Match Preview: Atlético Ottawa V. Pacific FC – 7pm Saturday

May 5, 2023 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release

Pacific FC return to the ground where their 2022 season was ended for their first road match of the 2023 campaign on Saturday night. The Tridents were eliminated in the semi-finals of last year’s playoffs at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa after a 1-1 draw on October 23, which meant a 3-1 loss on aggregate.

“I don’t know about revenge, but definitely motivated, and definitely motivation for the match,” said Pacific FC coach James Merriman heading into this weekend’s match. “The last time we played here, and also going off the last two matches that we have played, second half against Cavalry and second half against Forge, We were doing everything but the final act. So I would say the group is extremely motivated for the game.”

Goals have not been plentiful for any side so far this season in the Canadian Premier League, but that is especially true of Ottawa and Pacific, who have just two goals each so far this season.

For Pacific, it seems like only a matter of time before they regress to the mean. They are currently second in the league in expected goals (4.2), while leading the league with a stunning 53 shot attempts and 109 touches in the opposition box through three matches.

Ottawa, meanwhile, is at the other end in all of these categories, sitting last in expected goals (2.23), tied for last in total shots (28), and only 49 touches registered in the opposition box. To be fair to Atleti, sustained offensive pressure has never been part of the club’s game under Carlos González, as they finish last season sixth in expected goals and eighth in penalty area entries. The finishing this year, however, just hasn’t been there so far as a number of the side’s new attacking players try to adapt to a system that largely sees them get less touches and chances – not to mention more defending, than they are probably. used to having.

Pacific will get a big boost on Saturday as Merriman declared Manny Aparicio 100 per cent fit after a cameo off the bench last weekend. That leaves Pierre Lamothe as the only player who remains on the sidelines for the Tridents, who is still day-to-day and has yet to make his debut for Pacific this season.

There was good news out of Ottawa camp as well, with key defender Diego Espejo, who was removed in stoppage time due to injury against York United last weekend, returning to full training on Friday. He is expected to be available for Saturday’s match. Carl Haworth…