Forge FC captain Kyle Bekker has been named Canadian Premier League player of the year.

The football club is now one win away from qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League, the confederation's top club competition.

Substitute Anthony Novak's 83rd-minute goal proved to be the difference for the Canadian Premier League champions.

Should Forge win Thursday, it will go directly to Panama for a Nov. 3 round-of-16 date.

The Canadian Premier League champions will begin on the road against CD Municipal Limeno in October.

Mo Babouli's highlight-reel goal lifted Forge FC to a 1-0 victory over Cavalry FC on Tuesday, eliminating the Calgary-based team and locking in the two finalists.

Forge FC, which qualified by virtue of being the inaugural Canadian Premier League champion, will enter in the preliminary round.

Valour FC is en route back to Winnipeg after being eliminated for the Canadian Premier League's P.E.I. bubble.

The Canadian Premier League's Island Games kicked off with a bang Thursday with a controversial stoppage-time penalty giving Cavalry FC a 2-2 tie with defending CPL champion Forge FC.

The island is set to host a shortened season of the Canadian Premier League starting Aug. 13.