PFC defense records another CPL clean sheet

PACIFIC FC 2 YORK UNITED 0

The defense never rests. It also never does cat naps or REM sleep.

Pacific FC recorded its fourth consecutive clean sheet to open the Canadian Premier League season with a 2-0 win over York United at Starlight Stadium on Saturday.

One of the main reasons is the addition of defensive midfielder Aly Ndom, the 27-year-old veteran of France who helped Stade Reims win Ligue 2 in 2017/18 and gain promotion to the heady heights of Ligue 1.

“We are very happy that we did not concede a goal for the fourth match,” said the resident of Pontoise, 28 kilometers north of Paris.

The only blemish on the season, in all competitions, was the goal conceded on Wednesday during TSS Rovers’ only shot on target in the eventual PFC victory on penalties in the opening round of the Canadian Voyageurs Cup championship tournament.

“We work on it a lot in practice,” Ndom said of the Tridents’ solid defensive corps.

“We have a lot of trust and everyone trusts everyone.”

It’s a diverse group that includes backline leader and former MLS Montreal prospect Meilleur-Giguère of Repentigny, Que., who played 12 games for Canada Under-20s, including in the 2017 CONCACAF Championship, and was selected for the Canada U-23 team for the CONCACAF regional qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“It’s because of the French connection,” Ndom joked.

Another tough back-line 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 rising defenseman Eric Lajeunesse, the CPL/U Sports draft pick the Tridents selected out of the University of British Columbia, who was also strong on Saturday.

“Eric is very young, but so strong and focused and always in a good position, and he wants to learn,” said Ndom.

“And Eric knows a little French.”

When asked what he thought of the CPL, Ndom replied: “The CPL 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 PFC striker Reon Moore of Trinidad and Tobago after 15 minutes as he once again showed why he has eight goals for the Soca Warriors, as the TT national team is known. Moore also scored at the death in stoppage time on Wednesday night to send the Voyageurs Cup match against TSS to penalties.

“Reon is always a threat. You can’t turn him off. And he’s just getting started,” said PFC head coach James Merriman.

Former Canada U-20 forward Adonijah Reid provided all the forward momentum in what was ruled an own goal in York to give PFC a 2-0 lead in the second half in front of 2,361 fans as undefeated Tridents recorded three wins and a draw in reached the competition. , and four wins and a draw in all competitions.

York United, from the Greater Toronto Area, fell to one win and three losses in the league, and one win and four losses in all competitions.

“We got off to a slow start and were quite sloppy in the first half,” said York United head coach Martin Nash, the Victoria-bred gaffer who played professionally for the Vancouver Whitecaps and earned 39 caps for Canada.

“We couldn’t match their (PFC) intensity at the start of the game. We played on Wednesday night and had an eight-hour drive 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 responded in the second half, but didn’t take our chances.”

PFC next play Atlético Ottawa in the first leg of their two-legged Voyageurs Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night at TD Place Stadium in the capital.

(email protected)