Vancouver FC announced on Wednesday, July 23 that the club is parting ways with Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi . The decision follows Saturday’s tough loss at York Lions Stadium, where the team fell to a playoff rival after a run of improved play over the previous two matches. As a result, York extended their lead over Vancouver, leaving the Eagles at the bottom of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) standings notwithstanding the potential they have been showing in Telus Canadian Championship play.
Ghotbi was Vancouver FC’s first-ever head coach, taking on the challenge of building a team from the ground up. The mission, which he enthusiatically embraced, was clear: to grow the game in the Lower Mainland, give young players a pathway to professional soccer, and establish a competitive identity for the fledgling club.
Over two full seasons and 17 matches into the 2025 campaign, Afshin Ghotbi departed Vancouver FC with a 16-18-37 record in league play. Despite a recent stretch of improved performances, the team struggled to turn effort into results, managing just one win in their last fifteen matches. Home-field advantage also proved elusive. Vancouver’s last home victory came nearly a year ago, in August 2024, when they edged out Salish Sea rivals Pacific FC.
In spite of recent struggles, he helped lead Vancouver FC to one of its most significant achievements to date: an historic run in the 2025 TELUS Canadian Championship. This season, the Eagles secured dramatic penalty shootout victories over BC rivals Pacific FC and Western foes Cavalry FC, earning a first-ever berth in the tournament's semi-finals. Vancouver will face league leaders Atlético Ottawa in a home-and-away series, with the first leg scheduled for August 13 at Willoughby Stadium.
The club thanks Ghotbi for his contributions and commitement to growing the club in its early years, and wishes them the very best in the next stages of his career.
OnbehalfofeveryoneatVancouverFC,wewouldliketoextendoursinceregratitudetoAfshinforthecommitmentheshowedtoourorganization.”Rob Friend, President and CEO, Vancouver FC
As the second half of the 2025 Canadian Premier League season gets underway, Vancouver FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Nash as interim head coach and head of the club's academy program. Nash will be on the sidelines for Friday’s pivotal home match against Valour FC, as the club begins its search for a permanent replacement.
Having grown up on Vancouver Island and started his playing career with the Vancouver 86ers in 1995 before playing in a number of other markets, Martin Nash and his family have called Vancouver home since 2004. Vancouver FC is excited to have a true builder of the game in B.C. and beyond like Nash, join its ranks to help grow the club and enjoy success both on and off the field.
“WearepleasedtoappointMartintoleadourgroupbothasinterimheadcoachandheadofouracademy.Thisisanopportunitytoreset,refocusandalignourorganizationfromtoptobottomasweaimtoputinstrongperformancesoverthesecondhalfoftheyear.Welookforwardtobuildingmomentumandfinishingtheseasononahighnote.”Rob Friend, President and CEO, Vancouver FC
Nash most recently served as head coach of York United, taking over in December 2021 in his first lead coaching role after previously working as an assistant at Cavalry FC. Over two full seasons and six games into the 2024 campaign, he compiled a 22-13-27 record in league play, making him the most successful coach in York’s history to date.
In 2022, he guided York to a memorable Canadian Championship run, reaching the semifinals with dramatic penalty shootout victories over Atlético Ottawa and Pacific FC, before falling to the Vancouver Whitecaps.