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(Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)
Match Report – Pacific FC v York United FC: Tridents push win streak up to three and remain unbeaten in seven matches
June 19, 2023
by
Jack Longo

Story of the Match

Pacific FC’s continued its three-match win streak (and seven match unbeaten run in Canadian Premier League action) on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over York United FC on Father’s Day. The Tridents are firing on all cylinders at the moment and have built up a strong lead at the top of the table thanks to some determined performances over the past few weeks.

Sunday’s match seemed to be playing out like many early-season matches did for Pacific this season: strong defensive work as a group, intelligent attacking ball and player movement, but the ball just wouldn’t find the back of the net. In the first half, the Tridents created the better chances between the two teams but went into the halftime break without the lead. However, this season’s team has the mental fortitude not to shrink when it seems as though the match won’t fall in their favour.

In the second half, Pacific kept the pressure on the visitors and after more half-chances just wouldn’t quite fall correctly, Sean Young came crashing in with a massive header in the 88th minute to win the game and send the crowd home happy on Father’s Day.

Tactics Talk

One of my favourite tactical wrinkles is when a team’s formation shifts between two or more different shapes depending on whether they are in or out of possession. On Sunday, it appeared as though James Merriman had his team set up in a 4-4-2 shape when out of possession, with Sean Young pushing forward to be part of the “2” with Adonijah Reid, and Steffen Yeates essentially lining up as the right-midfielder.

But when the Tridents gained possession the shape moved into a kind-of 3-4-3 with a diamond midfield. Bradley Vliet became part of the back three with the two centre-backs and Kunle Dada-Luke pushed high to become a pseudo-right-winger. Here, the midfield four included Cedric Toussaint as the deepest midfield, Manny Aparicio on the left and Yeates on the right of the diamond, and Young as the no. 10/second striker playing off of Reid.

The Tridents were able to flow seamlessly between the two shapes on Sunday – a sign of a well-drilled team.

Looking Ahead

It’s another quick turnaround for the Tridents as Valour FC comes to the Island on Wednesday. Valour has been a difficult team to figure out so far this season, with both impressive victories and disappointing losses sprinkled across their campaign. But a 2-0 victory over Forge FC on the weekend means the Winnipeg side comes into the match on a high note.

Notably, with just two days in between matches, the depth in the PFC squad will be tested again as there’s sure to be some rotation in the starting XI.

Favourite Photos

PFC Standout Player: Sean Young

Young added another Man of the Match performance to his tally for 2023 on Sunday. It’s been the overarching storyline this season for the Island’s club as the Victoria-born star cements his place as one of best players, if not the best player, in the CPL.

Against York, Young made the most crucial contribution of the match when his crashing header found the back of the net off of Vliet’s corner to give Pacific a 1-0 lead with just two minutes in the 90′ remaining. Aside from the goal – his second of the season – Young created two chances, had five touches inside York’s box, had the highest pass accuracy of any outfield players to play the whole match (92%), and made nine passes into the final third.

The Canadian Premier League’s Player of the Month for May shows no signs of slowing down.

Scoring Summary

88’ – Pacific FC – Sean Young

Statistics

Possession: PFC 45 % – YRK 55 %

Expected Goals: PFC 1.65 – YRK 0.83

Shots: PFC 13 – YRK 13

Shots on Target: PFC 6 – YRK 3

Saves: PFC 3 – YRK 5

Fouls: PFC 18 – YRK 12

Offsides: PFC 0 – YRK 0

Corners: PFC 4 – YRK 5

Cautions

40’ – Brem Soumaoro – Yellow

45+1’ – Mo Babouli – Yellow

50’ – Cédric Toussaint – Yellow

54’ – Thomas Meilleur-Giguère – Yellow

56’ – Manuel Aparicio – Yellow

56’ – Austin Ricci – Yellow

73’ – Paris Gee – Yellow

81’ – Djenairo Daniels – Yellow