Match Notes: PFC vs York United FC
Published on July 14, 2023 under Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Pacific FC News Release
It's already been a busy travel week for Pacific FC and it's only continuing on. After Tuesday's disappointing 2-1 loss to HFX Wanderers FC in Halifax, the Tridents now fly to Ontario to take on York United FC on Friday at 4:30pm PT. This is the stage of the season where games come thick and fast and maintaining the ridiculous pace set at the beginning of the season becomes a challenge.
Having said that, it's still been an underwhelming week for Pacific's players and supporters. Back-to-back losses (for the first time this season) have dampened the mood around the team but Friday's match represents a good opportunity to get back on track. Additionally, because of the fantastic start to the season, Pacific's spot at the top of the table remains intact and the chance to build on their lead is still there this weekend.
A good performance against York on Friday is crucial for the Tridents to begin their upward trajectory again as we enter the second half of the season. The losses may have put some perspective on the length of a full Canadian Premier League season, but it's important to remember Pacific is still top of the league with a game in hand on second place and is ready to get back to winning ways before returning home.
History
Having already played twice this season, recent history points to Pacific having the upper hand in this matchup. A 4-1 win for the Tridents at home on Mother's Day was followed by a 1-0 win at home on Mother's Day to open the season series in a positive fashion for Pacific. Now, the fixture heads to Ontario for the first of two matches in York - this Friday as well as Sunday, September 17th. Last season the Tridents took four points from a possible six in the two matches at York Lions Stadium, including a 4-2 win on July 15th - almost to the day on which the match will be played this season.
All-time, the head-to-head for these two stands at five wins for Pacific, five wins for York, six draws.
Quote
"We need to show we're top of the table for a reason. We need to show the desire again. It's been lacking the last couple of games and the results reflect that, so I think this is a very important game for us for where we're at overall." - Pacific FC head coach James Merriman
Keys to Victory
Looking back at those two previous matches this season, we can see a theme emerge. In both games, Pacific allowed York to have more possession (55% in the first meeting and 54% in the second), but were also able to create the better goalscoring opportunities (2.79 xG to 1.31 xG in the first, 1.98 xG to 0.71 xG in the second).
Most of the best attacking chances Pacific put together against York in both of those matches came from either 1) set pieces or 2) in transition. In regard to set pieces, Pacific scored two goals off corners - one in each match - with the goals coming from two different players. And in transition, you could reasonably classify Manny Aparicio's goal in the 4-1 victory as a transitional attacking moment, as well as multiple other chances that resulted in shots from good areas but not ultimately in goals.
Match Facts to Know
At the halfway point of the Canadian Premier League season, Pacific FC has accumulated 922 U-21 minutes (just under half of the 2,000 required). With Emil Gazdov, Eric Lajeunesse, Paul Amedume, and Abdul Binate qualifying for U-21 minutes, expect those four to continue to play meaningful minutes for the Tridents the rest of the season.
The next goal for Pacific FC's Easton Ongaro will be his 30th in Canadian Premier League history. He'll join former Pacific forward Terran Campbell as the only two players to break 30 career goals in the league so far.
Friday's match is the 125th match in all competitions in Pacific FC history.
Pacific FC acknowledges and honours the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish, specifically Xwsepsum (Esquimalt), Lekwungen (Songhees), Sc'ianew (Beecher Bay), and the WñSÁNEĆ Peoples represented by the Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum, and Malahat Nations.
Canadian Premier League Stories from July 14, 2023
- Match Notes: PFC vs York United FC - Pacific FC
- Cavalry FC Signs William Akio to 2023 Roster - Cavalry FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
