Both teams started nine Canadian players; league rules required a minimum of only six each.

[11] Ryan Telfer scored the CPL's first ever goal in the 3rd minute to give York9 the lead off of a through pass by captain Manny Aparicio.

[11][12][13] Forge's Emery Welshman nearly tied the match a few minutes later with a bicycle kick, but his shot went wide.

[13][14] In the 62nd minute, Forge captain Kyle Bekker notably ran through York9's Joseph Di Chiara with his elbow up, but escaped punishment on the play.

[14][15] Forge substitute Kadell Thomas eventually levelled the score at 1–1 in the 78th minute off of a feed from Welshman.