After a very successful three-match homestand to begin the season, the Tridents hit the road for a three-match road trip. First up is back-to-back matches in Alberta – FC Edmonton and then Cavalry FC, then a flight to the nation’s capital for a match against Atlético Ottawa.

The hosts for Pacific’s first of three road games is a plucky FC Edmonton team playing with little fear and plenty of intensity under head coach Alan Koch.

Trends and stats

Pacific FC is absolutely trending in the right direction. Three wins from three games has given Pacific a two-point lead at the top of the table, while Edmonton’s two draws to start the season have them second from bottom – above their Alberta rivals.

FC Edmonton showed a lot of spirit and willingness to dig deep in their opening two matches at home. In the opening match of the season, a last-second bicycle kick from Tobias Warschewski saved a point for the Eddies at death. And the second match saw another late equalizer from Edmonton, showing the never-say-die attitude instilled in the team.

Whereas Pacific’s start to the season has been mainly built around clinical play in the attacking third, Edmonton’s style of play revolves around defending deep as a unit and finding the opportunity to counter attack. This match should continue along those themes as Pacific looks to maintain their perfect start to the season.

History

In 11 previous meetings between these two we have an almost perfectly even matchup. There have been four wins a piece for Pacific and Edmonton along with three draws. If things go according to form this match should belong to Pacific but this match goes according to history this could be anyone’s game.

PFC Quote

“We’re still not satisfied with some of our moments in the game and with our performances. We want to be more consistent, and that’s something that we spoke about from last season. (We want) consistency in our approach and in our play, especially on the road. We want to become a team that has a consistent approach to every match, so when we do go on the road we can develop there as well. So this is the first opportunity of this season (to do that), and we’re looking forward to it.” – James Merriman (h/t CanPL.ca)

Players to Watch

Pacific – Alejandro Diaz; Edmonton – Tobias Warschewski

Alejandro Diaz picked up right where he left off last season. After finishing last campaign as the fourth highest goal-scorer in the league with 10 goals, Diaz already has three goals in three games to start 2022. While goal-scoring is what he does best, the Mexican striker’s hold-up play has improved every season he’s been on the Island and his movement off the ball is top-class. Don’t rule out Diaz becoming Pacific’s all-time top scorer by the end of the season.

After a slightly under-the-radar campaign where he finished with the most assists in the league for a struggling FC Edmonton team, Warschewski has stood out as a major part of Edmonton’s attack this season too. He’ll probably be forever remembered in this league for his last-second bicycle kick in Edmonton’s first match in 2022, but his all-around attacking instincts and ability to drive the team forward are vital to any offence the Eddies can put together this season.

The Story to This Point

Edmonton has probably already shown more fight and ability than anyone expected from them this season. They are plucky, well-drilled and ready to battle for head coach Alan Koch. They also have yet to lose at home through their two opening matches at Clarke Stadium against Valour FC and York United FC.

Pacific’s story has been almost all positive. Although they have gotten a perfect nine points from nine, James Merriman and his squad won’t be satisfied with the performance put in against HFX Wanderers FC on the weekend. The team has been scoring goals at a good rate but have conceded at least once per game, mostly from avoidable situations and looked passive at times against Halifax. Expect a hungry Pacific FC team to come out on Wednesday ready to make a statement to the rest of the league: even though we’re the league leaders, we want more.

Additionally, the Pacific squad has gelled really well to start the season with the new arrivals slotting in perfectly and every member ready to do his job when called upon.

Keys to Victory

Pacific is very likely going to dominate possession against Edmonton, but they’re going to have to break down a well-drilled and passionate defensive unit. Edmonton shouldn’t be underestimated, they’ve shown more through three games than anyone thought they would this season and won’t fold at home.

Picking the correct final ball to penetrate the Eddies’ defence will be on Marco Bustos and Manny Aparicio in particular. But with Pacific likely having a lot of forward pressure, the defence, including deeper-lying midfielders Matthew Baldisimo and Jamar Dixon, will need to be wary of an Edmonton counter attack with Warschewski and Julian Ulbricht.

News and Notes

Here’s what else you need to know before Saturday’s match:

• Manny Aparicio was named in the CanPL Team of the Week, making up for his shock omission last week
• Alejandro Diaz is tied for the CPL’s top goalscorer and is eight goals away from being the all-time leader for Pacific FC
• James Merriman still hasn’t lost as head coach/stand-in head coach for Pacific FC. Noting this stat began as somewhat of a joke, but the longer it goes on the more impressive it actually is.

Pacific FC v FC Edmonton by Jack Longo