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.
