In this episode of Forge Daily, host Steve Milton and head coach Bobby Smyrniotis discuss Forge FC's recent experience in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against CF Monterrey. They delve into the challenges faced during travel, the team's performance in the matches, and the integration of new players. Bobby emphasizes the importance of taking chances in high-stakes games and reflects on the potential of younger players. The conversation also touches on the upcoming season, rivalries, community engage...
Feb 14, 2025•26 min
In this episode, Mac & Milty dive into Forge FC's upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup matchup against Monterrey, set for February 5th at home and February 11th away. They discuss the challenges of playing at altitude, the potential for Daniel Parra's return, and the Canadian Championship draw that pits Forge against Halifax in the first round. Plus, a look at Monterrey's league aspirations and Coach Bobby's thoughts on cold weather as a home-field advantage. Chapters 0:00 Concacaf kickoff 3:20 C...
Dec 14, 2024•19 min
Welcome back to Forge Daily with your host, Mackenzie Barwell! In this episode, we dive into Forge FC's exciting Concacaf Champions Cup draw against CF Monterrey, the standout picks from the CPL U Sports Draft, and what it all means for Forge moving forward. Listen to hear Coach Bobby & Kyle Bekker’s thoughts on the news. Chapters: 0:50 CONCACAF draw 2:00 Bobby’s Comments! 4:50 Chat w/ Kyle Bekker’s 10:00 USports Draft Key Takeaways: Concacaf Champions Cup: Forge FC draws Liga MX giants CF M...
Dec 11, 2024•14 min
Forge Daily – November 20, 2024 Join host Mackenzie Barwell as she reflects on Forge FC’s remarkable 2024 season. From hosting CHIVAS FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup to securing monumental wins against CF Montréal and Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship, this episode celebrates Forge’s historic moments and unwavering resilience. Highlights include Kwasi Poku’s meteoric rise, the inaugural School Day Match, and a sixth consecutive CPL Final appearance. Tune in for key player insights, unforg...
Nov 20, 2024•17 min
Welcome to the final episode of Season 2! Today, Mackenzie and Coach Bobby wrap up the season by diving into Forge FC’s 2024 CPL final, their plans for the off-season, and reflecting on the year’s standout moments. Mackenzie also shares highlights from her Banff trip, recaps post-game player conversations, and talks about Coach Bobby’s end-of-season gift! Tune in! Key Takeaways: The Calgary pitch was frozen solid—no flame thrower needed! Coach Bobby reflects on this season as one of Forge’s best...
Nov 13, 2024•24 min
Happy CPL Final Day, everyone! Join host Mackenzie Barwell as she checks in from Calgary, Alberta, recapping Forge FC’s intense 2-1 loss to Cavalry FC in the 2024 CPL Final. Mackenzie dives into the match's highs and lows, shares live fan reactions, and gives an inside look into the post-match press conference, featuring insights from coach Bobby Smyrniotis and Player of the Year, Tristan Borges. Despite the loss, Forge fans showed up in force and made themselves heard—experience the atmosphere ...
Nov 10, 2024•10 min
CPL Final -1! In this episode, Mac catches up with Borges on everything from the Forge FC playoff journey to life outside the game, personal milestones, and a few fun stories. They dive into Forge’s relentless playoff mentality, what it’s like being nominated for two prestigious CPL awards, and the importance of mental and physical self-care in sports. Plus, Borges shares memories from his early days, hilarious field banter, and his thoughts on Liam's Halloween impersonation of Coach Bobby! Key ...
Nov 08, 2024•26 min
Welcome back to Behind the Beard! The 2024 CPL final is quickly approaching and we're diving into it with Coach Bobby Smyrniotis. We'll break down Forge FC's recent 1-0 win over Atlético Ottawa, discuss key players' return, talk about CPL award nominations, and preview Forge's upcoming face-off with Cavalry FC. Plus, Coach Bobby shares insights into team mentality, playoff intensity, and personal coaching reflections—oh, and the fun choppiness that comes with playing a final AWAY. Key Takeaways:...
Nov 06, 2024•24 min
In this episode of Forge Daily , Mackenzie recaps Forge FC's pivotal 1-0 victory over Atlético Ottawa, securing their sixth consecutive CPL Final appearance. Mackenzie shares player reactions from practice, insights from the post-match press conference, and an analysis of the game’s key moments, including Malik Owolabi-Belewu’s winning header. She also previews the highly anticipated final showdown with Cavalry FC, highlighting key players to watch. Key Takeaways : Forge's Strong Lineup: The tea...
Nov 04, 2024•13 min
In this episode of Mac's Access , host Mac sits down with Forge FC's Dav to chat about everything from his recent off-field activities to his thoughts on playing internationally and the mindset going into playoffs. They discuss his brother’s appearance in the Canada vs. Panama match alongside Forge’s own Kwasi, and dive into the team’s motivation and challenges ahead of Champions Cup play. Dav shares memorable moments from his career and reflects on how his calm demeanor serves him on and off th...
