Home Organizations & Associations Canadian Premier League Sleepy start for CPL season opener in Langford

Sleepy start for CPL season opener in Langford

pfc, purple
A win for Pacific FC in the 2023 CPL season opener, April 15, 2023 at Starlight Stadium in Langford. [screenshot]
 SHORT-RUN PRINTING | LAMINATING | MAIL-OUT SUPPORT

Saturday April 15, 2023 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated 11:15 am – April 16, 2023]

by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends

OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE AT THIS GAME: 4,825


The new Vancouver FC professional men’s soccer team played off against the 5th-season Pacific FC team in Langford today.

On their home turf at Starlight Stadium, Pacific FC scored one goal in the last 10 minutes of the game.

pfc, kadin chung, april 2023
Pacific FC vs Vancouver FC, April 15, 2023 at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC. [OneSoccer livestream]

Otherwise it was a perfunctory low-energy game performance from both teams. The crowd was supportive but there were few on-field moments to get them really revved up.

Both teams have the same owner, Rob Friend (of SixFive Sports & Entertainment), which may have psychologically set an odd tone for both teams in this CPL season-opener. Both coaches brought energy to the field: James Merriman (Pacific FC) and Afshin Ghotbi (Vancouver FC). Pacific FC Captain was forward Josh Heard (Jersey 11) and Vancouver FC Captain was goalkeeper Callum Irving (Jersey 1).

pfc, vfc, starlight stadium
PFC vs VFC match at mid-game. at Starlight Stadium in Langford, April 15, 2023.

A few high-profile former Pacific FC players (like Kadin Chung and Callum Irving) now play on the Vancouver FC team, against the team with which they started. For young players that might take a bit of wrapping one’s head around the sports business aspect of the sport they love.

The stands were nearly full (official attendance was 4,825, called ‘sold out’ by Pacific FC organizers), putting up with overcast skies and a very cool spring evening temperature of 9 degrees Celcius. As publicly stated over many years, the city-owned stadium officially seats about 6,000 people.

starlight stadium, April 15, 2023
Nearly full stands for the Pacific FC vs Vancouver FC CPL season opener game at Starlight Stadium on April 15, 2023. [livestream]

SoccerOne livestreamed the game coast to coast.

ist, main
Like what you’re reading? Get the Premium ENews sent directly to your Email InBox.

===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:

Island Social Trends (previously West Shore Voice News) reports on west shore and south Vancouver Island news.

Island Social Trends has been covering Pacific FC and CPL since their inaugural year in 2019. News is posted at islandsocialtrends.ca and Premium ENews Subscriptions are available.