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FC Supra du Québec vs. Vancouver FC |
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Friday night's match between FC Supra and Vancouver FC is, above all, a battle between two closely ranked teams fighting for a playoff spot.
With Vancouver FC sitting on 14 points from 12 matches and FC Supra holding 11 points after 10 games, both sides find themselves on a relatively similar pace.
However, their recent momentum is slightly different, currently tipping in favour of the British Columbia squad.
Vancouver FC has secured three wins in their last four Canadian Premier League (CPL) matches and enjoyed a strong post-World Cup restart. This impressive run earned head coach Martin Nash the CPL Coach of the Month honours for June, while young defender Kian Proctor was named the league's U-21 Player of the Month.
For FC Supra, a 3-1 Canadian Championship victory over Atlético Ottawa provided a massive boost. It marked their first win since May 30 and helped them find their rhythm after a disjointed post-World Cup return that was disrupted by a postponed match against Cavalry FC.
The similarities between these two clubs are reflected on the stat sheet. Their goals scored (14 for Supra, 15 for Vancouver) and goals conceded (16 for Supra, 14 for Vancouver FC) are remarkably close.
For Supra, the primary challenge will be keeping a clean sheet, as the Montreal-based club has yet to secure a shutout this season.
While Vancouver FC bowed out of the Canadian Championship against CF Montréal (losing 1-2 in both legs of the home-and-away series), FC Supra stumbled in their CPL return, dropping a 1-2 decision at home to Forge FC. Both sides still have room for improvement, even though several of their key players continue to dominate.
Vancouver FC boasts the league’s top goalscorer in winger Mohamed Amissi, who has netted six goals in 10 matches (800 minutes of CPL action).
While those six goals should be put into perspective—since Amissi bagged a hat-trick in his last outing against Inter Toronto—they complement Terran Campbell’s four goals, highlighting an attacking unit in fine form.
Winger Elage Bah rounds out this offensive powerhouse, sitting tied for the league lead with four assists. Additionally, former English Premier League player Lys Mousset (ex-Bournemouth), who arrived in Vancouver lacking match fitness, is gradually working his way back onto the pitch.
FC Supra, however, have plenty of weapons of their own. With four goals and three assists in 10 CPL matches, alongside a goal against Ottawa in the Canadian Championship, Sean Rea continues to prove his stellar form this season.
Centre-forward Loïc Kwemi has also found his stride. After an injury-disrupted start to the season, Montreal's number 9 is back to his clinical best, racking up three goals and an assist in his last four league matches, plus an assist in the Canadian Championship.
This sets up a classic clash between two sides battling for playoff positioning, carrying strong momentum, and relying on in-form stars. The stage is set for a fantastic match.
NEWS & NOTES
- The only prior meeting between these clubs was a 1-1 draw in Langley.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
FC Supra: Milli; Auguste, Chrétien, Ferdinand, Abzi; Biello, Sissoko; Choinière, Rea, Bayiah; Kwemi
Vancouver FC: Irving; Proctor, Campagna, Field, Doner; Fotsing, Pecile; Amissi, Mezquida, Bah; Campbell
KEY QUOTES
"At this stage, every match is becoming crucial for us. There's very little gap between 3rd and 7th place. A win or two could be a real threat to any team. Vancouver is a very good team, currently ahead of us in the standings. They stick to their principles and always play their own game. They play a very direct style and create a lot of chances." - FC Supra head coach Nick Razzaghi
