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MATCH ANALYSIS: Disappointing result doesn’t detract from joyous Pride Match atmosphere

Final Score: Pacific FC 0-3 Valour FC
Goalscorers: Antonoglou 43′, Hundal 77′ (PK), Binaté 90+2′
Game of the 2024 season: 62
CPL match: 546


Story of the Match

It’s been an interesting journey at home this season for Pacific FC. Coming out of the gates strong going undefeated in their first four matches at Starlight Stadium, the Tridents have faltered recently losing three of their last four matches on the Island. With the season eclipsing the halfway mark and only six home matches remaining, there have been many highs and lows to date. This latest matchday was on one hand a wonderful occasion to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ in Victoria through the annual Pride Match, but the action on the pitch quite didn’t live up to the occasion.

Against Valour FC of Winnipeg on Sunday, Pacific came out of the gates flat falling behind early and despite efforts to get on the scoreboard late, ultimately lost 3-0 to a statistically inferior team. Looking back, it was as if the team was more scared of losing than eager to defend home turf and claim three points in front of PFC faithful. With three shots registered until the 61st minute it will be paramount to play with an urgency we haven’t seen from the team since their 2-1 CanChamp victory over first place Atletico Ottawa at the end of May.

As mentioned before, with only six home games remain, it’s crucial for the squad to make these matches count. The atmosphere on Sunday was top-class again thanks to the fans in stands, and we’ll see the performances on the pitch follow soon. It was ultimately a missed opportunity for the Tridents to solidify their spot in the CPL playoff picture after seeing interprovincial rivals, Vancouver FC, fail to register a point against Cavalry FC earlier in the week. The team has mourned the loss and has shown the ability to bounce back before; a crucial road victory over Atletico Ottawa has proven that. Consistently showing that level of determination and fight will be the deciding factor for the rest of the season.

“When we go down, it never looks like we’re ever out of the game,” Heard said afterwards. “And today, there were moments where we started to hang our heads, and we don’t have time for that. We can’t hang our heads, there are 13 games left, we’ve got everything to play for in front of us, and there’s no time to hang our heads, so we need to go back, regroup and attack the next week.”

Looking Ahead

Heading into August it feels like their biggest stretch of the season awaits, as they play three of their next four matches at home, while all five of their games are against the teams directly above them in the standings. They win a couple of those games, and they can vault right back into the mix, but a couple of losses could be lethal for their playoff hopes, pushing them further down the table.

Pacific will stay put for their next game, as they get set to host York United at Starlight Stadium on Friday, August 2nd (7:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. ET). Defeat a rising, second place York United squad and the narrative quickly changes. With even more at stake Trident fans will be leaned on even more to rally their team at a critical point in their season.