The capital city is about to get a taste of Trident fever.
Pacific FC is packing up its purple and heading east from Langford for a one-off Canadian Premier League (CPL) clash in the heart of Victoria.
They’ll host cross-pond rival Vancouver FC at Royal Athletic Park (RAP) on Saturday, Sept. 13 – marking the first-ever Downtown Derby.
Up to 4,800 fans will pack the stands for a match that promises equal parts spectacle and stakes.
It will be the first CPL match ever played at RAP, best known these days as the home of the Victoria HarbourCats.
But RAP’s soccer roots run deep, with decades of amateur and professional matches gracing the grass in the shadow of downtown high-rises.
In 1985, Canada played World Cup qualifiers there against Haiti and Guatemala. The stadium also hosted games during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and saw Premier League clubs Chelsea FC and West Bromwich Albion FC take on Vancouver Island all-star squads in the 1990s.
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said the event is a chance to showcase top-tier Canadian talent in a setting that holds meaning for local fans.
“This Pacific FC match will give Victorians a chance to see top-level Canadian soccer players and celebrate being part of this global football passion," Alto said.
Before the downtown lights come on in September, Pacific FC will look to get back to their winning ways.
Their next match is set for Friday, June 27, when they face the same Vancouver side.
The Tridents are winless in their last six matches, dropping five of those, including a 1-0 loss to Cavalry on June 21.
Heading into Friday’s clash, Pacific sits two points ahead of Vancouver, who are currently at the bottom of the CPL table.
The Tridents trail the fifth and final playoff spot by six points, with 16 matches remaining in the regular season.
Still, Langford remains home.
“This Downtown Derby is a great opportunity to share the excitement of Pacific FC with new fans in Victoria,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson. “We’re confident that once they experience the energy, talent, and spirit of the Tridents, they’ll want to be part of the journey, right here in Langford.”
Kickoff at RAP is set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 13.
