Pacific FC coach Pa-Modou Kah warned about poking the bear and he was right.
Two-time defending Canadian Premier League champion Forge FC lost its first two games of the season, and had yet to score, but responded in its third outing by exploding for three second-half goals in a 3-0 victory over Island-based PFC on Sunday in the bubble at IG Stadium in Winnipeg.
鈥淲hen you are a champion, you are a champion for a reason,鈥� Kah noted about Forge, before the game.
鈥淎 champion is a champion. Seven other teams want what Forge had the last two years. If you let a champion get in the groove, it can be a long game.鈥�
It turned out to be just that for PFC, especially in the a head-spinning 10-minute span as Molham Babouli scored for Forge at 70 minutes, Chris Nanco at 75 minutes and Tristan Borges at 80 minutes on a penalty as Forge ended its goals drought in rapid-fire succession. It was always only going to be a matter of time. Forge FC is an experienced club that made a deep foray into the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF League playdowns last year and knocked on the door of the CONCACAF Champions League.
PFC missed chances to take the lead earlier in the second half when an unmarked Alejandro Diaz missed the net from a wide open position in front.
鈥淗e had to take it to his left foot but nine out of 10 times, he will score on that,鈥� said Kah.
PFC then hit the post from well out at 68 minutes.
鈥淲e had the opportunity to go up 1-0 [on Diaz鈥檚 open attempt] and even 2-0 on the shot that found the post. But that鈥檚 part of football,鈥� said Kah.
鈥淵ou take games like this as a learning point. We regroup and we go again. Simple. It was only the third game of the season. We have 25 second chances left. No worries. I鈥檓 proud of the way our guys played.鈥�
Two minutes after PFC rattled the post, Forge FC began its 10-minute scoring tirade.
PFC (1-1-1) meets Atletico Ottawa (1-2) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. PT.
Each team is playing its first eight games of the season in the CPL bubble in Winnipeg. The plan is for each to play its final 20 games in a normal format with fans back in their regular stadiums.
