Matchday Program
An all-CPL clash in the 2026 Telus Canadian Championship takes centre stage on Saturday afternoon as Pacific FC welcome Cavalry FC to Starlight Stadium in the preliminary round.
These two clubs have built one of the CPL’s fiercest rivalries over the years, with countless dramatic moments between them. From playoff battles to late winners, meetings between Pacific and Cavalry rarely disappoint and with a place in the next round of the Telus Canadian Championship on the line, expect another intense chapter on Vancouver Island.
Pacific return home looking to build momentum after a difficult start to league play. While results have been hard to come by, there have been encouraging signs in recent weeks, including attacking flashes from new additions and continued growth from the club’s young core. Saturday also marks Pacific’s first Telus Canadian Championship match of the season, a competition where the Tridents have historically produced some of the biggest moments in club history.
Cavalry, meanwhile, arrive as one of the CPL’s perennial contenders and one of the league’s most organized sides under head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. The visitors will be aiming to spoil Pacific’s home return and continue their strong form against CPL opposition in knockout competition.
The atmosphere at Starlight Stadium should provide another big occasion, with the club set to recognize members of the Canadian Armed Forces and CFB Esquimalt throughout the afternoon. Fans will also be treated to a pre-match flyover from two aircraft before kickoff, adding to what promises to be a memorable matchday environment.
There is no shortage of familiarity between these clubs either. Several players on both sides have shared history through the CPL and Canadian youth national team pathways, while Pacific head coach James Merriman will once again look to outmaneuver one of the league’s most experienced benches in Wheeldon Jr.’s Cavalry side.
For Pacific, this match represents more than just advancement in a cup competition. It is an opportunity to reset the narrative early in the season, deliver a statement performance at home, and remind supporters how special knockout football can be on the Island.
With a spot in the next round on the line, expect urgency, intensity, and another heated battle between two clubs that know each other incredibly well.
3 Things To Watch
A Shot at the Whitecaps
The stakes couldn't be higher for this preliminary round clash: the winner earns a home-and-away quarter-final berth against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. That sets up a potential home and away matches with the Vancouver-based club with an uncertain future. For Pacific specifically, the prospect of a cross-province rivalry with the Whitecaps makes this a must-win with major local significance.
Honouring Those Who Serve
A Defence Team Match at Starlight Pacific FC is dedicating Saturday's match to the men and women of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, one of Canada's most storied naval bases located just minutes from Starlight Stadium. The game will feature a military flyover with a CH-148 Cyclone and CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft, as well as activations from Coding for Veterans. It's a rare blend of sport and community recognition that gives the match a meaningful backdrop beyond the result on the pitch.
Home Turf
Pacific FC Looks to Defend Home Turf Against a Dangerous Cavalry Side Cavalry FC travel from Calgary as a well-established CPL contender, making this a genuine test of Pacific's ambitions in 2026 where they have yet to win. The Tridents will have to pull out all the stops to beat the Calgary club that is in good form.
All-Time Series
Pacific FC wins: 8 || Cavalry FC wins: 8 || Draws: 18
Last Meeting
Pacific FC 1-2 Cavalry FC, April 5 2026
Key Quotes
"You can shift your mentality to win just one game and advance… It is a cup competition which we have many stories from already that we can lean into. We have experienced players in the locker room we need to push and challenge to lead us and we need to be ready for one game against Cavalry.” - Pacific FC Head Coach James Merriman
"I genuinely think every time we step on the field, it should be a do or die situation, you know, there’s no unimportant games, and I think we’ve maybe treated the last few games like that…I think that changes the psychology of it a little bit. So that’s what we are gonna do, we are gonna come out flying.” - Pacific FC Captain Josh Heard
"We want to do something we've not done before. We've never made it to the [Telus Canadian Championship] Final... it's something on our bucket list, and every season we're going to have a good crack at it." - Cavalry FC Head Coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr
50/50 Draw Live Now
All proceeds from Pacific FC 50/50 program support the Net Positive Football Society who use the power of sport to enhance the well-being, life skills and prospects of young people and underserved groups on Vancouver Island.