Pacific FC has not scored in three consecutive games, and seven straight halves, and has only two goals in five games.
It is one of the issues to be solved when Pacific FC (1-2-1 in league and 0-1 in Cup play) meet York9 from Greater Toronto in a Canadian Premier League fixture today at 12:30 p.m. at Westhills Stadium.
“It’s not like we are not getting chances,” said PFC head coach Michael Silberbauer.
He said he would be concerned if that was the case.
“It’s there. We need to put it together,” he said.
PFC defender Matthew Baldisimo concurred. The former Canada U-17 player is only 21 but has already been a pro for five seasons, first with Vancouver Whitecaps 2 and Fresno FC of the United Soccer League.
“It’s a matter of banging in some of our chances,” said Baldisimo.
The native of Burnaby said he has been impressed with what he’s seen so far during the inaugural CPL season.
“The level is really good and it’s easily comparable to the USL in the U.S.,” said Baldisimo, who captained Canada in the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 championship.
Meanwhile, Pacific FC has been experiencing growing pains on more than just offence. At the other end of the pitch, it’s a matter of not allowing early goals. PFC has suffered a couple of early collapses and was down 2-0 in the first 15 minutes of two of its losses, with the defenders just staring at each wondering what just happened. A team having trouble scoring hardly has the tools to rally from deficits and can ill afford to have early defensive lapses like that.
To help address that, PFC announced Friday the signing of former Panama U-20 and U-17 defensive-midfielder Alexander Gonzalez, who has CONCACAF Champions League experience with Sporting San Miguelito and Plaza Amador, the latter being the 24-year-old’s most recent club in 2018-19.
“He has played over 80 professional games, including CONCACAF Champions League games,” said PFC CEO and general manager Rob Friend.
“He’s caught the attention of a few MLS teams, so we are very fortunate to have secured such an exciting player.”
Gonzalez, who becomes one of PFC’s seven allowable imports, will join the team after today’s game.
Meanwhile, winless York9 has been having its own issues and is 0-1-1 in league and 0-0-1 in cup play. Former MLS Toronto FC-signed Manny Aparicio — who has played 36 games for Canada at the U-18, U-20 and U-23 levels — provides the spark in the middle of the field for York9.
CORNER KICKS: Among the CPL’s inaugural-season learning curves apparently involves scheduling. Today is PFC’s last home game for more than a month. PFC next plays at Westhills Stadium on June 23 against FC Edmonton. That will be after four road games — three league and one Cup.
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
