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Pacific FC–Vancouver FC rivalry

{{Short description|Soccer rivalry in Canada}}

{{Infobox sports rivalry

| name = Salish Sea Derby

| city or region = Coastal British Columbia

| team1 = Pacific FC

| team2 = Vancouver FC

| stadiums = Starlight Stadium
{{nowrap|Willoughby Community Park}}

| first contested = Pacific 1–0 Vancouver
CPL (April 15, 2023)

| total = 8

| most wins = Vancouver (5)

| series = Vancouver 5–0–3

| top scorer = Gabriel Bitar (3)

| mostrecent = Pacific 3–0 Vancouver
CPL (September 14, 2024)

| nextmeeting = 27 April 2025

| largestvictory = {{ubl|Vancouver 3–6 Pacific
CPL (June 2, 2023)|Pacific 3–0 Vancouver
CPL (September 14, 2024)}}

| currentstreak = Pacific (1)

}}

The Salish Sea Derby, also known as the BC Derby and Pacific FC–Vancouver FC rivalry, is a British Columbian intra-provincial soccer rivalry between Pacific FC of Langford, and Vancouver FC of Langley Township.{{cite news|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/new-pacific-fc-vancouver-fc-derby-to-kick-off-cpl-season-6449744|title=New Pacific FC-Vancouver FC derby to kick off CPL season|author=Cleve Dheensaw|publisher=Times Colonist|date=27 January 2023|access-date=21 January 2024}} They regularly compete with each other in the Canadian Premier League.

History

Pacific FC are an inaugural member of the Canadian Premier League, and played their first season in 2019. Despite having developed small and/or temporary rivalries with Cavalry FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the rivalries were considered secondary, as Cavalry would view their rivalries with FC Edmonton and Forge FC as being more important, while the Whitecaps played in a different league (MLS) completely. However, this would change following the foundation of Vancouver FC, a Canadian Premier League expansion team that started play in 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/this-market-is-ready-for-something-different-vancouver-fc-owner-rob-friend-on-the-vision-behind-the-cpls-newest-club|title='This market is ready for something different': Vancouver FC owner Rob Friend on the vision behind the CPL's newest club|author=Mitchell Tierney|date=2 November 2022|work=Canadian Premier League}}

The idea of a British Columbia derby or rivalry was quickly adopted by the league and supporters' groups of both clubs.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/pride-on-the-line-bc-derby-between-vancouver-fc-and-pacific-to-open-2023-cpl-season|title='Pride on the line': BC Derby between Vancouver FC and Pacific to open 2023 CPL season|author=Mitchell Tierney|website=canpl.ca|date=27 January 2023|access-date=21 January 2024}} In addition to their geographic proximity, the pair of clubs drew attention for sharing the same ownership group.{{cite web |title=Vancouver FC offers a look at its new modular Canadian Premier League stadium home |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/vancouver-fc-offers-a-look-at-its-new-modular-canadian-premier-league-stadium-home/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |publisher=Canadian Press |access-date=March 3, 2024 |date=February 9, 2023}} The first player to sign with Vancouver FC was Callum Irving who had been the starting goalkeeper for Pacific for the past three seasons.

In an attempt to further instigate the rivalry, the league scheduled Pacific FC and Vancouver FC to play their first match of the regular season against each other. Since Vancouver FC was an expansion team in their inaugural season, this match was also their first ever match as a team, excluding preseason friendlies. Pacific FC would win the first match of the rivalry 1–0 in front of 4,825 spectators at Starlight Stadium. The winning goal was scored by Manny Aparicio in the eighty-first minute, which was quickly followed by a provocative celebration in front of the traveling supporters' section.{{cite news|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/pacific-fc-vancouver-fc-derby-has-fire|title=Only a game old, the Pacific FC-Vancouver FC derby has some fire to it|author=J.J. Adams|publisher=The Province|date=1 June 2023|access-date=21 January 2024}}

As the season progressed, Pacific FC would stay near the top of the table, while Vancouver quickly fell into last place, having won only one league match in their first seven games. Pacific FC triumphed again in their second league game against Vancouver with a 6–3 away win. Vancouver FC's first win against Pacific occurred in their third meeting of the regular season. Despite Pacific being up 2–1 late in the game, Gabriel Bitar scored two late goals for Vancouver in the last fourteen minutes, including an 87th minute winner to give Vancouver a 3–2 victory.{{cite news|url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/we-re-not-going-to-quit-vancouver-fc-aiming-to-use-first-salish-sea-derby-win-as-catalyst-for-turnaround|title="We're not going to quit": Vancouver FC aiming to use first Salish Sea Derby win as catalyst for turnaround|author=Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic|publisher=OneSoccer|date=21 August 2023|access-date=4 February 2024}} A second win for Vancouver followed as they closed out their first season strongly, bringing the series to a tie with two wins apiece at the end of 2023.{{Cite web |title=AGR's High Press: How Vancouver FC is playing spoiler in playoff race despite elimination |url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/agr-s-high-press-how-vancouver-fc-is-playing-spoiler-in-playoff-race-despite-elimination |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=onesoccer.ca}}

