HAMILTON, Ontario – An early strike from Chris Nanco was enough to push Forge FC of Canada past Honduran giant Olimpia in the first leg of their 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 series on Thursday night at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.

Forge could not have asked for a better start as it took a 1-0 lead in the 4’ through Nanco, who fired a shot past Olimpia GK Edrick Menjivar.

The lead was almost doubled minutes later as Kyle Bekker ripped a shot that stung the post.

Olimpia looked to respond and was poised to pull level in the 23’ via penalty kick, only to see Forge GK Triston Henry save Ever Alvarado’s spot kick attempt.

That was then followed by a first half intervention from Henry that forced Junior Lacayo’s shot to glance off the post.

The 2017 SCL champion from Honduras came out for the second half in search of a goal, but was continuously turned away by a solid Forge defense, which saw things out to complete the clean sheet victory.