Story of the Match
Pacific FC’s 2-1 victory over Valour FC on Saturday was the perfect way to kick off the Labour Day long weekend, and continue the Tridents push for a playoff spot and regular season championship. Thanks to that win, Pacific kept pace with Cavalry FC and pushed themselves out of the group of four teams tied on points heading into the matchweek.
The game began with a flurry of half-chances for Pacific as the team came out with a renewed sense of purpose going forward. With multiple players suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation or red card suspension, the Tridents came out in a new shape in possession and caused immediate problems for the visitors from Winnipeg. It was ultimately Adonijah Reid who opened the scoring in the 35th minute after Manny Aparicio played a brilliant ball through the static defence for Reid to run onto and flick past the goalkeeper. After going into the halftime break up 1-0, the Tridents continued to look untroubled until perhaps the only real attacking spell from Valour resulted in a gut-punch of a goal to level the match in the 77th minute. Pacific, however, did not shrink and came back just eight minutes later to find the winner through Ayman Sellouf and send the crowd into rapturous applause.
The mood around Starlight Stadium, as well as the PFC squad more specifically, was raised significantly after that victory. It goes to show the beauty that can be created between the team and the supporters when playing at home, something that will only happen a few more times this season. In the end, Pacific made this home match count and will be encouraged about the kind of damage they can do on the rest of the league during this final regular season push.
Looking Ahead
After returning to the win column on Saturday, the next match on the schedule provides the Tridents with another opportunity to continue their title chase in the comforts of Starlight Stadium. On Friday, HFX Wanderers FC comes to the Island for a meeting between two playoff and championship hopefuls. With only one more regular season home match remaining after that, it’s important to grab all three points in each of them this September.
It’s also Fan Appreciation Night presented by CIBC which will only add to the atmosphere. Special offers on merchandise, special PFC-themed beer, player trading cards thanks to Black Press Media, a full squad autograph signing session after the match, and more! Tickets for the game can be found here.
PFC Standout Player: Adonijah Reid
It was a welcome return to the scoresheet for Reid on Saturday, who now has four goals for the Tridents during his first season on the Island. His latest goal contribution helped open the scoring against Valour thanks to a perfectly-timed run and brilliant through ball from Manny Aparicio.
Reid’s acceleration and low centre of gravity make him one of the most difficult attacking players to track even in tight areas around the box. That was on full display on Saturday as the 24-year-old fluidly moved between the right inside channel and the centre-forward position in tandem with Josh Heard, allowing Pacific to dominate in that area of the pitch.
Statistically, Reid created three goal-scoring chances (the highest total in the match), and had the highest pass accuracy in the final third of any starters.
Scoring Summary
35’ – Pacific FC – Adonijah Reid
77’ – Valour FC – Matteo De Brienne
85’ – Pacific FC – Ayman Sellouf
Statistics
Possession: PFC 56 % – VAL 44 %
Expected Goals: PFC 1.79 – VAL 0.75
Shots: PFC 16 – VAL 5
Shots on Target: PFC 6 – VAL 3
Saves: PFC 2 – VAL 4
Fouls: PFC 13 – VAL 19
Offsides: PFC 3 – VAL 3
Corners: PFC 13 – VAL 3
Cautions
24’ – Marcello Polisi – Yellow
66’ – Guillaume Pianelli – Yellow
79’ – Dante Campbell– Yellow
83’ – Bradley Vliet – Yellow
90+2’ – Andy Baquero – Yellow
90+4’ – Ahinga Selemani – Yellow