2025 CPL Regular Season — Match #109
Pacific FC vs. Valour FC
October 18 at 1 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. CT
Starlight Stadium in Langford, British Columbia
Live: OneSoccer // Tickets available here
It's safe to say neither Pacific FC or Valour FC will be satisfied with their lot in life as they prepare to square off in their last match of the regular season on Saturday at Starlight Stadium. While supporters around the league prepare for The Outcome, which will see the CPL Shield winner crowned, not to mention home advantages decided for clubs in the playoffs, Pacific and Valour will be playing for pride as both were eliminated some weeks ago.
Pacific's season, of course, has not gone to plan. They are limping into the weekend following a blown 2-0 lead versus York United FC, allowing the Ontario-based club to claw back a draw despite a strong start from the Tridents. A win — which would be a fantastic parting gift to their fans at Starlight — would be their first since Aug. 10, when they beat Vancouver FC 3-2. They've drawn three of their last five but, as has been a common problem this season, have conceded 13 goals over that span, including in 4-0 and 3-0 blowouts versus Forge FC and the Halifax Wanderers respectively. Only Valour has conceded more than Pacific's 55 goals.
Missing out on the postseason is not the norm for the 2021 CPL champions; they've qualified for playoff football in five out of their seven seasons. But, as illustrated by their leaky defence, they've struggled with injuries and absences as both Ronan Kratt and Juan Quintana were knocked out for the season only five matches into the campaign. Defender Pedro Machado also departed the club, with U SPORTS players Fin Tugwell and Eric Lajeunesse returning to school. But that doesn't mean head coach James Merriman or his players have packed it in; look for the purple-clad side to come out strong as they look to finish on a high with a win to secure a sixth-place finish.
"The most important thing is we finish strong, we finish with pride and we finish for ourselves and also, of course, there's going to be a lot of fans there tomorrow and we need to do them proud," Pacific captain Josh Heard said on Friday. "We're lucky to play this game. We should be grateful. So, it's like, let's just try and find some joy in it and end on a high note."
Should Valour win, however, it would propel them beyond Pacific for the club's highest finish since 2022. They enter the final weekend of the regular season following a disappointing result against the Wanderers. It was a match where they owned the ball, dominating possession, but head coach Phil Dos Santos' side struggled to break down Halifax's low block. Ultimately, their inability to capitalize on their chances was their undoing as the Wanderers made the most of their opportunities to win 3-0.
"I think that we weren't effective," said Dos Santos post-match. "I can't fault the guys for effort. I think to say the best team won, I don't think it's the case today. I think the team who capitalized the best and was able to take their chances ended up winning the game."
Valour will look to be more effective on Saturday as they also look to close out 2025 with a victory. They played some decent football down the stretch, highlighted by a 5-2 victory over Vancouver FC and a 2-1 nail-biter versus Forge, but fell short of their goal of qualifying for the playoffs, a feat which continues to elude the club.
Pride, and setting the tone for the season to come as players jostle for jobs, are on the line for both clubs.
3 THINGS TO WATCH
- Pacific look to finish strong at home: It's been a nightmare season in many ways for Pacific, with injuries, poor performances and a number of external frustrating circumstances. However, on Saturday, they'll have a chance to begin to re-write their story with a strong finish at home at Starlight Stadium in front of their fans. Merriman's side have been middling at best on Vancouver Island with a record of 4W-5L-4D but have had some memorable performances there this year, whether it be the wild 4-4 draw with Vancouver FC or Yann Toualy's hattrick against the Wanderers. A win on Saturday is exactly the type of parting gift Pacific fans would welcome.
- The last of Emil Gazdov in the CPL?: It was a surprise when Gazdov, whom Pacific had sold to CF Montréal in the off-season, made his return to the CPL in August. What made the move interesting was the fact that the 22-year old 'keeper, who had won Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024, landed in Winnipeg, where he immediately took on the mantle of starter. Gazdov's played six matches so far for Valour but has been nursing an injury and missed his club's last home contest at Princess Auto Stadium. Dos Santos confirmed on Friday that the MLS loanee would suit up versus Pacific, a fitting end to his time in the CPL — should it be his last match given his history on Vancouver Island.
- The battle for sixth place: Although both clubs have been eliminated from the playoffs and haven't had the years they would've hoped, it's fair to say Pacific and Valour will still be looking to finish as high as possible on the table. For Pacific, it's a point of pride for the former champions as they've only missed the post-season twice and will want to finish on strong footing. Valour, meanwhile, had the misfortune of getting the wooden spoon in 2023 and 2024 and will aim for their highest finish since 2022, which saw them end at fifth in the table. A win for either side would bump them up to sixth place.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Pacific FC: Melvin; Mukumbilwa, Baldisimo, Ndom, Greco-Taylor; Young, Juhmi, Daniels; Bustos, Díaz, Zanatta
Valour FC: Gazdov; Alarcón, Konincks, Facchineri, Antonoglou; Ohin; Twardek, Froese, Ressurreição, Faria; Morgan
ALL-TIME SERIES
Pacific FC wins: 17 | Valour FC wins: 4 | Draws: 5
LAST METTING
Aug. 31, 2025 — Valour FC 1-1 Pacific FC
KEY QUOTES
"Yes, we're frustrated, yes, we're disappointed but we're going to go, we're going to put everything into the game, put everything into the match and really try to put on a good performance at home, finish with a positive result and be able to celebrate something with our fans and build something into the off-season" - Pacific FC head coach James Merriman
"We're feeling like we're going to play a match, and once you get in a position like the one we got into, we're trying to secure the highest possible position in the standings. We owe it to ourselves. We're prideful people and that's how we're heading into the game" - Valour FC head coach Phil Dos Santos