Pacific FC returned victorious to Starlight Stadium for the first time this year, in a rematch of the 2021 Canadian Premier League final against Hamilton-based Forge FC.

Goals from Alejandro Diaz and debut defender Amer Didic allowed PFC to hold on through a late scare, to win the game 2-1.

More than 4,000 boisterous supporters were in the stands to see the teamB次元官网网址檚 first game back, including Blake McStravick, whoB次元官网网址檚 a member of the Lake Side Buoys, a supporters club for PFC. McStravick also saw PFCB次元官网网址檚 last game when they played in the CPL final in Hamilton.

B次元官网网址淚t is the best sporting atmosphere in Victoria, bar none,B次元官网网址� he said.

Office for the day win their season opener against

B次元官网网址� bailey (@moreton_bailey)

The day started great for the locals, Diaz cooly from Josh HeardB次元官网网址檚 ball across the box to make the score 1-0 after just five minutes.

Forge FC probably had the better performance on balance, but it was the home team who scored the second goal B次元官网网址� Marco Bustos swinging in the cross from a free-kick on the right and Didic rising highest to head home from close range.

It was a tense final few minutes when Forge FC pulled one back with PFC losing focus from a corner allowing ForgeB次元官网网址檚 Alexander Borje Achinioti-Jonsson to steal in and head home, to make the score 2-1 on 88 minutes. Pacific ultimately held out, to start the season strong.

There were faces new and old on the field and bench, with this being PFCB次元官网网址檚 coach James MerrimanB次元官网网址檚 first game in charge of the team. New defenders Didic and Nathan Mavila also made their debuts for the team.

Familiar faces were sitting on the oppositionB次元官网网址檚 bench, with championship-winning former team members Terran Campbell and Alessandro Hojarbpour lining up for Forge FC after being greeted with jeers by some in the stands.

B次元官网网址淢aking a lateral move to our rival, no, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 make any sense. So no, weB次元官网网址檙e not happy for them and weB次元官网网址檙e not happy to see them back here,B次元官网网址� McStravick noted from the stands.

PFC was wearing a new alternate jersey, designed by Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. The artistB次元官网网址檚 traditional name is Thii Hayqwtun, meaning big or huge fire. The jersey depicted a salmon and a childB次元官网网址檚 face on the jersey.

$20 from the proceeds of each jersey sold is going to the artistB次元官网网址檚 charity of choice, and $5,000 worth of his time will benefit Hope and HealthB次元官网网址檚 Youth Champion Program.

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