Forging a path through Central America in search of a Champions League spot

The players of Canadian Premier League champions Forge FC have been away from their families for more than two months in total in 2020, as they become nomads of the CONCACAF, wandering the region while taking part in the CONCACAF League.

With Canada requiring a 14-day quarantine upon return to the country from abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, rendering things like training sessions illegal, Forge recruited former Guyana international Jelani Smith as team manager to help the team navigate all the administrative work involved in travelling the region. The team is now in Hondarus, preparing for its fourth CONCACAF League game in a fourth different country after they travels have taken them to El Salvador, Panama and the Dominican Republic in the last couple of months.

Those sacrifices may all be worth it with the team a win away from qualification into next year's CONCACAF Champions League. Forge FC face Honduran side Club Deportivo Marathon in a play-in round match in the CONCACAF League on Tuesday, where only the winner will be rewarded with entry into the prestigous club tournament.