For the first time in 380 minutes, Pacific FC finally found the back of the net. But, what looked like a much-needed spark quickly fizzled, as the Tridents collapsed in the second half and fell 3-1 to York United on Saturday afternoon in front of 2,600-plus in Langford.
The loss extends Pacific’s winless run to five matches and puts them five points adrift of York for the final Canadian Premier League playoff spot.
It was another frustrating outing for a club that continues to struggle with consistency – particularly in the final third.
“They're putting pressure on themselves, but we need to express ourselves,” said Pacific head coach James Merriman before kickoff. “We need to be a bit freer and take more risks in the final third…be ready in front of the goal and take our chances when they come.”
The Tridents responded early with their most energetic start in weeks.
Playing once again in a 4-3-3, the attacking trio of Marco Bustos, Emanuel Montejano and Yann Toualy pushed the pace with flair and movement, while 18-year-old Saanich native Sami Keshavarz earned his fifth start of the season and brought a spark of local energy to the lineup.
Toualy – a 24-year-old winger from Cote d'Ivoire making his first start of the season – stood out immediately, causing fits for York’s back three and drawing the foul that led to the game’s opener.
After Toualy’s surging run earned a free kick, Bustos floated the ball into the box, triggering a chaotic pinball sequence that eventually landed at the feet of centre-back Aly Ndom just outside the 18. Ndom stepped into a thunderous half-volley that rocketed past York keeper Ivan Pavela – a stunning strike and Pacific’s first goal in over four full matches.
GOAL 🔱@PacificFCCPL open the scoring vs. @YorkUtdFC in emphatic fashion as Aly Ndom smashes his effort in from distance 💪
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) June 14, 2025
🔴 Watch #CanPL on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/85abpWWNIC
The goal brought relief and a roar from the Starlight Stadium crowd.
At the break, the Tridents held a narrow 1-0 lead – their first time leading at halftime since mid-May.
But whatever control Pacific had quickly evaporated after the restart.
York equalized just seven minutes into the second half when Pacific failed to deal with a bouncing ball in their own box.
The clearance attempt was soft, falling right to the foot of 21-year-old Luca Accettola. The York University product calmly took a touch, then curled a perfectly placed shot into the top corner beyond a diving Max Anchor.
Pacific barely had time to regroup before York pounced again.
In the 59th minute, Riley Ferrazzo cleaned up a rebound after a strong initial save from Anchor, hammering the ball into an open net to put the visitors ahead.
Then came the dagger.
Orlando Botello, a 23-year-old on loan from Mexico’s Monterrey, picked the pocket of Keshavarz in midfield, burst forward on a solo run, and uncorked a long-range knuckling shot that dipped violently past Anchor.
It was a goal-of-the-week contender and Botello’s first of the season – a cruel punctuation mark on Pacific’s defensive unravelling.
GOAL 👑👑👑@YorkUtdFC go up 3-1 over @PacificFCCPL as Orlando Botello hits a rocket from distance 🚀
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) June 14, 2025
🔴 Watch #CanPL on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/zgA04gWYmu
All three York goals came in a devastating 17-minute window.
From 1-0 up to 3-1 down, the Tridents were left stunned.
The visitors closed out the match with clinical control, outshooting Pacific 6-1 overall and holding 54 per cent of the possession.
The result leaves the Langford-based side with just one point out of a possible 15 from their last five outings.
The early promise shown by the front three – and Ndom’s highlight-reel strike – were ultimately overshadowed by defensive lapses and a lack of second-half pushback.
It doesn’t get easier for Pacific, who now prepare to travel to Calgary to meet Cavalry FC on June 21. The last time the two sides met – back on Victoria Day – Cavalry ran away with a 4-0 win.
With their season threatening to slip away, Pacific’s need for a response is growing louder by the week.
