The countdown is on.
After dozens of player signings and several other announcements, the Canadian Premier League unveiled the date of its inaugural match. On April 27, Hamilton's Forge FC will host nearby rival York 9 FC at 1:00 p.m. ET.
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The CPL announced the inaugural match at an event in downtown Toronto on Tuesday, in conjunction with the declaration of a league-wide partnership with automaker Volkswagen. It's the latest, and perhaps biggest, of the fledgling league's bevy of announcements thus far, as there is now a definitive starting point for on-field action.
“Every day we’re making history," Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis told CanPL.ca. "On that day, a lot of history will come down. It’s something I’ve told players I have already signed: There is going to be a lot of history written, including on that opening day."
History will be made. #CanPL@York9fc | @ForgeFCHamilton pic.twitter.com/PxRT3xpAHc
— CanPL (@CPLsoccer) January 29, 2019
Smyrniotis' counterpart at York 9 FC, former Canadian international Jim Brennan, said the game will take on even more significance because of the proximity between the two clubs. Roughly 80 kilometres separate the teams' home stadiums, making it the closest rivalry in the CPL.
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With the excitement of kicking off a new league added into the local angle, Brennan expects the so-called "905 Derby" to be a unique atmosphere at Tim Hortons Field.
“It’s a bit more special because it’s a local derby and we’ll have York 9 presence in the stands, but we want to get out there and have a good start to the season and hopefully come away from that game with three points," Brennan said. "It’s always exciting, but to kick off the Canadian Premier League and make history makes it a special game for everybody.”
Speaking at Tuesday's event, commissioner David Clanachan said the CPL plans on making several more announcements — including the full schedule and broadcast details — in the coming weeks as the league prepares for its maiden season.