| Pacific FC vs Forge FC April 24 at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, BC Watch Live: OneSoccer Tickets Available Here |
|---|
After a trip out east, Pacific FC returns home for a clash against Forge FC to conclude matchweek four of Canadian Premier League action.
For this match, though, Pacific will be in slightly new territory, as they’ll host this game at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park, marking the first of four home matches that they’ll play there this year instead of their usual Starlight Stadium.
They played at Royal Athletic Park last fall, taking on Salish Sea Derby rivals Vancouver FC in an entertaining game that finished 1-1 after a late Pacific goal, so it’s not a completely new environment, but it’ll require a bit of adjustment for the hosts nonetheless.
Having come off a big result in their last game, picking up a dramatic 90+7th-minute equalizer via Bul Juach in a 2-2 road draw against the Halifax Wanderers, they’re looking to build on that result as they chase their first victory of 2026.
After being unable to find that win in their previous two home games, which were losses to Cavalry FC and FC Supra du Québec, they’ll hope that the third time is the charm for them, and that Royal Athletic Park can be a happy stomping ground for them.
Forge, meanwhile, are aiming to build on a strong start to the season, as they’ve picked up seven points from their first three games, beating Atlético Ottawa and Vancouver FC before drawing Cavalry last week. As a result, they currently sit tied atop the Canadian Premier League standings with that same Cavalry side, and would love to stay atop that perch heading into week five.
They’ve had an excellent record against Pacific as of late, winning all four of their 2025 meetings against the club, something they’d be happy to repeat in 2026.
Having done well to start the year without conceding a goal thanks to the play of their backline and goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud, they’ll look to maintain that defensive solidity as they look to pick up another road victory - although that won’t be easy against a Pacific side that has scored five goals in three games to start the year, which is tied for the league lead in that category.
News and Notes
-
Pacific FC captain Josh Heard will serve the first of a three-game suspension for a violent conduct red card earned in his team’s last match against the Halifax Wanderers.
-
Pacific’s Joshua Belluz is back and available for selection after serving a one-game suspension last week.
-
Forge defender Rezart Rama will also miss out due to suspension, as he serves his one-game suspension for earning two yellow cards and a subsequent red card in his team’s matchup against Cavalry last weekend.
-
Forge FC captain Kyle Bekker is unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from testicular cancer, as announced last week. For more information on awareness and screening, visit cancer.ca.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Pacific FC: Melvin; Marshall, Konincks, Belluz, Greco-Taylor; Gomulka, Baldisimo; Daniels, Bustos, Toualy; Díaz
Forge FC: Bertaud; Bourgeois, Nimick, Batisse, Jevremovic; Aromatario, Paton; Massunda, Borges, Babouli; Wright
KEY QUOTES
“We want to be more aggressive, we want to commit more numbers forward, and finishing comes as a result of creating more chances, and we’re doing that. We’re getting touches in the box, we’re playing more forward, we’re adding attackers rather than adding a holding midfielder, we want to give these guys the license to attack, we want to try and go after teams, score goals in every game, create chances and be a more dangerous team.” – Pacific FC head coach James Merriman
“I’ve been (impressed) by some of the individual performances of some of our new players, you’ve got to learn quickly, adjust and adapt, and as the season starts, there are difficult games.” – Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis