Eight. That is now the number of points separating Vancouver FC, who sit fourth in the standings and currently occupy the final playoff spot, from FC Supra.
In this six-pointer between two teams battling for a playoff berth, both sides had their moments. Vancouver FC, however, made the most of theirs, while Supra struggled to manage the periods when they were under pressure.
“We lacked hunger,” Supra head coach Nick Razzaghi said angrily after the match. “We’ve been in this situation many times, but do we want to learn? Do we want to change the way we do things? Do we want to make a difference in the important moments? That’s a question of character. It’s no longer about experience, it’s about desire. It’s about focus. It’s about professionalism on our part to get these results,” he continued, visibly frustrated more than at any other point this season.
For Vancouver FC head coach Martin Nash, on the other hand, it was his team’s “willingness to fight and never give up” that made the difference.
“That’s something we’ve been working on with this group. In previous years, we wouldn’t have responded like that after going 2-0 down. Hopefully, it gives the team confidence and, whatever the situation, we’ll continue to fight.”
Vancouver FC certainly showed plenty of resilience throughout the match.
Despite being put under pressure early on by Vancouver’s lively wingers, Supra opened the scoring and then doubled their lead within the space of four minutes.
Matisse Chrétien rose highest to meet Sean Rea’s corner and powered his header past Callum Irving (0-1; 10th minute).
Ibrahim Condé then gave Supra a comfortable lead with a finish from the penalty spot after a stunning sequence of skill from David Choinière, who produced an outstanding first touch, followed by a roulette and then an outside-of-the-foot pass at the end of his run (0-2; 14th minute).
From there, Vancouver FC appeared completely stunned. Supra settled into the attacking third, controlled possession and, although they did not create many clear-cut chances, clearly took control of the game.
It took until the half-hour mark for Vancouver to get back into the match, and they did so by cutting the deficit with their first real opportunity. After a long run down the left flank, Amissi turned Sissoko and Choinière inside out before sending a cross towards the feet of Keesan Ferdinand, who got a touch on the ball and inadvertently turned it into his own net (1-2; 35th minute).
Having pulled one back without registering a shot on target, Vancouver FC made the most of their opportunities and equalized just before halftime through Lys Mousset. The British Columbian forward rose to head Tom Field’s cross despite being surrounded by Chrétien and Ferdinand (2-2; 43rd minute).
The momentum had clearly shifted, and Amissi came close to putting Vancouver ahead with a curling effort that narrowly missed the far post in stoppage time (45+2).
Despite controlling much of the first half, Supra could hardly complain about going into halftime level.
Theiro Bah makes the difference
Aside from a David Choinière shot that struck the post shortly after the restart, it took some time for the second half to truly come to life.
Looking to inject fresh energy into their teams and attacking lines, both Nick Razzaghi and Martin Nash turned to their benches, bringing on Noah Dos Santos and Terran Campbell during the final half-hour.
It was Elage Bah, however, who had been relatively quiet up to that point, who provided the spark. The winger embarked on a superb solo run, weaving his way through the entire Supra defence. His eventual effort went wide, but the spectacular run appeared to restore his confidence.
Shortly afterwards, Bah took full advantage of a huge mistake by Abzi, collecting the ball in stride before beating Milli with a magnificent curling finish (3-2; 72nd minute).
Supra tried to push forward. Sean Rea fired from distance without success (81st), while Loïc Kwemi latched onto a good combination involving Thomas Lebeuf and Omar Elkalkouli and attempted a half-volley, but his effort missed the target (85th).
Vancouver FC held on for a crucial victory and took a major step towards securing a playoff spot. The win also ended a three-game losing streak.
Bah, however, was quick to temper any celebrations.
“The season is finished when all 28 games have been played. It’s not over yet,” he warned.
So what will make the difference and allow Vancouver FC to hold on to its playoff spot?
“Keeping the group together,” Bah said. “It’s not always going to be the same players who play, score or provide the assists. We’re going to need all 23 players. We’re going to need everyone.”
For Supra, the situation is quite the opposite. They lost a game they could not afford to lose, and the playoffs are now slipping further away.
Box Score
Starting XI
Vancouver FC: Irving; Doner, Campagna, Field, Proctor; Polisi, Pecile (Traoré, 84th); Bah, Mezquida (Lee, 77th), Amissi (Gee, 84th); Mousset (Campbell, 66th).
FC Supra: Milli; Fernandez, Ferdinand (Awonongbage, 46th), Chrétien, Abzi (Lebeuf, 73rd); Elkalklouli, Sissoko (Mlah, 73rd), Rea; Choinière (Biello, 73rd), Kwemi, Condé (Dos Santos, 62nd).
Goals
10' — Matisse Chrétien (FC Supra)
14' — Ibrahim Condé (FC Supra)
35' — Keesan Ferdinand (own goal)
43' — Lys Mousset (Vancouver FC)
72' — Thierno Bah (Vancouver FC)
Cards
45+1' — Diyaeddine Abzi (FC Supra)
45+3' — Matisse Chrétien (FC Supra)
87' — Thomas Lebeuf (FC Supra)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Thierno Bah (Vancouver FC)
Quiet for the first hour, Bah transformed himself into a game-changer in the second half. His winning goal helped his team secure a crucial victory in the playoff race. A goal that could ultimately change the course of Vancouver FC’s season.
Next match
FC Supra will return to Stade Boréale on September 12, where they will host the Halifax Wanderers at 4 p.m. ET.
Vancouver FC will travel to Toronto to face Inter Toronto on September 13 at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT).