The Canadian Premier League’s playoffs kicked off Wednesday night with Pacific FC beating York United FC 1-0 at the Starlight Stadium. Pacific had won three and drew once against York in the four times they squared off during the regular season. This time it was different, It was do or die, the winner moves on loser goes home all was at stake.
The first half started with York being on the attack pressuring Pacific early in the half, but it wouldn’t prove to be enough as the Trident’s defense proved to be too strong. On the other hand, Pacific was lucky to find the back of the net in the closing stages of the first half, however, it was called off due to the play being offside. The half ended with both teams returning to their locker rooms 0-0.
The second half commenced with a Pacific team looking much more eager than the previous half. Quick to jump on any chances Pacific tested York’s goalkeeper a handful of times. The controversy struck as what appeared to be a goal that was headed by Pacific’s Meilleur-Giguère crossed most of the goal line and was pushed out by York’s keeper Giantsopoulos hitting the far post and out. Sending the Starlight Stadium audience and Pacific players into a frenzy as everyone thought the ball crossed the line. However, the referee made the decision of no goal as the game continued onwards with Pacific feeling even more hungry.
The game continued into the 90th minute with a few minutes of added time added to the board. Finally Pacific had their prayers answered as Kekuta Manneh sent a perfect cross into the six-yard box that Adonijah Reid found and managed to knock it past the goalkeeper in the 91st minute. Erupting the whole stadium which would stand to be the game-winning goal. The game ended with a little drama as York thought they tied from a gorgeous bicycle kick, however, it was waved offside. The referee blew his whistle and Pacific found themselves on the way to the next round.
“It feels really good, we know we’re a team that can create chances and we kept pushing and pushing and luckily we got the goal then. — We know what kind of team we know how good we are, the past results haven’t been so good. So I feel like a win like this will help us out in the future.” – Adonijah Reid on the importance of the win.
Pacific now advances to face Halifax Wanderers on Saturday, October 14th at 11 am PST in another knockout game, if they win that game then they will face the loser of the Cavalry vs Forge match.
“As a team, we feel like we play a bit better away, so I think that’s a little bit of extra motivation for us as well, but we’re going to get together the next couple of days, and make sure we got everything right to go forward in the playoffs.” – Adonijah Reid
Goals
90 + 1′ — Adonijah Reid
Discipline
39′ — Yellow: Sean Young (Pacific FC)
67′ — Yellow: Max Ferrari (York United)
88′ — Yellow: Kadin Martin-Pereux (York United)
90+4′ — Yellow: Easton Ongaro (Pacific FC)
