HAMILTON, Ont. – Forge FC capped off a busy first week of training camp by announcing the long-rumoured signing of former Montreal Impact midfielder David Choinière. The 22 year-old made 5 appearances for the Impact between 2016 and 2018, and was the first graduate of USL’s FC Montreal to the MLS first team. This comes after 4 more signings were announced last week.
Choinière Signs for Forge FC
We've signed former @impactmontreal midfielder, David Choinière (@ChoiniereDavid)!
🗞 | https://t.co/xHb6T6aThu#ForgeFC | #CanPL pic.twitter.com/8qTbOx6QDf
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) March 7, 2019
Choinière gives Bobby Smyrniotis, Technical Director and Head Coach of Forge FC, more options in an already stacked midfield that includes fellow former MLS-er Kyle Bekker and Dutch Eredivisie product Tristan Borges. Choinière has one cap for Canada’s national team, in addition to representing his country in the youth levels.
Soccer Unites Hamilton
Choinière – another bigger-name signing – comes on the back of perhaps the biggest announcement out of Hamilton so far: the Soccer Unites Hamilton initiative. Forge FC Co-Founder Bob Young (who also owns the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger Cats) has made it a priority to have the first ever Canadian Premier League match be a roaring success. The Club announced they would hold a contest to offer free tickets to anyone and everyone who wants one, hoping to fill Tim Hortons Field’s full capacity of 23,218.
Moments that change the landscape of a sport, a city, or a community don’t come along very often. So we’re celebrating accordingly! [. . .] An event of this magnitude, a match that is bigger than the game itself, deserves to have as many fans in attendance as possible to celebrate the moment and help create an unforgettable atmosphere. Let’s come together to make history!
As momentum continues to build for the league’s first kick off between Forge FC and York 9 FC, expect those seats to be filled.
"Enter to win tickets, fill every seat at @TimHortonsField and let’s celebrate history together." – Kyle Bekker
🤞🏻🎟️ | https://t.co/9izZzc5v2A #ForgeFC | #CanPL pic.twitter.com/dwdbcoOFx9
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) March 6, 2019
First Week of Training Camp
The club also began training camp this week, starting with fitness testing and some light drills. New coaching staff were also introduced: Former KRC Genk academy coach Peter Reynders and Johan Albert, former FC Nantes assistant and video coach. The two coaching appointments bring excellent experience and skill to the Forge FC touchline. Both coaches hold a UEFA ‘A’ coaching license, the second-highest coaching qualification in the sport.
The opening of training camp also starts the competition for the final roster places. 17 players are already signed to CPL deals. One stand-out competing for a final spot is 20 year old local striker Taha Ilyass. Ilyass impressed in the Hamilton edition of the CPL’s “Got Game” open trials last year and could earn a roster spot based on his performances thus far.
Training camp continues over the coming weeks, with a first friendly match scheduled for the 23rd of March. With just over 50 days to the season’s start, Smyrniotis and his staff have plenty of time to evaluate players and build the inaugural roster.
