Week in Soccer Review, July 2nd 2019

This Week in Vancouver Island Soccer... Canadian Premier League: Pacific FC decided to go out with a bang by beating Spring Season Champions Cavalry FC at home 3-1. Cavalry didn't bring their best team and instead opted to give some of their younger players some minutes, but the win at home did a lot for struggling Pacific's morale. This decisive win bumped Pacific FC's final spot in the Spring Season to 5th place, with poor Valour FC winning the Spring Wooden Spoon, should that ever be a thing. (it should totally be a thing) We don't have to wait long for more CPL action, as the Fall Season starts on Saturday (3 PM) with a rematch at Westhills Stadium against Calgary once again. This time, one would imagine Tommy Wheeldon to field his best team hoping to get an early start on the new season. We'll be hoping that lightning will strike twice and we'll be sending the Cavalry in full retreat back to Alberta with zero points. Be sure to drop by our tailgate, starting at noon! USL League 2, Northwest Division: It was a decent week overall for the Victoria Highlanders as they made their way down the Oregon Trail, taking on Timbers U23s and Lane United. VHFC managed to scoop up 3 points from the Timbers with a 2-0 scoreline, with Ngabo Shumbusho coming away with a brace and Trevor Schneider with a clean sheet. Just two days later, on Sunday, the Highlanders dropped points to Lane United in a tight 1-0 loss. However, this puts the Victoria Highlanders at the top of the Northwest Division standings with 19 points, tied with Lane United but still coming out ahead on games won. The Highlanders' final home game is this Friday at Centennial Stadium, kickoff is 7:15 PM. They'll be facing TSS Rovers in the final leg of the Juan de Fuca Plate competition, which will be awarded after the game. In case you haven't been following that, the Highlanders lead the competition on a 1-0 aggregate. Because of away goal rules, a nil-nil result, a draw or better for the Highlanders would bring the plate home to Victoria. Also, as it's the last home match, the Lake Side Buoys will be presenting their Supporters' Choice Player of the Year Award! Who is the award going to? Go to the game and vote for your favorite player! WPSL, Northwest Conference: The ladies of Vancouver Island FC played Eugene Timbers FC Azul on Sunday, picking up all three points in a 4-0 shutout. This puts them on a four-game winning streak that has them sitting at third place in the very competitive conference with 15 points. Seattle Sounders Women ran away with the table with 7 wins and 1 loss netting them 21 points, well ahead of second place Spokane SC Shadow's 15 points. (And VIFC's 15 points) VIFC plays their final game at home this Saturday at Goudy Turf Field at 12:15 PM against the Vancouver TSS Rovers. A win here would lock in Vancouver Island FC's second place spot in the conference and give us some bragging rights over the Rovers. If you're headed to Westhills on Saturday anyway for Pacific FC, why not arrive early, get better parking and make it a double header? Pacific Coast Soccer League: You thought I forgot about the Highlanders' PCSL team, didn't you? Though it's not a league for spectators, I do like to keep an eye on it. Victoria's Reserve Highlanders team is currently at the top of the table, tied on points with FC Tigers Vancouver. That situation won't remain that way however as the Highlanders have 3 games in hand over their second place rivals. I'm smelling some playoff possibilities! Who wants to head over to Vancouver and be threatened with arrest for bringing a drum to a football match again? Anyone? And now you're all caught up.