Pacific FC play host to Vancouver FC for the fourth and final Salish Sea Derby of the 2023 Canadian Premier League season on Saturday at 2pm. There’s been no shortage of drama, goals or storylines over the first three encounters during Vancouver’s inaugural campaign, and Saturday’s match promises to produce more of the same. Although Vancouver has already been eliminated from playoff contention, the Mainlanders have taken points off of teams in the playoff race over the last few weeks and made things even more interesting there.

For the Tridents, this derby represents a chance to bounce back in more ways than one. After dominating the first two meetings and controlling the game in the third before Vancouver came back to steal the three points, Pacific will feel they should have taken all nine points from this matchup this season, and will also be frustrated by the outcome of last weekend’s game in Hamilton against Forge FC. Combine the feelings left over from both of those results, and the Tridents will have heaps of motivation powering them forward on Saturday. Additionally, with a home playoff match now secured for Pacific, the last two weeks of the regular season are all about grabbing second place back from Forge and finishing in that all-important spot in the table.

More importantly, Saturday, September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, otherwise known as Orange Shirt Day. Just as we play every week on unceded territory, we play this match this weekend keeping in the mind the importance of Orange Shirt Day, and larger conversation around truth and reconciliation.

So remember to wear your orange shirt to the match on Saturday because, as the Orange Shirt Society website puts it, “by wearing an orange shirt on September 30th, you make a statement to support reconciliation and commit to the enduring truth that EVERY CHILD MATTERS.”

History

The CPL’s newest rivalry has wasted no time in becoming perhaps the most fiery in the entire league. It may only be the first season of this new derby between Pacific and Vancouver, but all three matches have been memorable and crazy in one way or another. The first match, and only other played at Starlight Stadium so far, ended in a 1-0 win for the Tridents thanks to a late strike from Manny Aparicio that silenced the travelling supporters. Then, at the next derby match in Langley, a 6-3 goal-fest that set the record for most goals scored in a single CPL match again ended in Pacific’s favour. Most recently, it was Vancouver’s turn to grab their first derby victory after coming from behind to steal a late winner in that match in mid-August.

Heading into the fourth and final Salish Sea Derby of its inaugural campaign, the all-time head to head stands at two wins for Pacific and one win for Vancouver.

Quote

“We can’t take them lightly, and we don’t. We respect everyone, but at the same time we have more to do. We’re not happy with our last result and we want to come out really strong here at home for our last regular season home match.” — Pacific FC head coach James Merriman

Keys to Victory

Vancouver has shown a new fighting spirit ever since the club was eliminated from playoff contention – which is in truth easier to do with the pressure off – but still, the Mainlanders have done well to pick up a few more victories recently.

Up front, Vancouver are able to create chances given the flexibility and fluidity of movement between their attacking unit made up of Alejandro Diaz, Gabriel Bitar, Mikaël Cantave, and Shaan Hundal. Given this, Pacific will have to set up their transition defence to cut out any counter-attacking moments. However, behind those attackers it becomes a bit more shaky for the visitors.

It’s in the middle of the park where Pacific should be able to control the game on Saturday. The Tridents have the more dynamic and resourceful midfield trio’s of the two teams, and are able to show different looks based on the three that line up together. Recently, with Cedric Toussaint suspended, it’s been Sean Young, Steffen Yeates, and Aparicio as the group. Those three have performed fantastically well together and could line up again, but now that Toussaint is eligible for selection again, Pacific has options with how they want to address the game in midfield.

Match Facts to Know

• Pacific FC is still in the hunt to record its highest-ever finish in the Canadian Premier League table. The Tridents’ current highest finish is third in 2021, and with two games remaining this season second place is still within reach.
• Pacific FC is closing in on the 25,000 minute mark for all-time U-21 minutes. Over the course of the club’s five year history, the Tridents have focused heavily on youth development – which is shown in the total number of U-21 minutes accumulated to date. Heading into Saturday’s match that number is at 24,525, which should see the club eclipse 25,000 early next season.
• This season’s Orange Shirt Day Match presented is partnership with Portofino Bakery who will be at Starlight Stadium to provide informational pamphlets about the history of the residential school system, and will be set up at the gates to hand out free Portofino products on exit after the match.