|
Vancouver FC vs. FC Supra du Québec |
|
|---|---|
With eight matches remaining in the season — nine for FC Supra — there are still plenty of points up for grabs before any definitive conclusions can be drawn from the standings. That said, Sunday's meeting between Vancouver FC and FC Supra could have a major impact on the final playoff picture.
Vancouver FC currently occupies the final playoff spot with 27 points from 20 matches, while FC Supra sits five points back but has a game in hand.
It is therefore easy to describe this as a six-point game. A Vancouver victory would give the British Columbians a significant advantage over a direct playoff rival, while three points for FC Supra would keep the door wide open for the Quebec side to overtake Vancouver in the standings.
The matchup promises to be an open one, with the outcome difficult to predict as both teams have shown they are capable of producing their best — as well as their worst.
Vancouver FC enjoyed an excellent month of July but has been far more inconsistent since the start of August.
Martin Nash's side comes into the match having suffered three consecutive defeats. After a heavy 4-0 loss in Ottawa, Vancouver fell 1-0 to Halifax Wanderers before suffering another 1-0 defeat away to Cavalry FC.
There is, however, an important caveat to those results: all three defeats came on the road. At home, Vancouver FC has been a formidable opponent. The British Columbians have not lost at home since May 17, when they fell to Cavalry FC. Since then, Vancouver has gone seven matches unbeaten on home soil, recording five wins and two draws.
FC Supra is one of those two teams to leave Vancouver with a point, following a 1-1 draw. That result stands in stark contrast to the teams' most recent meeting, when Vancouver FC cruised to a convincing 5-1 victory at Stade Boréale in Laval.
For FC Supra, the victory over Forge FC in the previous CPL matchday was both unexpected and very welcome.
After failing to get the better of Forge in their previous three CPL meetings, Nick Razzaghi's side finally turned the tide, not only on the scoreboard with a 1-0 victory, but also in terms of its overall performance.
FC Supra also recorded its first clean sheet of the season, although that defensive solidity disappeared three days later in the Canadian Championship. In the Canadian Championship semifinal, Forge FC came from behind late in the match, scoring from a set piece.
Of the 33 goals FC Supra has conceded in the CPL this season, 20 have come in the second half, including 12 in the final 15 minutes.
Vancouver FC has experienced a similar trend, with its defence proving more vulnerable after halftime. Eighteen of the 23 goals conceded by the British Columbians have come in the second half. That does not change the fact that Vancouver boasts one of the league's most effective defences, ranking third in the CPL in goals conceded.
In the middle of a particularly congested schedule, Razzaghi has made numerous changes to his starting lineups in recent matches, meaning players who have seen less action recently could return to the XI. He can also count on several players in strong form, led by Loïc Kwemi.
The Quebec striker became the first player to reach double figures this season and currently leads the CPL scoring chart, one goal ahead of Atlético Ottawa's Ballou Tabla.
NEWS & NOTES
- Zachary Brault-Guillard signed a contract with FC Supra this week that runs through the end of the season
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Vancouver FC: Irving; Proctor, Campagna, Field, Doner; Polisi, Ouatarra; Pecile, Amissi, Bah; Mousset
FC Supra: Milli; Auguste, Ferdinand, Chrétien, Lebeuf; Mlah, Biello, Rea; Choinière, Kwemi, Condé
KEY QUOTES
Nick Razzaghi (FC Supra head coach):
It's an important game, and we're here to play important games, so we're excited to play Vancouver again. We have some unfinished business after the last defeat, but more importantly, we have a lot to play for and a lot of hope for what's left of the season. We're going to go there with a lot of enthusiasm.
Our group is focused on our progression and our growth as a team. That's something we've been emphasizing for a very long time this season. We're still growing as a new team and a new club. That's what our season is about.
Obviously, in terms of pride, losing that game [5-1] was a turning point, but the response afterwards was excellent. Since that game, we've played several good matches, even though the results haven't always gone our way.
