If the narrative is true that defence wins championships the Tridents are preparing themselves for a long playoff run.
While it’s still very early in the season, the Tridents have found an identity that draws a vastly different complexion to season’s prior. As recently as last season soccer beat writers were claiming Pacific FC were the most dangerous team in the CPL. In 2023, Pacific FC recorded 45 goals across 31 competitions, second behind only Cavalry FC. This season, the Tridents are on pace for 39 goals, which would finish tied for fourth in total goals a season prior. However, their record compared to the start of the 2023 season highlights the team’s overall improved play. The Tridents have 10 points in four league matches to open the 2024 season, compared to seven points in their 2023 campaign.
With the Tridents currently sitting tied for the top of the CPL table having yet to concede a goal, it’s the defence that has drawn praise among soccer faithful. Diving into the numbers it becomes clear the defences objective when limiting opposing attacks. Pacific’s defensive strategy has been to allow quantity, but restrict quality when it comes to opposing shots. They’ve given up 48 shots so far, which is fifth-most in the league, but have allowed an average of 0.081 expected goals per shot against, which is the best rate in the CPL and suggests they’re ensuring teams have to take low-quality shots from difficult positions, which makes life easier for our goalkeepers, Emil Gazdov and Sean Melvin, and generally prevents opponents from threatening consistently.
When teams do enter threatening positions, or find lanes through our defensive press, the Tridents have the skill players necessary to make timely plays. Pacific FC lead the CPL in clearances with 96 and tackles won with 50 across only four CPL matches. Thomas Meilleur-Giguère has worn the arm band for the Tridents on multiple occasions and headlines a stout backline with a league-high 19 clearances. The 23-year-old, Cédric Toussaint has elevated his game to the next level, winning a league-high 13 out of 15 attempted tackles, continuously hounding opposing forwards before they can enter the final third. The teams overall improved defensive play has resulted in three clean sheet for youngster, Emil Gazdov, as he continues to develop into one of the CPL’s best up and coming prospects. The talent on the pitch is evident and its reflected on the scoreboard after every PFC match.
It’s a new recipe for Trident fans to adjust to, but the results speak for themselves. “We know we want to win something this season, we want to be competitive and we want to be there in the end with Cavalry and Forge the way they finished the season last year, for us to miss out, we’ve thought a lot about some of the decisions we made along the way,” said Pacific FC head coach James Merriman. “We need to be more ruthless, we need to be more decisive in the moments.” If we want to compete in October and November this is the formula that will prevail when the lights are brightest.
After all, you can’t lose if you don’t get scored on!
Watch Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium as we put our CPL record to the test verse defending CPL champs, Forge FC on Saturday, May 11th. Kick off is set for 2pm!
Click here to grab your tickets today.