For the fifth and final time this year, Pacific FC and Vancouver FC will do battle, as they get set for a Canadian Premier League matchup on Saturday.
Unlike their four previous meetings, however, this game will be held at a new location, with Pacific set to host this match at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park, instead of their usual home pitch, Langford’s Starlight Stadium.
That’s important to note, as this game will offer Pacific a chance to engage with a new audience, as they will take the field in front of a sold-out crowd in downtown Victoria for this match.
Combined with the fact that this is also a derby match, with games between these two teams usually delivering in terms of drama and entertainment, and it certainly should be a matchup worth watching.
Plus, to stick with Pacific, this is a massive game for them, too, as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive. They won’t have to worry about elimination this weekend, as they sit 12 points behind fifth-place York United with six games left to play, but their playoff hopes could be on life support if they lose, especially if York and the fourth-place Halifax Wanderers (who are tied with York in the standings) also pick up victories this weekend - that could potentially widen the gap between them and Pacific to 15 points.
Because of that, Pacific will understand how big an opportunity this will be for them, as they take on a Vancouver side that sits at the bottom of the table.
Pacific’s first home game since August 16th, as they’ve dealt with a tough run of away games in recent weeks, these are the sort of matches that they need to win, and they’ll know that.
“With how our derby matches have gone this year already between us in Vancouver, you’ve seen very tight games, high-energy games, different moments, swings of momentum,” Pacific FC head coach, James Merriman, said this week. “So this game is gonna be like that, it’ll live up to the expectations.”
As for Vancouver, though, they’ll just be happy to play spoiler heading into this one.
Even though they sit at the bottom of the table, and are fresh off becoming the first team in the CPL to be eliminated from playoff contention after a 5-2 loss to Valour last weekend, they’ve still got plenty to play for.
Of course, in a rivalry matchup like this, motivation should be no problem for them - especially given their good record in this derby - and that should be doubly as true on a day where Pacific will be hoping to throw a party in front of a new crowd, as Vancouver will want nothing more than to spoil this occasion.
At the same time, with a huge game looming in a few days, as Vancouver gets set to take on Atlético Ottawa in the second leg of the Canadian Championship semi-final in Ottawa next Thursday, Vancouver will want to improve their form ahead of that match, too.
Having lost five straight matches in CPL play, they certainly haven’t been on the greatest of runs at the moment, something they’d love to change ahead of such a big cup matchup - but picking up a big derby win would be a great way to make up for that recent run of results.
“Our job is to play spoilers and see if we can be a nuisance for other teams,” Vancouver FC interim head coach, Martin Nash, said this week. “This group still has to grow, guys have to improve and get better, so they all should be fighting for something.”
In terms of player availability, Pacific look set to be without midfielder Lukas Browning Lagerfeldt after he exited their last match with an injury, although they had no other news updates to note in their pre-match availability. Meanwhile, Vancouver also issued no new updates on their squad ahead of this match, although it’s worth noting that David Norman Jr. is unavailable for this match due to yellow card accumulation.
3 THINGS TO WATCH
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Can both teams put a bow on another entertaining slate of derby matches? While this Salish Sea Derby might not have the history of other rivalries across the CPL, it can certainly count itself among the league’s most entertaining, as they usually tend to trade goals whenever they meet. That, of course, was manifested the last time these teams played on Vancouver Island, as they traded blows in a 4-4 thriller at Starlight Stadium on June 27th. Yet, that’s been the theme of this matchup as a whole - they’ve combined for 45 goals in 12 all-time meetings, an average of 3.75 per game - especially as of late, with no team keeping a clean sheet in matches between the two this season. Because of that, don’t be surprised if the crowd at Royal Athletic Park is treated to an entertaining spectacle. It feels like Vancouver will come out swinging, as they have in recent matches - there have been a combined 30 goals in their last six matches in all competitions - and with Pacific having nothing to lose, they’ll have no choice but to match that energy. Therefore, while this derby looks set to hit a new venue, expect it to build off the drama shown in the first 12 installments heading into this 13th matchup.
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Will Pacific use crowd to find crucial home win? Of course, for Pacific, a big factor to consider will be the impact this crowd has on them, as they look to capitalize on what’s expected to be a great atmosphere. For a team that will always have a natural home advantage due to their geographical location, this is the one matchup where that factor doesn’t play as big a role, with Vancouver’s limited travel, so any advantage, such as the crowd, can be doubly as important for them. Especially for a Pacific team that hasn’t been as good at home as they’d like this year, sitting seventh in the league with 14 points from their 11 home games in CPL play, this will be a good chance for them to kick off their first of three remaining home games on a high note. Because of that, look for them to feed off this crowd early. For example, having a strong start could be a big advantage for them, given that they haven’t always done the greatest job at scoring the opening goals in matches, showing why it’ll almost be doubly as important that they come out of the gates strongly and nab an early tally in this one
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Vancouver looking to tighten things up at the back: Heading into this match, Vancouver will have one big goal, as they’ve continued to struggle defensively this season, sitting with 51 goals conceded in 22 games, an average of 2.31 per match. In particular, this last stretch has been tough for Vancouver, as they’ve conceded five goals twice and three goals three times across their last seven league matches. A stretch over which they’ve also scored 12 goals, which is nearly half of their season total of 26, it’s denied them the opportunity to turn their newfound scoring into wins, which is why they’ve picked up just three points across those seven matches. Granted, that’s been the story of their season, as they’ve won just once in their last 17 league matches, sitting with a record of 1W-3D-13L across that span. Ultimately, as the saying goes, the table doesn’t lie, showing why they’re nine points adrift in last place, but that shows why they’ll still have a lot to play for in this stretch. While they feel this season isn’t a fair reflection of how they’ve played and what they’re capable of, the best way to prove that will be to finish the campaign strongly, giving them a bit of momentum for next year. Plus, that’s where the Canadian Championship also plays a big role, as beating an Ottawa side that’s currently battling for the CPL Shield to reach the final would be another great way to show that they’ve been better than their record indicates.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Pacific FC: Melvin: Chung, Baldisimo, Ndom, Mukumbilwa; Young, Daniels; Bustos, Toualy, Zanatta; Díaz
Vancouver FC: Irving; Dada-Luke, O'Connor, Campagna, Enyou; Fry, Cavalcante; Campbell, Mezquida, Bah; Mbongue
ALL-TIME SERIES
Pacific FC wins: 4 || Vancouver FC wins: 6 || Draws: 2
Last meeting:
August 10, 2025 — Vancouver FC 2-3 Pacific FC
KEY QUOTES
“These are the best games, these are the games that players want to play (...) When there are 5000 people, you can feel the energy building, and the support that gives the players. It gives the players energy, motivation, and swings momentum in a game. That’s what the players want.” – Pacific FC head coach James Merriman
“It's gonna be super special. I'm always grateful every time I get to step on the field here in Victoria in front of friends and family, and play this game. It’s the same at Starlight Stadium, and it's gonna be the same here as well. This game is gonna be fun - (the crowd) will be electric.” – Pacific FC forward Josh Heard
“It's a great opportunity for us to play in front of a big crowd, and it’ll be fun for me to go back to my hometown and to a stadium I’ve been to many times, so this will be a good one, it’ll be fun” – Vancouver FC interim head coach Martin Nash
“It’s very exciting that it’s a sold-out match for a derby; it just gives you more to play for. But more than that, you just want to play for the badge, for the team, for the club - for everybody. As a player, that’s exciting, so I’m ready to go out there.” – Vancouver FC midfielder Emrick Fotsing