Nov 01, 2024•21 min
In this semi-final episode of Behind the Beard , Mac and Coach Bobby dive into Forge FC’s journey through the CPL playoffs, starting with a deep dive into the first semi-final match. They discuss key player roles, highlight defensive heroics, and analyze the team’s dynamic adaptability. The episode covers press conference insights on resilience and mindset, and Bobby reflects on Kwasi Poku’s nomination for U-21 Canadian Player of the Year. Looking ahead to the next semi-final match against Atlét...
Oct 31, 2024•24 min
Welcome back to Forge Daily with your host, Mackenzie Barwell. In today’s episode, we dive into the intense clash between Forge FC and Cavalry FC in the CPL Semi-Finals—another chapter in what’s widely seen as the Canadian Premier League’s most heated rivalry. Mackenzie and Emery unpack the critical moments, the team’s response to challenges, and Coach Bobby Smyrniotis’ insights as Forge looks to rebound. They also preview Forge's upcoming matchup against Atlético Ottawa, where they fight for a ...
Oct 28, 2024•26 min
In this episode of Captain's Log, Kyle Bekker and Mitch Houlahan are joined by Digital Host Mackenzie Barwell and engage in a mix of light-hearted banter and deeper discussions about sports, personal rivalries, and the challenges of academic life. They share humorous anecdotes about ticket mix-ups and the dynamics of their podcast, while also reflecting on their media appearances and the public's perception of them. They delve into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of morning show life, share memor...
Oct 26, 2024•59 min
On this episode of Mac’s Access , Mac welcomes Kyle Bekker to dive into a mix of funny memories, season recaps, and personal growth since their last episode together. Plus, Bekks gives his take on trending Gen Alpha terms and shares what he’d put on his hypothetical “most used phrase” T-shirt. Key Takeaways Bekks reflects on how much they've grown since their first episode together and highlights key milestones, road trip memories, and hilarious training moments. A playful look at the team's dyn...
Oct 25, 2024•28 min
Behind the Beard Season 2 Episode 25!! In today’s episode, Mackenzie and Coach Bobby discuss the result against Pacific, the upcoming playoff game vs Cavalry, and navigating Daniel Parra’s suspension. He share’s his thoughts on Forge’s rivalry with Cavalry and how it’s evolved over the past 6 years. BTB has it’s first official guest! Kadim played a crucial role defensively in central midfield, excelling in aerial duels. Coach Bobby highlighted that it was a great chance for him to step into the ...
Oct 24, 2024•28 min
In this episode of Forge Daily, host Mackenzie Barwell recaps Forge FC's final regular season game against Pacific FC, where a 1-0 loss closed the chapter on the 2024 regular season. With a look at the playoff picture, including the implications of the Tonybet Outcome games, Mackenzie prepares you for Forge's upcoming home playoff clash against arch-rivals Cavalry FC. Tune in for game highlights, stats, and what’s next as Forge FC aims for a fifth championship title! Key Takeaways: Forge FC's Fi...
Oct 21, 2024•9 min
In this engaging conversation, Captain Kyle Bekker and Mitch Houlahan discuss various themes surrounding their recent game experiences, including reflections on team performance, fan engagement, ticketing issues, and the celebratory atmosphere following a trophy win. They also touch on personal anecdotes and the dynamics of their friendships, providing a humorous and insightful look into the world of sports and camaraderie. In this episode, the hosts engage in a light-hearted conversation about ...
Oct 19, 2024•35 min
Malik is back for another edition of Mac’s Access! Today, he and Mackenzie discuss a variety of topics including Malik’s launch of his clothing brand, supporting Kwasi in his national team debut, and clarify some misinformation on his transfer market page. After covering some serious topics like his goals in the CPL and national aspirations, Malik share’s some funny iPhone habits …. Key Takeaways: Malik’s clothing brand ‘Arcane’ is live! You can support his business here: Kwasi called Malik when...
Oct 18, 2024•19 min
Behind the Beard, Season 2 Episode 23! Mackenzie and Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis recap the match against Atlético Ottawa and discuss the team's mindset heading into the playoffs. Bobby reflects on the balance between celebrating achievements and maintaining focus for the playoffs. They also dive into the psychology of playing under pressure and how Forge tends to excel when stakes are high. KeyTakeaways: The key focus in these final regular season games is on performance; the results na...
Oct 17, 2024•20 min
In this episode of Forge Daily, host Mackenzie Barwell recaps Forge FC’s 2-0 loss to Atlético Ottawa in their second last regular-season match. Mackenzie discusses the game’s key moments, the impact on Forge's playoff path, and the celebratory shield lift despite the tough result. She also looks ahead to the final regular-season clash against Pacific FC and discusses what’s at stake for the league standings. Key Takeaways: Forge FC's 2-0 loss to Atlético Ottawa was marked by a slow start, early ...