Both teams started the 2024 season strongly, although the prolonged tussle for second place did not prevent Vancouver from notching up another two victories to take the lead in the series.{{Cite web |title=AGR's High Press: The Eagles soar to 2nd place after big derby win {{!}} Is it time to worry about Halifax? |url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/agr-s-high-press-the-eagles-soar-to-2nd-place-after-big-derby-win-is-it-time-to-worry-about-halifax |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=onesoccer.ca}}{{Cite web |title=AGR's High Press: Ottawa and Forge combine for ANOTHER CPL classic {{!}} Vancouver continue to shine in derbies |url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/agr-s-high-press-ottawa-and-forge-combine-for-another-cpl-classic-vancouver-continues-derby-dominance-over-pacific |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=onesoccer.ca}} As both teams faded in the latter half of the season, the fight became one to stay in playoffs contention, with Vancouver securing yet another narrow win at home to bring their series winning streak to five games,{{Cite web |title=POWER RANKINGS: York United continues to soar as Cavalry, Forge quietly surge |url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/power-rankings-york-united-continues-to-soar-as-cavalry-forge-quietly-surge |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=onesoccer.ca}} a run that was ended by a strong 3–0 Pacific victory at home in the last derby match of the season, a result that helped them pip Vancouver to the final playoffs spot.{{Cite web |title=AGR's High Press: Forge's road woes continue as the race for fifth place heats up |url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/agr-s-high-press-forge-s-road-woes-continue-as-the-race-for-fifth-place-heats-up |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=onesoccer.ca}}

Statistics

= Head-to-head record =

{{updated|September 14, 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2" |

! rowspan="2" | Matches

! colspan="2" | Wins

! rowspan="2" | Draws

! colspan="2" | Goals

PACVFC PACVFC
Canadian Premier League

| 8 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 15 || 13

Total matches

! 8 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 15 || 13

= Honours =

class="wikitable" margin:auto;"
style="color:white; background-color:#00b7bd;" width="100" |Pacific FC

!Competition

!style="color:white; background-color:#696969;" width="100" |Vancouver FC

style="text-align:center;"

style="text-align:center;"

| 1

CPL Championships—
style="text-align:center;"

| —

CPL Shield—
style="text-align:center;"

| —

Canadian Championship—
align="center"

! 1

Aggregate0

Results

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%"

|+Legend

style="background:#00b7bd;"|{{white|Pacific FC win}}
style="background:#696969;"|{{white|Vancouver FC win}}
style="background:#FFFFBB;" | Tie

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 85%"
SeasonCompetitionDateHome teamResultAway teamVenueAttendance{{abbr|Series|won–drawn–lost}}Recap
rowspan="4"| 2023

| rowspan="4"| Canadian Premier League

| {{dts|2023|04|15}}

| Pacific

| style="text-align:center; background:#00b7bd;"|{{white|1–0}}

| Vancouver

| Starlight Stadium

| 4,825

| style="background:#00b7bd;"|{{white|PAC 1–0–0}}

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/dv8zjj8lio2jjeac7mv3snlsk/preview]

{{dts|2023|06|02}}

| Vancouver

| style="text-align:center; background:#00b7bd;"|{{white|3–6}}

| Pacific

| Willoughby Community Park

| 3,438

| style="background:#00b7bd;"|{{white|PAC 2–0–0}}

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/e3g591xu5wmmvdaufpv2fjhg4/highlights]

{{dts|2023|08|19}}

| Vancouver

| style="text-align:center; background:#696969;"|{{white|3–2}}

| Pacific

| Willoughby Community Park

| 2,363

| style="background:#00b7bd;"|{{white|PAC 2–0–1}}

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/egwpc46414csjig8b443i60ic/highlights]

{{dts|2023|09|30}}

| Pacific

| style="text-align:center; background:#696969;"|{{white|1–2}}

| Vancouver

| Starlight Stadium

| 4,404

| style="background:#FFFFBB;" | Tied 2–0–2

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/eopx53wec2q7i1d7pszybfaj8/highlights]

rowspan="4"| 2024

| rowspan="4"| Canadian Premier League

| {{dts|2024|05|25}}

| Vancouver

| style="text-align:center; background:#696969;"|{{white|2–1}}

| Pacific

| Willoughby Community Park

| 3,127

| style="background:#696969;"|{{white|VFC 3–0–2}}

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/9zdpsomgjdk714mfmwqt7bh1w/highlights]

{{dts|2024|06|27}}

| Pacific

| style="text-align:center; background:#696969;"|{{white|1–2}}

| Vancouver

| Starlight Stadium

| 3,255

| style="background:#696969;"|{{white|VFC 4–0–2}}

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/a6rwvq7xua2qh8cg44zprx4wk/highlights]

{{dts|2024|08|11}}

| Vancouver

| style="text-align:center; background:#696969;"|{{white|1–0}}

| Pacific

| Willoughby Community Park

| 3,258

| style="background:#696969;"|{{white|VFC 5–0–2}}

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/ah4wdtpwvegglz62adgf2q7f8/highlights]

