Alejandro Diaz, who led Mexico in 2015 U-20 CONCACAF scoring before joining the nation鈥檚 most historic pro team Club America, was Pacific FC鈥檚 biggest off-season signing. The investment paid off as Diaz scored the winner, his first goal in Trident purple, at five minutes. The always-lurking veteran Victor Blasco scored at 83 minutes to add the insurance in a 2-0 Canadian Premier League victory by PFC against Valour FC.
It was the first victory for Vancouver Island-based PFC (1-1-2) in the tournament being played inside a 鈥渂ubble鈥� in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Goalkeeper Callum Irving, in his first start of the season for Pacific FC, recorded the clean sheet.
It was the first time PFC has opened scoring in the tournament. Diaz鈥檚 early goal had the effect of opening up play 鈥� PFC had eight shots on target to Valour鈥檚 seven 鈥� as the Manitoba side was on the back foot early and knew it needed to find a response to Diaz鈥檚 quick goal. Irving and the PFC defence, however, was having none of it.
It was a personally notable night for PFC鈥檚 Marco Bustos, the sa国际传媒-capped striker, who scored seven goals last year for his hometown Valour FC side.
Valour FC is named after a street in Winnipeg, which was renamed Valour in honour of three Victoria Cross recipients in WWI who hailed from it. The Manitoba club is 1-2-1.
It was an emotional day for PFC. Before the game, Pacific head coach Pa-Modou Kah issued an impassioned video plea on OneSoccer for racial equality.
鈥淭ake it to heart. I am standing in front of you as manager of Pacific FC. But my heart is bleeding because my people are suffering,鈥� said Kah, who is Black.
鈥淚f you care about me, care about my people. Stand up for what is right. Deep down in your heart and your soul, you know what is going on around the world is wrong. Don鈥檛 be silent. We need the movement to continue. We need this change. It鈥檚 2020. Educate yourself. Love each other. Treat each other with respect and stand up for what is right. Be the voice for the young generation coming up. You鈥檙e part of the change. Don鈥檛 go quiet. In every city you are in, jell together, and be as one. Because we鈥檙e all humans. People鈥檚 lives matter. Black lives matter.鈥�
Soccer supporter groups, meanwhile, are unmatched in their unyielding passion for their clubs, win or lose. CPL supporters groups are following their teams in various fashions across the country. Pacific FC next plays Sunday at 9 a.m. PDT against 2019 league runner-up Cavalry FC of Calgary and sa国际传媒-capped former PFC striker Marcus Haber. There will be a socially-distanced brunch and viewing event at the PFC indoor Island Training Centre in Langford. Tickets are through [email protected].
