CPL Vancouver FC

VFC visits Starlight Stadium to face Pacific FC in CPL's first B.C. derby at 4 p.m. PT

Published on April 15, 2023 under Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Vancouver FC News Release


Langford, BC - Vancouver FC will today play the club's inaugural match in the Canadian Premier League (CPL), kicking off against west coast rival Pacific FC in the League's first B.C. derby. Here's all you need to know about the match, which kicks off at 4 p.m. PT in Langford:

MATCH STORY: Vancouver FC makes its Canadian Premier League debut in the League's first B.C. derby against west coast rival Pacific FC, becoming the CPL's first expansion side since Atlético Ottawa joined in 2020.

Saturday's match sees goalkeeper Callum Irving and right back Kadin Chung return to their former club. Each player previously played 57 matches for Pacific FC. Irving, VFC's first signing in club history, was announced as the club's first captain earlier this week.

Midfielder Elliot Simmons, who previously represented Cavalry FC and Halifax Wanderers FC, has the most CPL appearances against Pacific with nine past games. Defender Rocco Romeo played seven matches against Pacific as a Valour FC player, scoring two goals.

Saturday's match marks a CPL debut for VFC Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi. There are five league debutants in the starting XI: Ibrahim Bakare, Eugene "Pele" Martinez, Nima Moazeni Zadeh, Emmanuel Robe and Minjae Kwak. Substitutes Jeremy Zielinski, Gael Sandoval, Tyler Crawford, Nicky Gyimah, Ameer Kinani, Maël Henry and Anthony White will make their League debut if called upon later in the match on Saturday.

Today is the first of three matches in a week for Vancouver. The club next travels to York United FC for back-to-back matches, going head-to-head again on April 19 in the Canadian Championship and on April 22 in CPL action. Both matches will be played at York Lions Stadium.

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Canadian Premier League Stories from April 15, 2023


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