FK PACIFIC @ Pacific Coast Soccer League
2006 Season - 2nd Place
FK Pacific (1) - PSSA Rapids
July 17 (Bellingham) - Listen to the entire broadcast of the game
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FK Pacific (0) - Vancouver Thunderbirds (0)
July 15 (Seattle) - Listen to the entire broadcast of the game
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Game photos
FK Pacific (0) - Whitecaps FC (5)
July 9 (Coquitlam, B.C.) – Missing 10 of its starters to injuries and
suspensions, FK Pacific had to make a choice of either
forfeiting the game or toughing it out with the remaining 10 players
eligible to play. Not expecting any miracles, the team chose to get
on the road to Coquitlam and play the game the best it can under the
circumstance. The outcome of 0-5 reflected uneven match up
against Whitecaps, who dominated the game and maintained
the possession throughout the match.
The top-notch officiating of the game provided fresh relief to
FK Pacific players who haven’t been having much luck with
less-experienced Seattle referees.
The team will now concentrate on getting back to 100% strength
and prepare for the upcoming match vs. Vancouver Thunderbirds
on Saturday, July 15th at Memorial Stadium.
Game photos
FK Pacific (0) - Hibernian Saints (3)
July 6 (Seattle) - Listen to the entire broadcast of the game
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FK Pacific (3) - Fraser Valley Action (2)
July 1 (Seattle) - Listen to the broadcast of the game
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FK Pacific (4) - Khalsa SC (4)
June 24 (Westminster, BC) – Arriving in New Westminster
on Saturday, FK Pacific knew it was going to be a 90-minute gamble
of which team survives longer in the heat.
With temperature pushing 90F it was difficult to concentrate on
the game ahead knowing that dehydration will take its toll much
sooner than usual. Despite the heat, both Khalsa & FK
put in great effort and kept the match interesting by exchanging
goals, penalty kicks, injuries, yellow cards and everything else that
beautiful game of soccer offers.
Not having a good day, FK Pacific players were visibly struggling
and lacking chemistry necessary to create opportunities.
Missing chance after chance, close call after close call, FK found
themselves playing catch up with Khalsa, who was having better
luck at capitalizing on FK’s mistakes in the defense. Digging deep
for the remaining splash of energy, FK Pacific were able to tie the
game at 4-4 and almost walked away with a win in the final
seconds of the match when FK’s midfielder, Dariot Abaga, had his
“one-on-one” opportunity with Khalsa’s goalkeeper but missed what’s
normally would have been a “sure goal”. An early whistle by the referee
put an end to uneasy match.
Saying farewell to the team was FK Pacific’s top-shelf striker,
Wilmoth John-Baptiste, who played his last match that day.
Having a great season at PCSL with 6 goals scored, but unable to continue,
Wilmoth will spend the rest of the summer with his family in Alaska.
The team will await his return to the pitch in late August.
Game photos
FK Pacific (2) - Surrey United (0)
June 17 (Surrey, BC) - FK Pacific brings home another win after
battling Surrey United to a 2-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Leaving its entire starting line up of defenders in Seattle due to
college graduation ceremonies and injuries, FK Pacific’s coach
was going to use midfielders instead. The experiment
worked well as the backline had successfully sealed access to the
goal with quick plays and clearances. Playing a very physical game,
Surrey United was not going to let FK Pacific walk away without a fight.
In addition to entertaining verbal exchanges, the game saw its
share of yellow and red cards, mostly on the side of Surrey United.
The first goal of the match belonged to James Royston and gave
FK Pacific much needed time to gain confidence in the newly formed
defense line up. Not intimidated by Surrey’s rough plays, FK Pacific
continued to take shots on goal. Confirming the fact that a FK Pacific
came to win, Ebou Cham put his best foot forward with another
beautiful finish. This is Ebou’s 11th goal of the season.
Others to stand out were Nathan Salveson for fearless performance
in the goal, Isaiah Herrera in defense, Dariot Abaga in midfield
and Wilmoth John-Baptiste in front.
Game photos
FK Pacific (4) - PSSA Rapids (0)
June 13 (Seattle) - In a well played match by both sides, the
FK Pacific walked away with a 4-0 win against PSSA Rapids tonight
at Starfire Sports in Seattle.
