RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Vancouver FC vs. Forge FC | September 26, 2026

Vancouver FC added a critical point to their ledger on Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre, as they came from a goal down and stopped a late penalty kick to snatch a 1-1 draw against Forge FC.

The point gave the Eagles a little extra comfort in the playoff race, extending their lead above fifth place to seven points. Meanwhile, Forge now find themselves six points back of the top of the tabe, as their CPL Shield campaign begins to slip away.

With both teams missing key players to international duty and injury, the starting lineups inevitably offered surprises. Vancouver, whose leading scorer Mohamed Amissi is away with the Burundian national team, went with Aboubacar Traore on the wing. Meanwhile, Forge handed young goalkeeper Dino Bontis his first start of the year, with usual number one Dimitry Bertaud in camp with DR Congo.

The other notable inclusion in Forge's lineup: striker Lucas Cavallini. The CanMNT veteran made his first start in the CPL, after debuting as a substitute last weekend in Calgary.

Forge were the more aggressive side early on; just seven minutes in, Cavallini nearly opened his CPL account, but VFC right-back Morey Doner staved off the danger with a heroic goal-line block.

Vancouver couldn't keep the visitors out forever, though. They gave up a corner kick to Forge around the 15th minute, and Noah Jensen's delivery caused chaos in the box. The ball ricocheted between several players' feet, and nobody was able to settle it until it fell to defender Manjrekar James. The veteran centre-back smashed it home through the goalmouth traffic to give Forge an early lead.

The goal was a significant blow to Vancouver, who had likely come into the match hoping to sit deep and strike on the counter-attack — like they'd done in previous matchups with Forge.

Chasing the game, Vancouver struggled to find opportunities to get in behind Forge, who dropped their defensive line deeper to take those threats away.

Thierno Bah found his way behind once in the second half, bringing down a good ball over the top. However, Forge keeper Bontis closed him down, surging bravely off his goal line to take away Bah's space and make an excellent save.

Some good news arrived for Vancouver FC at halftime, as 19-year-old midfielder Emrick Fotsing made his return to the pitch. Fotsing, who completed a club-record transfer to the Vancouver Whitecaps several weeks ago, remains with VFC on loan until the end of the season, so coach Martin Nash was thrilled to be able to call on him once again.

The Eagles' path back into the game arrived near the hour mark. After the halftime sub gave them an injection of energy, they managed to strike with their trademark quick ball movement.

Doner, beginning the play from just inside the right of midfield, feathered a ball diagonally to Terran Campbell at the left edge of the box. Campbell strode forward and fed a pass back across the area, and it arrived perfectly for Doner himself to finish and tie the game at 1-1.

This match did have a little more drama left in store.

With about 15 minutes to play, Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis initiated an FVS challenge, asking for a review of a possible foul on Anthony Aromatario in the box. After a lengthy review, the referee judged Thierno Bah's contact to be out of line and awarded the spot kick.

However, the late penalty would not be Forge's winner, nor Cavallini's first goal in the CPL. Instead, Vancouver captain Callum Irving dove to his left to stop the attempt, playing hero yet again with his second penalty save of the week (after he stopped Inter Toronto's Ollie Bassett on Wednesday).

In fact, it was Irving's fourth penalty save of the season. Astonishingly, he has yet to be beaten from the spot in the 2026 campaign.

Vancouver came closest to winning it late, with a chance for Bah that he put wide of the far post, but this match wasn't destined to have a victor.

Instead, these sides were forced to share the spoils. A point might not cement Vancouver's place in the postseason, but it did give them a little bit of extra breathing room after Halifax and FC Supra's defeats this weekend.

Forge, meanwhile, would need a near-miraculous turnaround to pass Cavalry in the Shield race; if they're to win silverware this year, they're more likely to do so in the Canadian Championship or CPL Playoffs.

Box Score

Starting XIs

Vancouver FC: Irving; Doner, Campagna, Field, Proctor; Lee (Fotsing 46'), Toomey (Rassak 84'), Polisi; Bah, Campbell (Bibishkov 90+6'), Traore (Mezquida 84')

Forge FC: Bontis; Rama, Nimick, James, Paton; Aromatario, Borges (Sadek 62'), Jensen (Johnson 84'); Bourgeois (Wright 90+1'), Cavallini (Oketokoun 84'), Fillion (Massunda 62')

Goals

16' - Manjrekar James (Forge FC)
64' - Morey Doner (Vancouver FC)

Discipline

68' - Yellow: Luis Toomey (Vancouver FC)
86' - Yellow: Nicolas Mezquida (Vancouver FC)
90+8' - Yellow: Marcello Polisi (Vancouver FC)