Story of the Match

In all honesty, we could’ve and should’ve smashed them. Pacific FC completely outplayed Cavalry FC on Sunday, but the second goal just wouldn’t come.

At no point were the visitors looking like the better team on the day, including when they went ahead inside 10 minutes. The Tridents simply continued to play on the front foot after going behind and were rewarded when the ball finally found the back of the net just before halftime.

The second half was more of the same from both teams: Pacific creating chances and the ball just not falling their way, and Cavalry sitting back defending the 1-1 draw.

It wasn’t for a lack of trying for the Tridents, and the positive sign is the sheer volume of chances created. Those will turn into goals once everyone has gotten a few more matches under their belt together and hit full stride. For now, this match will be seen as a frustrating draw, but long term the Tridents are trending in the right direction.

Tactics Talk

With a few players rotated in after the mid-week fixture, it was the first time Pacific lined up with two natural wingers. Djenairo Daniels has been playing as the left-winger to start the first two matches of the season, but has spent most of his time with the Tridents as a centre-forward. Ayman Sellouf, who was called on from the start in this one, made the most of his opportunity on the left wing. Another change was the use of Adonijah Reid through the middle in place of Easton Ongaro. The two players could not be more different in how they operate on the field, which created a new form of attack for Pacific. With Reid in the lineup, the attack revolved more around interplay, fluidity between the three attacker, and cut-backs in the box, and less about sending high crosses into the box. As seen by the illustration below.

Looking Ahead

Next up for the Tridents, a visit from Forge FC on Sunday the 30th. Pacific will be annoyed at not to be on six points after two games played, but a chance to bounce back against last season’s CPL Championship winners will be circled from the moment this match finished.

After beating Forge in 2022’s season opener at Starlight Stadium, Pacific will be looking to remind everyone that they are the only team aside from the Hamilton-based side to have won the North Star Shield with another statement victory in this rivalry.

Favourite Moment

Kekuta Manneh’s debut was long-anticipated and fun to finally see. Seeing the former Vancouver Whitecaps phenom back in BC is awesome, and seeing him in Pacific FC colours is even better. With the emergence of Sellouf and Reid, Manneh can still be eased into the lineup before being called upon to play a full 90 minutes. For now, the winger’s presence on the left wing for the final stages of Sunday’s match is a sign of the incredible depth in the PFC squad this season.

Favourite Photo

PFC Standout Player: Ayman Sellouf

Sellouf made his first start for Pacific in this match and was an immediate impact player for the Tridents. Electric with the ball at his feet, and incredibly two-footed, Sellouf has the ability to change a game in an instant. His goal on Sunday, on his left foot, came off the second phase of a free kick he delivered and showed his instincts inside the box.

Statistically, Sellouf had 10 touches and three shots inside the Cavalry box – showing the pressure he puts on opposition defenders, as well as 19 passes into the final third, three chances created, and six successful dribbles – all of which were the highest in the match.

With Daniels earning the first two starts of the season on the left wing, and making his presence known high up the pitch in tandem with Ongaro, it’ll be interesting to see who James Merriman picks against Forge next Sunday. It’s a good problem for a head coach to have when all your attackers show positive signs early in the season.

Scoring Summary

9’ – Cavalry FC – Emil Gazdov (OG)

42’ – Pacific FC – Ayman Sellouf

Statistics

Possession: PFC 56 % – CAV 44 %

Shots: PFC 20 – CAV 6

Shots on Target: PFC 6 – CAV 0

Saves: PFC 0 – CAV 5

Fouls: PFC 9 – CAV 19

Offsides: PFC 1 – CAV 1

Corners: PFC 9 – CAV 5

Cautions

19’ – Cedric Toussaint – Yellow

28’ – Sean Young – Yellow

35’ – Jesse Daley – Yellow

40’ – Goteh Ntignee – Yellow

90+5’ – Fraser Aird – Yellow