CONCACAF League 2019: Chris Nanco, Triston Henry lead Forge to first-leg win over Olimpia

Rudi Schuller

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CONCACAF League 2019: Chris Nanco, Triston Henry lead Forge to first-leg win over Olimpia image

Forge FC's run through the 2019 CONCACAF League continued with a 1-0 first-leg victory over C.D. Olimpia of Honduras in the round of 16 on Thursday.

The Hamilton, Ont., Canadian Premier League club relied on an early goal by Chris Nanco and 90 minutes of heroics by goalkeeper Triston Henry to claim the victory, which is the team's second of the competition after a 2-1 home win over Antigua GFC of Guatemala in the preliminary round last month.

Nanco wasted little time in putting his team ahead on Thursday, dribbling in from the right wing before unleashing a low shot that evaded Olimpia goalkeeper Edrick Menjívar in the fourth minute.

Forge's hot start continued with captain Kyle Bekker ringing a long shot off the crossbar as the Canadian side looked to score early and often against the visitors. The Honduran club eventually settled into the match and found room to attack in waves, leading to a foul inside the Forge 18-yard box that resulted in a 23rd-minute penalty.

Olimpia captain Ever Alvarado stepped up for the spot-kick, but his low, left-footed effort was parried away by Henry to keep the visitors scoreless.

The 25-year-old keeper was put to the test over the course of the match, but he stopped 11 shots as Olimpia desperately sought an equalizer. Henry was equal to the task, coming up big every time as the more experienced Honduran team couldn't get one past the netminder.

Forge FC and C.D. Olimpia will meet again Aug. 29 for the second leg in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Rudi Schuller