From the first minutes of the match, it became obvious that
PSSA Rapids came to play, somewhat surprising FK Pacific with
creative plays and quick ball distribution. The Rapids without a
doubt gave great effort in this match. After battling the PSSA
Rapids to a scoreless tie in the first half, the FK Pacific had to
fight from behind and find ways of capitalizing on the
opportunities in the box.
Awarded a penalty kick in the first minutes of the second half,
effortlessly executed by Wilmoth John-Baptiste, FK Pacific
shook off the growing number of missed chances from the
disappointing first half and began to play its game by creating
havoc in the Rapids' defense. The rewards came with a beautiful
header by Chris Ross, who scored again shortly after and
came away with two goals. Own goal found the net of Rapids
to the total of 4 goals.
A show of good football by both teams in the second half was
briefly interrupted by the field lights being shut off for a few
minutes. The match resumed with even higher intensity as
teams continued to present their arsenals of skill.
Game photos
FK Pacific returns home with a comfortable 3-2 win.
June 11 (Langley, BC) - Playing in close to water polo conditions,
FK Pacific returns home with a 3-2 win over Fraser Valley Action FC.
Greeted by rain, lightning and thunder, the FK Pacific came out
and opened the match with a great goal by Ebou Cham, minutes later
followed by a long range blast fired by Ryan Dey in the back of the net.
As the first half drew to a close, the team was struggling with keeping the
ball at feet in such wet conditions. The second half began with a great
50 yard run by Nathan Ford and quality pass to Ryan Dey, who did not
hesitate to put the ball in the net.
Playing a bit sloppy in the second half, FK Pacific found themselves
defending the lead while keeping the goalkeeper, Nathan Salveson,
busy in the goal. The pressure and counter attacks by Fraser Valley
paid off with 2 goals scored before the final whistle.
Game photos
FK Pacific add another home victory
June 3 (Seattle) - The FK Pacific added another home victory to the
scoreboard by defeating visitors, Surrey United, 4 -2. Attacks began to
flow in the early minutes of match, as midfielders were pushing balls
through with good passes. The pressure paid off for FK Pacific with
Ebou Cham running away from Surrey defense and scoring 2 goals
in the first 15 minutes of the match.
Despite the early goals, it was obvious that the game wasn’t going
to be easy. Showing some gutsy defending and fast counter attacks,
Surrey United, began to challenge its opponents and create more
chances. A misjudgment by FK Pacific’s goalkeeper in the first-half
allowed Surrey to add a goal to the score (1-2). With both teams trying
to keep “possession” percentage to the maximum, the match saw some
great footwork, precision in passing, tight ball control and creative
team work. Then came the red card, a harsh call by the referee, which
both benches agreed was unnecessary, and Surrey found themselves
playing a man down.
The second half started off with an exchange of attacks. A change of
fresh legs in the midfield on FK Pacific’s side produced a number of
runs and shots on goal. Continuing to mount attacks after an attack,
Wilmoth John-Baptiste found the back of the net with a brilliant
20-yard shot (3-1). Playing almost better with 10 players, Surrey
replied with a goal of their own (2-3). Another great finish by Wilmoth
has sealed the score at 4-2.
The match was over, but again we had seen a great team effort, and a
fun game played between two clubs, who had put sportsmanship
at the top of their agenda.
Game photos
It's a Tie in Seattle
May 30 (Seattle) - What was expected to be a friendly match between
two home teams had turned into a battle for every ball and every
opportunity at the goal. Evenly skilled, FK Pacific & Hibernian Saints both
presented a parade of creative plays on the offense and smart plays in
the defense. Both teams traded numerous attacks while testing
goalkeepers at each end of the pitch throughout the game.
Beautiful saves by goalkeepers worthy of TV coverage kept the adrenalin
levels of players pumping high and sidelines quite vocal.
The first 20 minutes of the match belonged to Hibernian Saints
who mounted serious pressure on FK Pacific’s defense and kept
possession percentage in its court. The favor was returned triple-fold in
the second half of the match. The opening goal by Wilmoth John-Baptiste
of FK Pacific came from a counter attack followed by a 35 yard shot by
Ryan Dey and accompanied by a series of “one-on-one” chances
by Ebou Cham and Nathan Ford.
