Pacific FC visits Cavalry FC on Saturday
Pacific FC hopes the CONCACAF Gold Cup opening game offensive good fortune for Canada helps turn their fortunes in the Canadian Premier League.
PFC head coach James Merriman was guest assistant coach this week for Canada in its 6-0 victory over Honduras at B.C. Place. Spiraling Pacific FC could use an offensive outburst like that today at 1:30 p.m. PT in CPL play in Calgary against Cavalry FC.
“Jesse [Canada head coach Jesse Marsch] brought me in and I very much appreciate the opportunity. I was able to be on the field in the preparation for Honduras,” said Merriman.
“There was great energy in the preparation and training. They are clear in the way Canada wants to attack and play the game. There are high expectations for the [Gold Cup] tournament.”
It continued an approach in which Marsch has brought in CPL coaches to help prepare the national team for games.
“It elevates the coaching and brings what we are doing in the CPL right through to the senior team,” said Merriman.
“[Marsch] has been amazing in bringing people in and allowing that trust. There is a great culture building throughout the staff and the team. We need to continue to work together across the country to continue to develop players and push players to the next level, whether it’s from League 1 into the CPL and beyond. You see where the players are in the senior national team right now in the clubs and countries in which they are playing. We’re in a good way but we still have so much to do.”
It’s back to club level today for Merriman as PFC looks to turn its season, in which the Island club has started with two wins, two draws and seven losses, including two defeats in a row and four in the last five games.
“We just need to focus on this game and on Calgary [5-2-3 in wins-losses draws and undefeated in five games including three victories] and can’t look too far ahead,” said Merriman.
“We’ve struggled with consistency this season to put two halves together and play a full 90 minutes. The group is continuing to work and it’s the only way out.”
Pacific FC midfielder Sean Young, signed by PFC at age 19 and now 24, is the sort of player who could be a poster boy for the CPL as a home-grown Island product who has blossomed into a fine player with potential for more in the professional game.
He reflected on the Tridents’ roughest start in his six seasons with the club.
“Obviously, it’s not the start we wanted as a team,” said Young.
“We have a lot more potential within this group. We’re playing well in games but not quite getting the results. All it’s going to take is for everyone to give a little more and turning that into wins. Games are decided on the small details and it’s just about cleaning those up.”
This could be a trap game for Cavalry, and maybe just the unexpected sweet spot for visiting PFC, with pundits giving the Tridents little chance this afternoon in Cowtown.
“Going into Calgary is one of the toughest things in this league,” said Young.
“But it could be the perfect game for us to jump-start our season. If we get a result here, we can really build off that. There is a lot of season left to play.”
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