It is the global game but it’s also very local.
James Merriman, as a teen, played for coach John Nash. Merriman now coaches Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League. Up next for PFC are two home dates at Starlight Stadium against York United, which is coached by John Nash’s son Martin Nash.
“It shows the football environment and culture on the Island,” said Merriman.
“Football can be a small world in terms of connections.”
The first game against York United is a league fixture tonight at 7 p.m. followed by a second-round Canadian Championship tilt Tuesday evening. It’s pure happenstance for both clubs that the Canadian Championship draw, and brackets, collided in this way with the league schedule.
“Both games are important to us but you can only treat it one match at a time,” said Merriman.
At least it will allow St. Michaels University School graduate Nash — a former Vancouver Whitecaps player capped 38 times for sa国际传媒 including with the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup-champion side — time to get reacquainted with his hometown as York United will have to remain on the Island as it makes no sense to fly to Toronto and back between games.
“That, and our great fans, is what home-field advantage is about,” said Merriman.
“Our fans have been excellent and we continue to grow the relationship. Our players really enjoy playing at home and look forward to it. Our fans give us a push and that has shown in our good starts early in games at home, where we usually get off on the front foot.”
But York United will not be easily dismissed. First-year head coach Nash, after three seasons as technical director and assistant coach with Cavalry FC, has York United at 3-2-2 overall, including a 2-1 victory over Atletico Ottawa on penalty kicks in the opening round of the Canadian Championship. Pacific FC drew an opening-round bye. The winner of the PFC-York quarter-final Tuesday will play the winner of the quarter-final between Cavalry FC and Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS in the semifinals to be played between June 21-23.
But first up is the league fixture tonight.
“York United has a good, energetic and dynamic young team,” said Merriman.
“Martin has them playing front-footed and attacking and playing in transition.”
Defending CPL-champion Pacific FC tops the league table at 5-1-1.
“With two games in close succession, this is when we really rely on our depth,” said Merriman. “A lot of players deserve the opportunity to get on the pitch.”
They will get their chance in the double dip, over five days, against York United.
