The Canadian Premier League's fifth matchweek concludes in Winnipeg on Saturday evening with a crucial clash between Valour FC and Vancouver FC.
The two sides are both searching for their first win of the 2025 season and will be desperate to find that on Saturday. Valour are coming off a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Halifax in their home opener, which came on a 90th-minute winner from Vitor Dias.
However, they did get their first home victory of last season against Vancouver FC, 2-0 in their 2024 home opener on June 2.
For Vancouver, their most recent win as a club came in Winnipeg against Valour back on August 25, 2024. They are unbeaten in their past two matches, but have twice given up leads in back-to-back 1-1 draws to Cavalry and then Pacific FC.
Matches between these sides in Winnipeg have generally been pretty cagey affairs -- in four matches at Princess Auto Stadium between the two sides, Valour have scored four goals, and Vancouver FC just three.
On an individual level, however, a few players, particularly on the Eagles, have an outstanding history against the opposition.
While Vancouver FC striker Alejandro Díaz is still looking for his first goal of the 2025 campaign, he has often found the back of the net against Valour. His 10 goals against the Winnipeg club are tied for the most any player has managed against a single club, and his 15 goal contributions versus (in 15 games no less) are also tied for the most by a player against a single CPL opponent.
The second-most goal contributions any player has managed against an opponent? His strike partner Terran Campbell against Valour, who has eight goals and six assists in 20 matches against the Winnipeggers. Campbell has been in good form of late, playing a part in all three goals the Eagles have scored this season with a goal and two assists.
Valour, meanwhile, will look to remain defensively solid at home, where they have conceded just 11 goals in their past 10 home matches dating back to last season.
The hosts, however, will be without key midfielder Dante Campbell, as well as Kian Williams, the latter of whom is still a few weeks away from returning.
Vancouver will be without defender Kunle Dada-Luke, who is suspended following a red card last week against Pacific FC. Central defender Allan Enyou, meanwhile, is back on the pitch and training with Vancouver FC, but still isn't quite ready to return to action on Saturday.
3 THINGS TO WATCH
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Can Valour find more boldness in the opposing box?: In their first three matches of the season, Valour feel they have done a really good job in the first two phases of their play. They are building out well from the back, and holding possession well in midfield. It is the final third, however, where they feel they need to be more connected. With a league-low just one goal through their first three matches, Valour did a good job in their most recent match against Valour of getting the ball into dangerous positions out wide, with 34 cross attempts. The only issue was that there wasn't nearly enough in the middle to make those opportunities count. On Saturday, can Valour find a way to get more numbers in the box and be more clinical with their chances?
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Vancouver add Aidan O'Connor on loan, looking to bolster their backline: As the 2025 season begins, Vancouver have been slowly adding to their ranks, and another key addition came this week in a loan deal from New York Red Bulls 2 for 23-year-old central defender Aidan O'Connor. The American defender was drafted 12th overall by the Red Bulls in 2024, and played two matches for their first team this past season. For Vancouver FC manager Afshin Ghotbi, not only will he bring more quality to their lineup, but make the competition for spots across the backline that much fiercer. "He brings a certain maturity for his age, he's massive," said Ghotbi. He's so strong in the air and so calm on the ball. I feel that he brings us, in an area of the team that we didn't have enough depth and quality -- I feel he brings that to the team. I feel he's going to make us much stronger."
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How do both sides manage minutes with big Canadian Championship games upcoming: While neither side on Saturday will be looking past the match by any means, both teams are aware that they have crucial matches coming up in the Canadian Championship midweek. Vancouver FC take on rivals Pacific FC on Tuesday at Starlight Stadium, looking for their first-ever Canadian Championship win. Valour, meanwhile, have a rematch against the TSS Rovers, who famously beat them during the 2023 competition to become the first semi-pro side to win a match in the tournament. Valour will be looking for revenge, and have a significant carrot as well with a victory in that match meaning a two-legged quarter-final against three-time defending champions the Vancouver Whitecaps. Expect full-strength squads from both sides, but also that they might manage minutes depending on how the circumstances play out.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Valour FC: Viscosi; Fernandez, Romeo, Facchineri, Antonoglou; Twardek, Ohin, Figueiredo, Faria; Morgan, Hundal
Vancouver FC: Irving; Gee, Campagna, Norman Jr., Bah; Fry, Batista, Fotsing; Campbell, Mezquida, Díaz
ALL-TIME SERIES
Valour FC wins: 2 || Vancouver FC wins: 3 || Draws: 3
Last meeting:
Oct. 13, 2024 — Vancouver FC 1-1 Valour FC
KEY QUOTES
"They're a good team, they're a team that has been very competitive in their recent matches. They're very tight, they're very competitive, they're hard to break down. You look at the players they have up front, they are players that have succeeded in this league.” — Valour FC manager Phil Dos Santos
"We've definitely changed our identity of how people view this club. We are a team that likes to be on the front foot and keep possession.” — Valour FC defender Rocco Romeo
"Every day we see different possibilities in this team, and I'm really excited about the future. And the goal is, how do we take this ship from this port to the other port -- and going through these ups and downs and manage the group in a way where we're able to collect points and grow as a team.” — Vancouver FC manager Afshin Ghotbi
"We have been improving, the players that [were here] for pre-season, but also international players are coming in. It's just a competition every day at every position. So you have to be there every day and show up every training to win your place in the starting eleven.” — Vancouver FC midfielder Emrick Fotsing
