Pacific FC will host a CPL exhibition match against Vancouver FC on March 16 at Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Stadium in Nanaimo. (Pacific FC)

By Dan Marshall

Island Connected

Victoria-based Pacific FC to play exhibition soccer match in Nanaimo

Mar 16, 2024 | 5:58 AM

NANAIMO — Pacific FC will bring their brand of Canadian Premier League soccer to the Harbour City.

The team will host Vancouver FC in a free exhibition match on Saturday, March 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium.

Coach James Merriman is looking forward to bringing the team to his hometown of Nanaimo.

“That was always the goal right from the start. To travel the island, connect with the island, get into Nanaimo, Campbell River and up north on the island. We want to grow our fan base and we know the NDSS is a new turf field and they’ve done really well there with Harbourside FC.”

Nanaimo fans will have the chance to watch one of the strongest clubs in the CPL as Pacific FC was one game away from advancing to the league final in 2023.

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“This is where we want to be as a club fighting for championships every season,” Merriman said. “We’ve qualified for the playoffs the last four seasons and we won a championship in 2021. That’s where our sights are set for 2024 and we also want to get back into the CONCACAF champions cup and play those big international games.”

The Pacific FC roster is comprised mostly of Canadian players including some homegrown talent from Vancouver Island.

Merriman hopes to see more island athletes on the roster in the future.

“We’re built for the island pathway of player development. We want to continue to have that awareness of what players might be coming through at Nanaimo United, VIU and the League 1 team. But more north as well Campbell River and Powell River have always had good footballers. We want to continue to identify players and ultimately have players push their way through to Pacific.”

Pacific FC will open their regular season Apr. 13 at home against the Halifax Wanderers.

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