Oct 14, 2024•11 min
This week on Mac’s Access , Mackenzie chats with one of Forge FC's newest additions, Orlendis Benitez. They discuss his journey playing professionally in Cuba, his experience representing his national team, and his return to Forge FC after his loan stint in 2022. Orlendis also opens up about his excitement to rejoin the team and shares some fun insights on which of his teammates can (and cannot) speak Spanish. Key Takeaways: Orlendis first came to Canada in 2019 while playing for the Cuban natio...
Oct 11, 2024•11 min
Behind the Beard Season 2 Episode 23! Today, Mackenzie & Coach Bobby recap Forge FC’s recent success, including clinching the regular-season shield. They discuss the team’s performance against Valour, reflect on key player dynamics, Kwasi’s call up to the national team and the upcoming match against Atletico Ottawa. In honour of this weekend’s fan appreciation theme, Mackenzie includes a special supporter-focused segment. Keytakeaways Forge FC clinched the regular-season shield with a strong...
Oct 10, 2024•23 min
Forge FC have clinched their second CPL regular season title! Joined by former Forge player and CPL expert Emery Welshman, Mackenzie & Emery break down the key takeaways from Forge's 1-0 victory over Valour FC, dive into the midfield's recent contributions, and look ahead to the final games of the season. Emery shares insights on maintaining motivation with the playoffs in sight, the depth of Forge's roster, and the potential playoff challenges. With playoff spots on the line, the stage is s...
Oct 07, 2024•23 min
In this episode of Mac's Access , Mackenzie sits down with Forge FC’s Victor Klonaridis to dive into his incredible career journey and how his vast international experience has brought a new dimension to Forge FC. They start with his early years at AEK Athens, touch on key moments in champions league and his thoughts on the Canadian Premier League/ Forge!! Key Takeaways: Victor’s journey from signing his first professional contract at 18 with AEK Athens to playing across Europe, including in the...
Oct 04, 2024•21 min
Behind the Beard S2E22!! In this episode, Coach Bobby & Mackenzie break down Forge FC's commanding 2-0 victory over York United. We revisit the key moments from the match, including the halftime adjustments that helped Forge take control. Coach Bobby also offers insights on the upcoming match against Valour FC and the implications of reaching 50 points in the CPL season, clinching the CPL Shield, and marking Forge's 100th win in all competitions!! Key Takeaways: Forge FC's tactical adjustmen...
Oct 02, 2024•21 min
Forge FC extended their lead in the standings by 7 points after yet another home win this past weekend against York United. In today’s episode, Mackenzie breaks down all the action from the 905 Derby, the impact on the standings after Matchweek 25, and takes a look at where Valour FC stands ahead of their upcoming clash with Forge FC this weekend. Key Takeaways; Forge FC secured a 2-0 victory in the 905 Derby against York United, with goals from Noah Jensen and Nana Ampomah. Noah Jensen's goal i...
Sep 30, 2024•13 min
In this lively episode of The Captain's Log , Forge captain Kyle Bekker and Mitch Houlahan bring their signature humor and candid style to the Forge Audio Network. They dive into everything from team dynamics to personal reflections, all while keeping the conversation fun and engaging. Kyle shares stories about his family, including some hilarious anecdotes about his son, and the duo discusses their experiences from the latest Forge games. With a bit of roasting and some heartfelt moments, this ...
Sep 28, 2024•41 min
Matteo returns for another episode of Mac’s Access! Today, he and Mackenzie dive into a range of topics including his first professional goal, his earliest soccer memories, and his experience coaching at the all-girls skills clinic. Plus, much more! Later, Matteo picks his team for the "FALL Stuff" draft - a game played during Behind the Beard. Chapters 1:00 Matteo's First Professional Goal 2:15 Goal Celebration & Family 3:00 Earliest & Most Embarrassing Soccer Memory 4:30 Social Media C...
Sep 27, 2024•14 min
Behind the Beard: Season 2, Episode 21 In this episode, Mackenzie and Coach Bobby dive into everything York United, Forge FC's recent win over Vancouver FC, and the league record they could potentially break in their next 2 home games. Coach Bobby also shares his thoughts on his favourite aspects of Fall… or perhaps lack thereof.. Key Takeaways: Coach Eddie doesn’t handle turbulence well, unlike Coach Bobby, who’s unfazed by it. Dav has been a standout all season, providing the team with consist...
Sep 25, 2024•20 min
Welcome to another episode of Forge Daily! Matchweek 24 has wrapped up, and Forge FC now hold a 5-point lead following their 3-1 win over Vancouver FC on the road this past weekend! Today, we'll dive into that match, what the result means for Forge and the current standings, and who they’re gearing up to face this coming Saturday! Plus, hear from some of the guys as they share their travel experiences coming back from Vancouver. KeyTakeaways: Away Win: Forge FC earned a crucial 3-1 victory over ...
Sep 23, 2024•10 min