{{dts|2024|09|14}}

| Pacific

| style="text-align:center; background:#00b7bd;"|{{white|3–0}}

| Vancouver

| Starlight Stadium

| 2,807

| style="background:#696969;"|{{white|VFC 5–0–3}}

| [https://canpl.ca/matchcentre/apktm3cfdcvgx7kizis9v8sno/highlights]

rowspan="5"| 2025

| Canadian Premier League

| {{dts|2025|04|26}}

| Vancouver

| –

| Pacific

| Willoughby Community Park

| –

| –

| –

Canadian Championship

| {{dts|2025|05|06}}

| Pacific

| –

| Vancouver

| Starlight Stadium

| –

| –

| –

rowspan="3"| Canadian Premier League

| {{dts|2025|06|27}}

| Pacific

| –

| Vancouver

| Starlight Stadium

| –

| –

| –

{{dts|2025|08|10}}

| Vancouver

| –

| Pacific

| Willoughby Community Park

| –

| –

| –

{{dts|2025|09|13}}

| Pacific

| –

| Vancouver

| Starlight Stadium

| –

| –

| –

League ranking by season

{{dablink|This section only includes season results when both teams were playing in the Canadian Premier League. For Pacific FC's season results prior to 2023, see List of Pacific FC seasons.}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size:80%"
rowspan=2|{{abbr|P.|Position}}

!colspan=2|2023

!colspan=2|2024

width="40" |Season

!width="40" |Playoffs

!width="40" |Season

!width="40" |Playoffs

1

| ||

| ||

2

| ||

| ||

3

| || style="background-color:#00b7bd"|{{white|SF}}

| ||

4

| style="background-color:#00b7bd"|{{white|4}} ||

| ||

5

| ||

| style="background-color:#00b7bd"|{{white|5}} || style="background-color:#00b7bd"|{{white|PI}}

6

| || rowspan="3" style="background-color:silver"|

| || rowspan="3" style="background-color:silver"|

7

| style="background-color:#696969"|{{white|7}}

| style="background-color:#696969"|{{white|7}}

8

|

|

Player Statistics

=Goalscorers=

{{updated|September 14, 2023}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
width=15|{{Tooltip|Rank|Rank}}

!width=15|{{Tooltip|Pos|Position}}

!width=15|{{Tooltip|Nat|Nationality}}

!width=200|Name

!width=80|PAC

!width=80|VFC

!width=80|Total

1

|MF

|{{flagicon|LBN}}

|Gabriel Bitar

|

|3

|3

rowspan="8" |2

|MF

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Manny Aparicio

|2

|

|2

FW

|{{flagicon|MEX}}

|Alejandro Díaz

|

|2

|2

MF

|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Moses Dyer

|1

|1

|2

MF

|{{flagicon|PER|variant=football}}

|Vasco Fry

|

|2

|2

DF

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Thomas Meilleur-Giguère

|2

|

|2

FW

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Easton Ongaro

|2

|

|2

FW

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Ayman Sellouf

|2

|

|2

FW

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Dario Zanatta

|2

|

|2

rowspan="9" |7

|MF

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Elage Bah

|

|1

|1

MF

|{{flagicon|HAI}}

|Mikaël Cantave

|

|1

|1

FW

|{{flagicon|NED}}

|Djenairo Daniels

|1

|

|1

DF

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Amer Didić

|1

|

|1

MF

|{{flagicon|WAL}}

|Josh Heard

|1

|

|1

FW

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Shaan Hundal

|

|1

|1

MF

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Min-jae Kwak

|

|1

|1

MF

|{{flagicon|GAM}}

|Kekuta Manneh

|1

|

|1

MF

|{{flagicon|CAN}}

|Taryck Tahid

|

|1

|1

colspan="4" |Totals

|15

|13

|28

Players who played for both clubs

{{updated|August 18, 2024}}

=Pacific, then Vancouver=

  • {{flagicon|CAN}} Kadin Chung (Pacific: 2019–2021, Vancouver: 2023–present)
  • {{flagicon|CAN}} Callum Irving (Pacific: 2022–2022, Vancouver: 2023–present)
  • {{flagicon|CAN}} Alejandro Díaz (Pacific: 2020–2022, Vancouver: 2023–present)
  • {{flagicon|NED}} Ayman Sellouf (Pacific: 2023-present, Vancouver (loan): 2024–present)

= Vancouver, then Pacific =

  • {{flagicon|NZL}} Moses Dyer (Vancouver: 2024–present, Pacific (loan): 2024–present)

References

{{reflist}}

{{Pacific FC}}

{{Vancouver FC}}

{{United States-Canada soccer rivalries}}

{{Canadian Premier League}}

Category:Soccer rivalries in Canada

Category:Canadian Premier League

Category:Soccer in British Columbia

Vancouver FC

Pacific FC

Category:2023 establishments in British Columbia

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2023