CONCACAF Champions Cup: Dimitry Bertaud with MOTM debut for Forge FC against Mexican powerhouse

Only two days after signing with Canadian Premier League club Forge FC, DR Congo international goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud made an instant impact on his debut in a 0-0 first leg draw against Liga MX titans Tigres UANL in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The French-born DR Congo national team keeper adapted brilliantly to his new surroundings with a Man of the Match performance against the 8-time Mexican club champions and 2020 FIFA Club World Cup finalists. In frigid conditions that went below -10° C at Tim Hortons Field, Bertaud made seven saves against the heavy favorites from Monterrey in Hamilton, Ontario.

That’s how you make a first impression👏

Thoughts on that half from new @ForgeFCHamilton goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud?

pic.twitter.com/E02AQKVtV3

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) February 4, 2026

All of the circumstances were working against the Canadian club, who are still in their preseason while Tigres arrived in Canada having already played four Liga MX matches to kick off the second half (Clausura) of their 2025-26 campaign.

While overmatched by the technical prowess of a squad that featured several internationals as well as former France national team forward André-Pierre Gignac, Forge put in a strong defensive effort and created a few opportunities. However, an impressive performance from the goalkeeper is needed to have any hope of an upset and Bertaud made multiple reaction saves to provide stability in the back.

But the true challenge lies ahead for the keeper and his team next week in the second leg. The Estadio Universitario, also known as El Volcán (The Volcano) will be an intimidating venue for the club that finished top of the Canadian Premier League’s regular season table last season.

Mexican clubs have won 19 of the last 20 editions of North America’s premier club competition. On the other hand, in the brief history of the Canadian top flight, none of the league’s clubs have ever progressed beyond the first round.

Bertaud is on his first spell abroad with Forge FC after leaving hometown club Montpellier following an almost 15-year spell.

Locked in between the sticks 🔒

We’ve signed 🇨🇩 Goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud.

🗞️ | https://t.co/lwuyFFs5YD pic.twitter.com/9bKrQ4Gize

— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) February 1, 2026

He featured mostly with the club’s reserve team in the lower tiers of French club football while serving as a backup and cup goalkeeper, making 49 total appearances and 32 Ligue 1 appearances over eight-and-a-half seasons.

Born to a French father and Congolese mother, he represented France up to the U-21 level before switching his allegiance. He has made 15 appearances for the Leopards and was coach Sébastien Desabre’s number one choice during DR Congo’s successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

However, he was dropped from the squad during 2026 World Cup qualifying and was not called into the squad for the recently completed 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco. After serving as the backup at the 2023 AFCON, he did get a chance to feature in the third place match where the Leopards fell to South Africa in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw.