Stingy PFC defence records its fourth CPL clean sheet in a row
PACIFIC FC 2 YORK UNITED 0
The defence never rests. It never cat naps or REM sleeps, either.
Pacific FC recorded its fourth consecutive clean sheet to begin the Canadian Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over York United on Saturday at Starlight Stadium.
One of the big reasons has been the addition of defensive midfielder Aly Ndom, the 27-year-old veteran from France, who in 2017-18 helped Stade Reims win Ligue 2 to be promoted to the heady heights of Ligue 1.
“We are very happy not to concede a goal for the fourth game,” said the native of Pontoise, 28 kilometres north of Paris.
The only blemish on the season, across all competitions, has been the goal allowed Wednesday on TSS Rovers’ only shot on target in the eventual PFC victory on penalties in the opening round of the Canadian Championship tournament for the Voyageurs Cup.
“We work a lot at it in training,” Ndom said of the Tridents’ solid defensive corps.
“We have a lot of confidence and everybody trusts everybody.”
It is a varied group that contains the likes of back-line leader and former MLS Montreal prospect Meilleur-Giguère from Repentigny, Que., who had 12 appearances for Canada Under-20s, including in the 2017 CONCACAF Championship, and was selected for the Canada U-23 team for the CONCACAF regional Tokyo Olympics qualifying tournament.
“It’s the French connection,” Ndom quipped.
Another back-line stalwart is Kunle Dada-Luke, with his non-stop motor, and he was his usual self from box to box on Saturday.
Ndom also pointed to emerging defender Eric Lajeunesse, the CPL/U Sports draft pick the Tridents selected out of the University of British Columbia, who was also strong Saturday.
“Eric is really young, but is so strong and focused and always in a good position, and he wants to learn,” said Ndom.
“And Eric knows a bit of French.”
Asked what he thought of the CPL, Ndom answered: “The CPL has surprised me. Even though I have played in Europe, I have to show something every game [to stay in the line-up] and I have to keep pushing.”
The first goal on Saturday came from 26-time Trinidad and Tobago-capped PFC striker Reon Moore at 15 minutes as he again showed why he has eight goals for the Soca Warriors, as the T-T national team is known. Moore also scored at the death in injury time Wednesday night to send the Voyageurs Cup game against TSS to penalties.
“Reon is always a threat. You can’t switch off him. And he’s only getting started,” said PFC head coach James Merriman.
Former Canada U-20 striker Adonijah Reid provided all the forward momentum in what was ruled a York own goal to give PFC the 2-0 advantage in the second half before 2,361 fans as the undefeated Tridents moved to three wins and a draw in the league, and four wins and a draw across all competitions.
York United, from the Greater Toronto Area, fell to a win and three losses in the league, and a win and four losses across all competitions.
“We had a slow start and were quite untidy in the first half,” said York United head coach Martin Nash, the Victoria-raised gaffer, who played pro for the Vancouver Whitecaps and earned 39 caps for Canada.
“We didn’t match their [PFC’s] intensity at the start of the game. We played Wednesday night and had an eight-hour trip to get here, but that’s just the way this league is, and the guys just have to get used to it,” said the St. Michaels University School graduate.
“We reacted in the second half but didn’t take our chances.”
PFC next plays Wednesday night at TD Place Stadium in the capital against Atlético Ottawa in the first game of their twolegged Voyageurs Cup quarterfinal.