Pacific FC fans can see a Japanese soccer legend in sideline action as former professional player Kengo Nakamura joins the local club as a temporary coach.
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) club based in Langford added Kengo Nakamura to the staff on Thursday (April 18) as he completes his Japan Football Association Class S coaching licence, the highest level of coaching in Japan.
Nakamura played midfield for 18 seasons for Kawasaki Frontale in JapanB次元官网网址檚 J. League making 546 appearances and serving as club captain from 2012 to 2017. In 2016, Nakamura was named MVP and Japanese Footballer of the Year. He retired in 2020 at age 40 and has since worked in media relations for the J. League.
Nakamura will shadow Pacific FCB次元官网网址檚 coaching staff that includes assistant coaches Armando Sa and Chris Merriman.
B次元官网网址淲e welcome Kengo to our club, this is an opportunity to host a player with great experience,B次元官网网址� Pacific FC head coach James Merriman said in a press release. B次元官网网址淲e will learn from each-other, he will join our staff and share his knowledge with our players.B次元官网网址�
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Nakamura will be pitch-side for Pacific FCB次元官网网址� s upcoming home match on Friday (April 19) against Valour FC, the same night Sean Young becomes the clubB次元官网网址檚 first player to reach 100 appearances in all competitions.
The local club recently extended YoungB次元官网网址檚 contract to keep him with the Tridents for the 2025 and 2026 CPL seasons, with a club option for 2027.
Young signed his first pro contract with the Pacific FC Tridents in 2020. A product of the youth soccer system in Greater Victoria, having represented Bays United Youth Football Club, the Vancouver Island Wave Program and the Victoria Highlanders, he was the first local player to make the jump to the CPL.
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B次元官网网址淎s a homegrown player here on Vancouver Island, Sean is a clear example of the opportunity provide by the CPL for local players. We are proud of that legacy, and it is appropriate that he will become our first player to reach 100 games with Pacific,B次元官网网址� Merriman said.
Last year, Young tallied a total of 2,432 minutes, contributing four goals and four assists.
Pacific FC also signed defender Eric Lajeunesse to a U SPORTS contract for the 2024 CPL season, after retaining his U SPORTS rights during the 2023 season. Lajeunesse, 21, is a second-year University of British Columbia student who played 522 minutes for the Tridents last season after he was selected by the club with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 draft. He lined up for Pacific at both centre and left back, starting four matches.
B次元官网网址淓ric showed his potential last season, we put him into difficult games, and he quickly adapted to the level,B次元官网网址� Merriman said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 physical, has a strong mentality and great character.B次元官网网址�
Pacific FC also signed Juan Quintana, 20, to a one-year contract plus two options, which could keep him with the club through the 2026 season.
Standing six feet tall, and known for his speed and ball, the Colombian centre back has played professionally for Orsomarso SC in Palmira, Western Colombia since 2021.
B次元官网网址淨uintana is ball-winning central defender with good physicality who can play anywhere across our back line,B次元官网网址� Merriman said. B次元官网网址淗e is an extremely motivated young player with good experience, a strong mentality and a high potential to develop.B次元官网网址�
The Pacific FC Tridents host Valour Friday at 7 p.m. at Starlight Stadium in Langford.
