Depth is that measurable something, so important on team sports rosters, that Pacific FC (2-1-1) seems to have and it could be evident again today against York United (1-1-2) in the Canadian Premier League bubble at IG Stadium in Winnipeg at 2 p.m.
A trio of largely unfamiliar names were given starts in the 1-0 PFC victory Wednesday over Atletico Ottawa, and all acquitted themselves well. Striker Matteo Polisi of Coquitlam made his pro debut after having been in both the MLS academies of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers.
“Matteo is hungry and like a sponge,” said PFC head coach Pa-Modou Kah.
“He’s a hard worker and also a winner. He deserved his shot and showed why.”
Valuable defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, who was selected for the Canada Under-23 team for the CONCACAF Tokyo Olympics qualifying tournament, and mercurial midfielder Manny Aparicio are out with injuries. And PFC captain and three-time Canada capped Jamar Dixon has largely been coming off the bench into the midfield, creating other starting opportunities for younger players looking to make an imprint on the team.
Filling in admirably in the roster reconfiguration have been defender Abdou Samake, out of the NCAA Big Ten University of Michigan Wolverines and Montreal Impact reserves, and left-back Jordan Haynes, who made eight appearances for Canada U-17 and three for Canada U-20 in his younger days.
Emerging hometown Victoria product Sean Young, only 20, continues to show well in midfield while Alessandro Hojabrpour, already a three-year veteran with PFC at 21, also displayed bright midfield moments when given a starting role Wednesday.
“That’s why you carry a [full] squad,” said Kah.
“It’s football. You get knocks. We know you need your other players to step up. Everybody we have on our squad knows their roles and responsibilities. When it’s time for them to step up, they know exactly what we are asking of them. For us, it’s nothing new. We see it every day in training with these players. That speaks to their quality and their intelligence in taking the information we have given them.”
The PFC bench boss did not divulge the status of Meilleur-Giguère or Aparicio.
“We want to make sure they are all healthy. The boys are in good spirits,” said Kah.
York United, from the Greater Toronto Area, is coming in following a win after two draws and a loss. PFC and York drew 1-1 in their first meeting of the season.
