91原创's professional soccer team is on the field in this afternoon's heat, attempting to defeat the visiting York United FC in what they're calling a beach party-themed match at Willoughby Stadium.
But to get in the spirit for today's game, earlier this week Vancouver Football Club (VFC) Eagles took to the banks of the Fraser River for a pre-beach party of sorts.
Approximately 20 people from VFC and the Fraser Valley Fanatics, including five Eagles players, took part in a river clean up in Fort 91原创 on Monday, collecting garbage and debris along the shores for about an hour.
This was the first of what is expected to be more such river clean up efforts, designed to bring awareness to the human impact on the surrounding nature and communities while also celebrating the beauty of the province, explained Katelyn White, VFC's public relations and communications coordinator.
"It is just an example of a community initiative dVFC is doing around our neighbourhoods," she added.
The Eagles are half way through their longest homestand of the 2024 season, with three consecutive matches played on their home pitch in Willoughby. They previously hosted the Atletico Ottawa a little more than a week ago, falling 3-0, and now their taking on another Eastern rival from Toronto. Saturday's game began at 3 p.m.
Today's match up is the first time that York has visited Willoughby Stadium this season, after the Eagles played two previous games at York Lions Stadium. In the last meeting between these two sides, VFC fought their way back twice to earn a point in the 2-2 draw. And, in the first game this season against York back in April, the Eagles lost 0-3.
Now, Vancouver will be looking to dig deep and earn the all-important three points against York in today's matinee game. At half time in Saturday's game, neither team had yet to score.
Their counting on VFC鈥檚 goalkeeper Callum Irving to help make that possible.
Fans will be watching his play today. Irving made four saves in the club鈥檚 match last week against ATO for a total of 43 stops this season in all competitions. The native of Vancouver鈥檚 41 saves in league play now ranks him first in the CPL for saves, leaving by one to VFC鈥檚 next opponent, York's T. Vincensini.
NEW SIGNING
A day before the York re-match, the Eagles announced signing of midfielder Olivier Rommens.
Vancouver is Rommens first non-European club the native of Belgium has represented in his career after playing in Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, and Matla, announced VFC head coach Afshin Ghotbi.
They have been targetting an experienced midfielder for several weeks, and Ghotbi was excited to confirm the signing Friday.
"We're really happy to have him," the coach shared little more than 24 hours before kick off.
"I know a little bit about him, and I feel hopefully he will be a good fit in helping our team bring a little more consistency in the middle of the park," Ghotbi shared.
Rommens, 29, is a seasoned veteran of the game playing the majority of his 10-year career in the Dutch football system, before also gaining experience in other European countries including Lithuania, Estonia, and Malta. Rommens joins Vancouver from Balzan FC of the Maltese Premier League where he has spent the last seven months.
With 14 matches under their belt this season as they near the halfway point, Ghotbi was optimistic about the team's performance on Saturday and moving into the latter half of the year.
"Looking at it in a more positive tone, last season we won only eight games. Already [this season] we've won five. Last year, I think we got 28 points. Already we are scratching at 20. I feel that we are very competitive in every game鈥�," Ghotbi said.
While he acknowledged there is still a lack of experience that probably accounts for the loses they have noted so far this season, and there's going to be ups and downs that come with such a new (1.5 years old) club, he remains confident that by staying positive and looking for solutions 鈥� including the signing of Rommens to the infield 鈥� this club will do well.
"I'm very optimistic because I believe in the team. We have a very interesting group pf players. They're all growing and maturing at different rates, and it's my responsibility to put all the loses on my shoulder and take it to heart, and try to take that pressure off of my players and try to help them stay positive and to help them regroup, and have a great game (today), and build off of that," he elaborated.
"I think what I am happy about is our resilience, our spirit, our ability to create chances and score goals."
Next up, the Eagles host Calgary's Cavalry FC next Friday, July 26, at Willoughby Stadium. That will be followed by an away game Aug. 5 in Halifax against the Wanderers.
