MatchVALOUR FC (3-7-6) vs. PACIFIC FC (7-5-4)
When: Saturday, July 29th, 3 p.m. CDT
Where: IG Field, Winnipeg, Mb.
Tickets: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/tickets/
How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all Canadian Premier League games live https://onesoccer.ca/
MATCH PREVIEW:
The margin for error for Valour FC in its quest for a CPL playoff spot is quickly becoming razor thin. The club is seventh in the standings with a 3-7-6 record – three wins, seven draws, six losses – good for 16 points. Valour is five points back of sixth place Atlético Ottawa and six behind HFX Wanderers, who hold the fifth and final playoff spot.
Valour fell 2-1 to York United in its last outing, dropping the club’s record at IG Field to 2-4-2. This is the second match in a stretch that will see the team at home for four of five.
Valour has scored just 13 goals in 16 matches, the lowest in the CPL, but continues to defend well with just 17 goals allowed through 16 matches — tied with Pacific FC for best in the CPL.
THE OTHER GUYS:
3 Facts about Pacific FC:
-Pacific enters this match on a five-game winless streak – three losses and two draws – and was beaten 2-nil at home by Forge FC last Friday.
-One of the league’s most dangerous attacking sides, Pacific has been held off the scoresheet in its last two matches.
-Pacific has three players with four goals in Amir Didic, Ayman Sellouf and Easton Ongaro, the latter a scorer who has long been a thorn in Valour’s side dating back to his days at FC Edmonton.
VALOUR FC SPOTLIGHT:
#12 Ahinga Selemani, F: Valour’s newest addition brings CPL experience to the club, having scored three goals in 17 matches with Cavalry FC during the 2021 season before heading to Gudja United in Malta and then One Knoxville SC in USL League One. He came off the bench in the 60thminute in last week’s loss to York United, showing good pace and creativity.
CRITICAL NUMBER
35%
Valour’s shooting percentage, lowest in the CPL. By comparison, league leading Atlético Ottawa’s shooting percentage is 54 percent. Valour has taken the third fewest shots in the CPL this year at 136 – just 47 on target – with 13 finding the back of the net.
All-Time: Valour FC vs. Pacific FC
Overall: (win-draw-loss): 2-3-12
Last meeting: June 21, 2023, at Starlight Stadium: Pacific FC 1 Valour FC 0