Story of the Match

Pacific FC’s 2023 season came to a close on Saturday afternoon in Calgary as the Tridents fell just short against Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League playoff semi-final. Although Pacific fought valiantly until the final whistle, the home side came away with a 2-1 victory to end the Islanders’ chase for a second playoff final in three years.

The match itself saw the Tridents set up to frustrate the Cavs, playing with five at the back to start. It was ultimately the home side who opened the scoring, however, in the 27th minute off a corner. Cavalry would get another just after the halftime break in the 61st minute, but this time the Tridents responded almost immediately. In the 66th minute, the move began when Kekuta Manneh picked up possession just inside the Cavalry half. Pacific’s no. 34 proceeded to play a one-two with Adonijah Reid before bursting through a group of defenders and hammering the ball into the back of the net. From there, Pacific searched for a second goal which would’ve sent the match to extra time, but it wouldn’t come. There were stoppage time chances from Reid – who had already scored a crucial late goal in the first playoff match – and Aparicio who’s sliding effort somehow flew centimetres wide of the post.

In the end, it just wasn’t meant to be for the Tridents who, after a long six months of football, will carry many positives forward including the development of their younger players, reaching a third straight playoff semi-final, and the commitment the whole group showed right until the final whistle of the season, but won’t be satisfied with the season ending one match earlier than it could’ve. The club has built itself into one of the highest-performing teams in the league and has set a high standard from themselves after all the success and big game experience gained over the course of its first five years.

It’ll be an exciting off-season for Pacific who further laid solid foundations this year. Since the beginning of 2023, the club has gone through plenty of highs together, and will look to keep building as the preparations for 2024 already get started.

Scoring Summary

27’ – Cavalry FC – Daan Klomp

61’ – Cavalry FC – Ali Musse

66’ – Pacific FC – Kekuta Manneh

Statistics

Possession: PFC 49 % – CAV 51 %

Expected Goals: PFC 0.81 – CAV 2.74

Shots: PFC 11 – CAV 17

Shots on Target: PFC 5 – CAV 8

Saves: PFC 4 – CAV 4

Fouls: PFC 12 – CAV 12

Offsides: PFC 1 – CAV 1

Corners: PFC 3 – CAV 7

Cautions

8’ – Jesse Daley – Yellow

39’ – Charlie Trafford – Yellow

43’ – Josh Heard – Yellow

51’ – Sean Young – Yellow

86’ – Cédric Toussaint – Yellow

90+2’ – Ben Fisk – Yellow