Langley’s new soccer team hits the road again

Vancouver FC players have another day of practice on their home pitch at Willoughby Stadium before hitting the road.

The first of two away games for the new Langley-based profession soccer team will be in Calgary this Sunday, followed by a game the following weekend in Ottawa.

Vancouver takes on Cavalry FC in the first meeting at ATCO Field in Calgary Sunday afternoon – the kickoff is at 2 p.m. Fans can catch the match through OneSoccer.ca.

This will be the second contest between these two teams. Vancouver previously hosting Cavalry at VFC’s inaugural home opener last month, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Vancouver will face a tough venue on Sunday as Calgary is currently undefeated on its home pitch, said VFC’s head coach Afshin Ghotbi.

Nevertheless, his team is looking to leap-frog Cavalry FC in the standings, Calgary sitting two points ahead of VFC.

This weekend’s Alberta game comes on the heels of VFC’s first derby against Pacific FC, where the match set a new Canadian Premier League (CPL) record for most goals in a game (9).

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That game at Willoughby Stadium was a night of more first. In fact, as to be expected, the 2023 season continues to be a season of firsts for VFC players, with three milestones being hit in the match against PAC.

READ MORE WITH VIDEO: A league record number of goals, but no win for Vancouver FC against Pacific FC in Langley

Min-jae Kwak scored his first CPL goal in the 7th minute and Maple Ridge’s own T.J. Tahid, 16, scored his first professional career goal in added time to become the youngest goal scorer in CPL history.

Additionally, Lennon Thompson (a developmental player) made his professional debut being substituted into the match for Elliot Simmons in the 88th minute.

Speaking of Simmons, he’s going to be visiting ol’ stomping grounds Sunday. He will return to his former home stadium in Calgary. It’s the first time back, since leaving Cavalry FC at the end of the 2022 season.

Based in Langley, Vancouver FC was founded last year and kicked off its first Canadian Premier League season in mid-April with the first ever game against the Vancouver Island Pacific FC (1-0).

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