The equalizer came of a rebound inside the box that wasn’t cleared by
FK Pacific’s defenders resulting in a tie, 1-1. Pressure from each side
continued throughout the match. Showing good foot work and speed until
final whistle, FK & Hibs once again proved the fact that soccer is an
unpredictable 90 minute game.
Game Photos
FK Pacific overcomes Whitecaps Reserves
May 21 (Seattle) - FK Pacific extended their winning streak to three
games on Sunday at Memorial Stadium in Seattle with a 2-1 victory
against Whitecaps Reserves. It was the first home win of the season
for FK Pacific.
Following his instincts, coach Tona, took somewhat of a gamble by
starting 4 new players on Sunday. The experiment worked well.
FK Pacific, playing what’s becoming its trademark, “dominant,
physical game”, kept mixing things up while testing Whitecaps’s
structure and trying to get through the wings, the center, and
feeding the long ball to forwards. The effort paid off with a first half
goal by Ebou Cham. It was the seventh time in three games
Cham found the back of the net to give FK Pacific the early lead.
FK Pacific’s latest addition at the front line, Nathan Ford, has sealed
his debut with a great goal in the second half.
The Whitecaps Reserves are perhaps the toughest team in PCSL
that FK Pacific had to face so far, which made Sunday’s game far
more intense and interesting to watch. Showing impressive speed
and tight ball control skills, the Whitecaps played well and deserve
credit for good effort. Awarded with countless free-kicks, Whitecaps
showed good form but didn’t capitalize on the opportunities, although
testing FK Pacific’s goalkeeper, Nathan Salveson, a few times.
Their forwards struggled with the final touch needed to score goals.
As if realizing that the game is about to end at 0-2, Whitecaps mounted
series of attacks and doubled the pressure in the last 15 minutes of
the game resulting in a questionable goal awarded by the referee after
bicycle kick clearance by FK Pacific’s midfielder, Mark Williams, counted
as own goal. FK Pacific’s defense remained rock solid through the end
of the game, leaving Whitecaps with little opportunity to create and
finish attacks.
Winning at home is of the utmost importance, coach Tona said after
the game. This was a tough team to beat and we’ll look forward to playing
the Whitecaps again in July.
Game Photos
FK Pacific edged Penticton Pinnacles
May 14 (Pentincton, B.C.) - Arriving at Kings Park in Penticton, the team
was surprised to see a quite young line up of players on the side
of Penticton Pinnacles.
Do not underestimate your opponents and do not judge the team
by its appearance, said coach Tona. Testing the Pinnacles through the
first half, while trying to break through the center of Pinnacles’ midfielders
and defenders, did not work well. FK Pacific needed to change the strategy
in order to generate more opportunities in the box. They did just that.
The surprise switch of pressure zone from the center to wings in the
second half was another wise move on behalf of Prokop Tona and
resulted in FK Pacific scoring 3 goals within 15 minutes and leaving
Pinnacles no chance for recovery. Final whistle ended the battle at 3-0.
You’ve trained hard, you’ve played by system, you’ve shown great
teamwork, you deserve these victories, said Prokop Tona to the squad
before taking off on a long journey back to Seattle.
Press coverage - Penticton Herald
FK Pacific plods past Pinnacles
read this article
Game Photos
Playing by System
May 13 (Kelowna, B.C.) - Surviving the 6 hours drive from Seattle
to Kelowna through endless and breathtaking scenic views of Okanagan
county, FK Pacific was ready to take on the first competition of the PCSL
season, the Okanagan Challenge.
Following its signature “system style” of play, the team started off with
a high tempo offensive and never looked back. The combination of physical
defense, creative midfield, and deadly finishing touches has proven to be
the winning strategy for FK Pacific.
Under the watchful eye of its head coach, Prokop Tona, who has
implemented and trained the squad to PLAY AS ONE, the team had little
trouble outrunning Okanagan’s midfielders and defenders.
Creating an attack from the back and delivering the ball to Ebou Cham,
who seemed to be “on a roll” with 4 goals, accompanied by fellow strikers
Wilmoth John-Baptiste and Isaiah Herrera, resulted in a
4-3 victory for FK Pacific.
Press coverage - The Daily Courier (Kelowna)
Challenge swamped by FK Pacific
read this article
Game Photos
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