Josh Heard achieved something rare last year for a professional athlete — win a title with their hometown club.
“I got to bring a championship to the Island and I’m proud of that,” said the Lakehill, Victoria Metro and Highlanders product out of the Reynolds Secondary soccer academy.
Heard, drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the 2016 MLS draft out of the University of Washington Huskies of the Pac-12, signed Friday for his third season with 2021 Canadian Premier League-champion Pacific FC.
“Very few times at the pro level do you get to look up and see family, friends, old coaches and teachers in the crowd and that is a part of my decision,” said Heard.
“We achieved our goal in 2021 and want to win more trophies.”
Attacker Heard made 26 appearances in 2021 with 1,624 minutes played. He scored four goals, the most celebrated being his daring individual push down the left side to blow past a defender and beat Canadian national team goaltender Maxime Crepeau to the short side in the 63rd minute of the upset win against the Whitecaps in the first round of the Canadian Championship.
“Josh is a top wide forward in this league who always plays with an edge and is a constant threat on the pitch,” said PFC head coach James Merriman.
Heard is a retention after PFC lost three-season original players Terran Campbell and Alessandro Hojabrpour to rival CPL power Forge FC of Hamilton while original three-season defender Lukas MacNaughton has moved up to Toronto FC of MLS.
“It comes in football with being a championship club,” said Heard.
“It’s a part of being successful. It shows we are producing top pros in Canada. It’s a good issue to have. We will bring in new talent.”
Heard pointed to PFC’s depth.
“We didn’t have [2020 CPL MVP finalist and Canada-capped] Marco Bustos, [Canada U-23 player] Thomas Meilleur-Giguère and [Philippines World Cup qualifying call-up] Matthew Baldisimo for most of last season because of injuries. Having them for full seasons is like three new signings,” said Heard.
Three-year assistant coach Merriman has stepped up to replace former head coach Pa-Modou Kah, who has moved on to become head coach of North Texas SC of MLS Next Pro, the main farm team of FC Dallas of MLS.
“James [Merriman] and Pa have the same philosophy of playing front-foot, pressuring and attacking football and we are going to continue to play the same,” said Heard, which suits his style just fine.
“Our identity will remain the same.”
