Pacific FC 2021 Season preview

The Vancouver Island club took a big step forward in 2020 under new manager Pa-Modou Kah, reaching the group stage thanks to a Marco Bustos-led win over Edmonton in the final first stage match. Their season was capped with an impressive 5-0 win over Halifax that resulted in Bustos finishing second in league scoring and topping the assist charts in PEI. In the off-season, Kah focused on quality over quantity in terms of additions, believing that Pacific already have a lot of the components of a top-tier team, and it’s hard to dispute that. As has often been the case with the club, depth could be a weak spot, but if the team can stay healthy they’ll be looking at competing for a second consecutive playoff appearance.

Key Arrivals

Manny Aparicio, M (2020: York)

Arriving from York as one of the top central midfielders in the league, Aparicio should solidify an area of the park that hasn’t traditionally been Pacific’s strongest. Between his and Bustos’ deliveries, Pacific should be a consistent threat from set pieces, and the fact that he likes a tackle should add a bit of presence to the midfield.

Gianni dos Santos, F (2020: Dordrecht, Netherlands)

A bit of an unknown arriving from the Dutch 2nd tier, but with a strong goalscoring record, the 22-year old winger/centre forward could be a bit of an x-factor for Pacific. Pacy and with some tricks in his pocket as well as a decent finisher (judging from the same Youtube videos that we’re guessing the club looked at), dos Santos could add another dangerous element to an attack that already features Bustos, Blasco, Campbell and Díaz.

Ollie Bassett, M (2020: Nuneaton Borough, England)

We’re hoping this Northern Irishman will make a bigger impact than Ryan McCurdy, and it’s safe to say that’s likely. Bassett started his professional career with Yeovil Town, a club that we have a soft spot for, so that’s a positive already. But in a career that’s taken him through the English lower leagues (Nuneaton is currently 7th-tier) to New Zealand, he has a solid goalscoring record highlighted by 6 goals in 10 matches for Team Wellington in New Zealand’s top tier in 2019-20. From midfield, that’s not half bad! Expect him to provide a more attacking foil to Aparicio in the centre of the park.

Other arrivals: Matteo Polisi, M (2020: SFU, NCAA); Kunle Dada-Luke, D (2020: Atletico Ottawa); Duran Lee, D (2020: FC Edmonton); Chris Lee, D (2020: UBC, USports)

Big Departures

Zach Verhoven, W (Ottawa)

Of the few departures from Pacific’s 2020 squad, the loss of fan favourite winger Verhoven to Ottawa probably hurts the most. Verhoven played more than 30 games for Pacific and scored 3 goals, including a beauty at the Island Games. His pace and dribbling ability will be missed, but the club will be hoping dos Santos can fill his boots.

Noah Verhoeven, M (York)

Just like that, Pacific’s gone from 2 Verho[e]ven’s to none! Noah was highly rated as the league kicked off in 2019, but never quite lived up to that potential consistently with the Tridents. When he’s on his game, his ability to pick a pass was right there with the best in the league, but that just wasn’t often enough.

Marcel de Jong, D (retired)

Arguably the biggest name to sign with the league (along with David Edgar probably), a horrendous injury limited his minutes in 2019, although the Canadian international was able to make 7 appearances at the Island Games. His retirement at 34 was not unexpected, but leaves a huge leadership gap at the club.

Other departures: Emil Gazdov, G (Nurnberg, Germany - loan)

Likely lineup

G

Expect Callum Irving to retain the starting spot he won from Nolan Wirth midway through the Island Games. Irving finished 4th in the league in saves made in PEI, despite only making 6 starts.

D

The tandem of Thomas Meilleur-Giguère and Lukas MacNaughton at centreback established themselves as one of the league’s best in 2020, and should continue in 2021. On the left, Jordan Haynes should slot in full time after impressing (and honestly, surprising us) in PEI, while Pacific are blessed with the league’s top rightback in Kadin Chung, who took a huge step forward last year.

M

The centre of the park will have a bit of a different feel for Pacific this year, with new arrival Manny Aparicio likely linking up with captain Jamar Dixon. Ollie Bassett and Matthew Baldisimo should also see their fair share of time, as will local product Sean Young. Out wide, Victor Blasco and Marco Bustos should be consistent starters on the left and right, respectively.

F

Up front, we’re hoping to see a partnership of Terran Campbell and Gianni dos Santos (although we’re expecting Kah to prefer Alejandro Díaz). Campbell is sure to bounce back to his 2019 form after just 1 goal in PEI, and dos Santos brings a goalscoring record from a decent level that hasn’t been seen in many CPL signings.

Keep an eye on: Kadin Chung - if he continues his development from his excellent showing at the Island Games, this could be Chung’s last season in CPL.

Big Question: Can Bustos find another level?

After taking some time to get up to speed at the Island Games, Marco Bustos finished the tournament in style as one of the league’s leading offensive players. If he can find that form from the start of this season, Pa-Modou Kah has given him an impressive offensive supporting cast that could see Pacific into the playoffs for the second year running.