| Pacific FC vs. Halifax Wanderers FC July 5 at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C. Watch Live: OneSoccer Tickets available here |
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For the second time in nine days, Pacific FC take on the Halifax Wanderers, this time on the west coast at Starlight Stadium.
This past Friday, the Wanderers defeated the Tridents 5-2 at the Wanderers Grounds in both clubs' first match back since the World Cup break. The loss meant an unwanted record reached for Pacific, as they tied FC Edmonton's 2022 mark for the longest winless streak to begin a season, at 11 matches.
Pacific's last win against the Wanderers came nearly a year ago, on July 12, 2026, 3-2 courtesy of a hat-trick from Yann Toualy.
Halifax are winless in their past six visits to Starlight Stadium, and have won just once in club history in Langford -- back in 2022.
While the Tridents have been preparing for their rematch with Halifax, the Wanderers hosted Atlético Ottawa on Canada Day and suffered a demoralizing 3-1 defeat.
Starting matches on time has been a weakness for the Wanderers this season, as they conceded a league-high 10 first-half goals in 12 matches.
The inverse has been true for Pacific FC. The Tridents have allowed 20 of the league-leading 25 goals they've conceded this year in the second half. They've actually been an even five goals scored, five conceded in the first half, drawing a clear outline of where their issues have been this season.
They will be hoping that changes under new head coach Terry Dunfield can finally get them back in the win column. But the club confirmed this week that he will not be taking over until July 7.
In fact, both teams will have an assistant manning the ship on Sunday, as Vanni Sartini is suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation.
This is a big match for the Wanderers, who enter the weekend in the fourth and final playoff spot in the CPL. Having played more games, 12, than any other club, however, there are plenty of teams queuing up behind them to take that spot.
Pacific find themselves nine points out, but with a direct opportunity to gain a crucial three on a team they are trailing.
NEWS & NOTES
- Pacific FC announced the departure of striker Bul Juach after executing a Mutual Termination Agreement.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Pacific FC: Heard, Quintana, Konincks, Marshall; Gomulka, Chung; Kratt, Bustos, Toualy; Díaz
Halifax Wanderers: Carducci; Alphonse, Linder, Sow, Godinho; Rampersad, Olguin, Callegari; Arilla, Ciccarelli, Johnston
KEY QUOTES
"Last weekend in Halifax we had our highest xG of the season. We had 2.75, which is typically a winning performance in the league, and then you had two own goals and a late penalty. So the score doesn't tell the full story." - Pacific FC interim head coach Yiannis Tsalatsidis
"I think it comes down to us as players. We could have any coach in the World come in and implement ideas, but if we don't pick up our standards, and our efforts and execute match plans I don't think it will mean anything." -- Pacific FC defender Kadin Chung.
