Pacific FC are the first side to be eliminated from 2026 CPL playoff contention following a 1-1 draw with Vancouver FC in the final Salish Sea Derby of the year.
The Tridents knew that only a victory would be enough to make it mathematically possible that they could still catch their B.C. rivals in the table, who sit in the fourth and final playoff position.
A point does little to secure that spot for Vancouver FC, however, as they have won just once in their past seven matches, and now head home to Langley for a crucial midweek clash with Inter Toronto.
Looking to find a spark in his squad, Vancouver FC manager Martin Nash made three changes, including giving Benjamin Lee his first CPL start in midfield.
One of those changes, Luis Toomey, came out of the gate flying. In the ninth minute, he somehow couldn't beat Sean Melvin from point-blank range. But he made up for it less than a minute later after Mohamed Amissi found him in the box, and this time he made no mistake, slotting it past Sean Melvin to make it 1-0.
Pacific had a great chance to equalize in the 20th minute, as Ronan Kratt picked out Marco Bustos in the box, but his header struck the crossbar and went over Callum Irving's net.
Then it was Bustos picking out Josh Heard in the 34th minute, who created some space for himself with a clever turn before Irving denied him again.
Vancouver's best attacks, meanwhile, came down the left flank, where Toomey and Amissi connected incredibly well to create chances.
But right before half-time, Pacific tied it up. A well-executed set-piece routine saw Bustos deliver a perfect cross into Yann Toualy, who headed home the equalizer.
Not satisfied with their first half, however, Pacific made a pair of changes at the half, bringing on Alejandro Díaz and Max Piepgrass.
Pacific had another chance early in the half on a free kick, with Taras Gomulka forcing a save from Irving.
The second half lacked rhythm in general, however, as both sides struggled to create chances.
Vancouver, in particular, struggled to get on the ball as the match went on, with Pacific consistently winning the ball back high up the pitch and creating half-chances from them.
The Eagles, meanwhile, looked more and more exhausted, having not made any subs by the 70th minute. Pacific had already made four. That was when Martin Nash finally turned to his bench, and brought on Damiano Pecile, Lys Mousset and Aboubacar Traore.
Those substitutes seemed to give some air under the wings of the Eagles, as they took back momentum for a spell. But knowing their slim playoff hopes were on the line, Pacific pushed hard for a winner.
Unable to find it, however, the clock ran out on Pacific FC's season, and they officially went winless in the Salish Sea Derby in 2026.
But after another solid performance, even if three points didn't follow, the Tridents are still determined to make the most of the remainder of their campaign.
"Every single game will have big, big importance," said Pacific assistant coach Tsalatsidis. "We're not only playing for our people, but we're playing to try to keep pushing the benchmarks of our performances, so we have that carryover for next season. I don't think the foot's coming off the gas, not for one bit."
Box Score
Starting XIs
Pacific FC: Melvin; Chung (Heard 31'), Konincks, Quintana, Greco-Taylor; Juhmi (Piepgrass 46'), Gomulka; Bustos (Hundal 84'), Daniels (Vales 61'), Toualy; Kratt (Díaz 46')
Vancouver FC: Irving; Doner Campagna, Field, Proctor; Lee, Polisi, Toomey (Pecile 71'); Amissi (Gee 90+1'), Campbell (Mousset 71'), Bah (Traore 71')
Goals
10' - Luis Toomey (Vancouver FC)
45+3' - Yann Toualy (Pacific FC)
Discipline
50' - Yellow: Luis Toomey (Vancouver FC)
90+1' - Yellow: Shaan Hundal (Pacific FC)
90+2' - Yellow: Benjamin Lee (Vancouver FC)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Marco Bustos, Pacific FC
The Pacific midfielder assisted on his side's goal with a lovely cross and was quality in attack throughout the match. He finished with two chances created 42 of 46 passes completed, and three fouls won.
What's Next?
Vancouver FC remain busy, as they return home to host Inter Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 23 (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT).
Pacific also face Toronto next, as they head to York Lions Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27 (2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT).