VALOUR FC (1-1-5) vs. VANCOUVER FC (4-1-2)
When: Sunday, June 2nd, 4 p.m. CDT
Where: Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, Mb.
How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all Canadian Premier League games live https://onesoccer.ca/
Tickets: https://valourfc.canpl.ca/tickets/
MATCH PREVIEW:
Valour’s long-awaited 2024 home debut is finally upon us after seven straight road matches to open the CPL campaign. The club has found some traction after five losses to open the season with a 2-1 win in Halifax over Wanderers and a 1-1 draw in Calgary against Cavalry FC in their last two outings.
After surviving the arduous coast-to-coast journey to start the season, Valour will now play 14 of its final 21 matches at Princess Auto Stadium – including the upcoming three-match homestand which also includes visits by Atlético Ottawa (June 9) and Pacific FC (June 14th).
Sunday’s opponent has been one of the positive stories of the young CPL season with the Eagles on a two-match winning streak and three-match unbeaten run following victories over Pacific FC and Forge FC and a draw with Atlético Ottawa.
THE OTHER GUYS:
3 Facts about Vancouver FC
-Vancouver’s leading scorer is Moses Dyer who has three goals and is also the all-time leader in goals scored for Valour FC, with 19 during his days in Winnipeg. He was with FC Tulsa before returning to the CPL with Vancouver.
-Veteran keeper Callum Irving is Vancouver’s last line of defence. He is second in the CPL in saves with 20 and has one clean sheet so far this season.
-Vancouver has 12 goals in seven matches, second only to Ottawa (13 in seven) and their goal conversion rate – goals/shots – is a whopping 19.35 percent, second only again to Ottawa’s 21.31. Valour’s by comparison, is 13.04 percent.
VALOUR FC SPOTLIGHT:
#8: Juan Pablo Sanchez, midfielder: Valour’s young midfielder is surely brimming with confidence with his play of late and especially after his goal last weekend in Calgary – his first in the CPL – in what was an absolute howitzer into the top corner of the net.
Valour could certainly use more of Sanchez’s flair in the middle of the park to help unlock some more offence and the 21-year-old Hartford-born/Burlington-raised product seems poised to deliver.
CRITICAL NUMBER
6 vs. 4
Valour is hoping to establish Princess Auto Stadium as a CPL home fortress. The franchise is just 21-13-22 all time at home and last year’s record of 3-4-7 offered glimpses of the hope and frustration.
Valour opened last season with a six-match unbeaten run at home with four draws and two wins but ended the year with four consecutive home losses. Finding a good consistency will be critical.
All-Time: Valour FC vs. Vancouver FC
Overall: (win-draw-loss): 1-2-1
Last meeting: April 14, 2024 — Vancouver FC 4 Valour FC 1