The Canadian Premier League announced this week its Player and Manager of the Month awards for May, with Pacific FC midfielder Sean Young taking home Player of the Month and Pacific FC Head Coach James Merriman earning Manager of the Month honours. The two Vancouver Island-born award winners represent the incredible growth soccer on the Island has experienced in recent years.
On the field, Young has been the catalyst for much of Pacific’s attacking firepower. With two goals and three assists in four CPL matches in May, the 22-year-old continued his brilliant upward trajectory this season. Young even donned the captain’s armband for the first time in his career during the Tridents’ 1-1 draw away to Valour FC, highlighting the respect he has earned amongst the coaches and his teammates.
Young also showcased the growth in the defensive side of his game during the month of May, often ranking highly in most defensive statistical categories each game. Notably, his ability to win possession in the final third and maintain pressure on the opposition’s backline was crucial to Pacific going undefeated in league play during the month.
The former Bays United and Van Isle Wave player has already broken his highest single season total for both goals and assists in just eight CPL matches this season.
GOAL 🔱@Pacificfccpl get the scoring started vs. @ValourFootball as Sean Young hammers his finish into the back of the net 🚀#CanPL | 🔴 https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/h7nJLeXLap
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) May 20, 2023
Leading the team from the sideline, Merriman guided the Tridents to an undefeated month in league play. Starting off May with two straight 4-1 victories announced the true arrival of Pacific FC in 2023, after spending April feeling out the growing pains of a lot of new arrivals. Merriman ended the month having led Pacific to three wins and one draw in four CPL matches while scoring 10 goals and conceding only four.
Merriman’s tactical set up and man management style provided the platform for the Tridents to produce free-flowing football going forward and stay resolute at the back, all while utilizing the exceptional depth the team accumulated in the offseason.
GOAL 🔱🔱🔱🔱
Easton Ongaro scores his first goal for @Pacificfccpl to make it 4-1 over @yorkutdfc
Pacific are scoring for fun these past two matches!
🔴 #CanPL | https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/vllZVbkaGX
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) May 15, 2023
The Tridents finished the month second in the Canadian Premier League table with 12 points.