at the national level.

• Forge FC became the first-ever CPL champions, setting a benchmark for future teams in the league’s history.
• Tristan Borges won the Player of the Match award and later received the CPL Golden Boot for most goals in the season.
• The final attracted over 15,000 fans to Tim Hortons Field, demonstrating strong local support for professional soccer.
• The match was broadcast nationally on CBC and OneSoccer, increasing visibility for the new league.
• Success of the final helped secure future investment and expansion, including the addition of new teams in subsequent years.
• The CPL’s structure emphasized Canadian talent, with each team required to start at least seven Canadian players per match.

The 2019 final laid the groundwork for a sustainable professional league in Canada, fostering national pride and development opportunities for homegrown athletes.