How To Watch The Forge FC CONCACAF League Game

Update: Another roadblock for streamers! It looks like even CONCACAF GO doesn’t having streaming rights in Canada. Viewers with access to TSN Direct can watch it on that streaming service, while a replay will appear on TSN2 later on.

Forge FC made history when it became the first Canadian Premier League team to qualify for the CONCACAF League, beating out FC Edmonton and Valour FC in a three-team head-to-head matchup for the right to represent Canada’s only domestic professional league in the intercontinental tournament.

This Thursday, Forge FC will play host to Guatemalan side Antigua GFC, who are the current champions of Guatemala. Despite the fact that many of the club’s star players have left in recent times, Hamilton soccer icon John McGrane has it right when he says that this is one of the top football matches to ever reach the hammer.

While OneSoccer had previously stated that it will be covering all CONCACAF League matches played on Canadian soil, it looks like the global streaming service put the proverbial cart ahead of the horse: it doesn’t hold the Canadian broadcast rights for the competition, which will be streaming through CONCACAF GO instead.

Confirming that we will not be showing the match. Another broadcaster has the rights to the matches, unfortunately.

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That means fans who aren’t in attendance at Tim Hortons field won’t be able to use OneSoccer to catch the match (unless the streaming service acquires the rights in the very near future), and will instead need to use CONCACAF GO.

A new listing for TSN Direct also has a slot listed under ‘international club soccer’ during the match, though the TSN schedule simply lists ‘TBD vs TBD’. It’s possible that TSN Direct may be showing the game as well.

A Forge FC press email sent to Northern Tribune, likewise, has only listed CONCACAF GO when it comes to streaming options.

CONCACAF GO offers a single match pay-per-view experience for $1.99 which fans can sign up for here.

Speaking earlier with The Hamilton Spectator, Forge FC President Matt Afinec was evidently excited about the matchup – though less excited about a 6:00PM kickoff time that might hurt attendance.

Being the first club to represent our league and our country in a league of continental scale is of great magnitude. I think it’s on par with global competitions we’ve had in this city. This is putting Hamilton on the continental map. The 6 p.m. kickoff time, which is not ideal from a local ticketing and marketing perspective, is entirely rooted in TV obligations in Central America and the Caribbean where the TV contracts are pretty lucrative for this product.

Matt Afinec

In any event, Forge FC will be doing its part to represent the league in its inaugural season. With crafty players like Tristan Borges (who has scored against every other CPL club) and Kadell Thomas (who’s solo chip goal might just be league’s most-viewed), the Hamilton-based club ought to feel confident regarding its ability to score goals heading into the match.

Forge FC came second in the Canadian Premier League spring season behind Cavalry FC, but has currently leapfrogged its natural rivals to take first place in the fall season – though Cavalry FC still has a game in hand. The Hammer still has a lot to prove, and a win in an intercontinental competition like the CONCACAF League would go a long way in that regard.

After the home fixture on August 1, Forge FC will travel to Guatemala City on August 8 for the away leg. The aggregate winner will then move on to face CD Olimpia of Honduras in the CONCACAF League Round of 16.

Source: The Hamilton Spectator, CONCACAF GO