There is a flicker of brightness to Pacific FC鈥檚 injury-stricken soccer season in the Canadian Premier League.
Forward Marcus Haber鈥檚 return to the roster couldn鈥檛 come at a more opportune time, especially with five-goal forward Victor Blasco likely out with a foot injury.
From capital city to capital city, PFC meets FC Edmonton today at Clarke Stadium, with 27-time sa国际传媒 capped Haber drawing back in after seven weeks sidelined an injured right knee.
鈥淚 did a lot of hard work to get back, with a lot of credit going to Randy Celebrini [PFC鈥檚 director of sports science],鈥 said Haber.
Haber said it was a field-impact injury, not through a player collision, which occurred during a game on June 20.
鈥淭he knee feels strong and stable,鈥 said the 30-year-old, who has missed nine games this season.
But injuries take more than just a physical toll.
鈥淵ou have to be mentally strong as well when you are out so long,鈥 said Haber, who has two goals in eight games played for PFC.
The return of the six-foot-four former Scottish Premiership pro again gives PFC that imposing figure in the opposition box.
鈥淢arcus provides us with a big target and he has worked hard to get back to health and into the lineup,鈥 said Pacific FC head coach Michael Silberbauer.
Haber and 56-time sa国际传媒 capped former Bundesliga and MLS pro Marcel de Jong were signed as veteran influences to stabilize a young PFC roster. Yet, not only has Haber spent more than half the season on the bench due to injury, but de Jong went down in training camp with a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon.
Haber said he takes his mentorship role seriously and it didn鈥檛 stop just because he鈥檚 been injured.
鈥淚鈥檝e been able to see a lot more from the sidelines and I鈥檝e been speaking to our younger players,鈥 he said.
Haber鈥檚 forte is offence, something that has not been an issue for PFC with breakout 20-year-old striker Terran Campbell on seven goals, and tied atop the CPL Golden Boot goals race with Tristan Borges of Forge FC, and Blasco in a three-way tie for third place in the league with five goals.
鈥淲e have enough firepower to win games,鈥 said Haber.
鈥淲e need to be more balanced, however, and not concede goals.鈥
Silberbauer concurred.
鈥淲e have been creating chances,鈥 said the PFC bench boss.
鈥淲hat we need to see as we grow is a more complete game and to be better overall defensively.鈥
Pacific FC (1-3-1 in the fall season and 3-5-2 in spring) lost its first three games of the fall season but has since beaten Halifax 3-1 at Westhills Stadium and then led in Winnipeg before a goal in injury time salvaged a 2-2 draw for host Valour FC.
FC Edmonton (2-1-2 and 4-4-2), meanwhile, has turned it around from the spring season and the Eddies are undefeated in their last three home games, earning a win against Halifax and points against Forge FC of Hamilton and Valour FC.
鈥淭his is one of the shortest road trips we have . . . we鈥檒l take it,鈥 said Silberbauer.