Misfortune leads Valour to 0-2 start

Posted: 2:00 AM CDT Monday, Apr. 22, 2024

Winnipeg’s pro soccer squad found nothing but misfortune in British Columbia to begin the 2024 Canadian Premier League campaign.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Winnipeg’s pro soccer squad found nothing but misfortune in British Columbia to begin the 2024 Canadian Premier League campaign.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/04/2024 (888 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg’s pro soccer squad found nothing but misfortune in British Columbia to begin the 2024 Canadian Premier League campaign.

Valour FC suffered a 2-0 defeat to Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium in Victoria on Friday.

Winnipeg had a sound first half but came up empty and then surrendered a pair of second-half goals to fall for the second time in as many starts this season.

Valour opened the CPL campaign in Vancouver with a 4-1 defeat on April 14.

The club returned to the Manitoba capital Sunday to train for Saturday’s match with Forge FC in Hamilton. It will be its third of seven consecutive games on the road, as new turf is installed at Princess Auto Stadium on the University of Manitoba campus.

Josh Heard beat Valour keeper Jonathan Viscosi in the 48th minute for Pacific, while Sean Young boosted the lead in the 79th minute.

Valour defender Abdou Samake noted while the team showed definite signs of improvement, there are areas that need attention.

“We keep working every week,” said Samake. “We have little details we need to fix. We know that. We started the game on the front foot and were very aggressive in winning a lot of balls high. The mistakes for the goal were one of those tactical mistakes we often talk about. It’s one thing we know we have to deal with in order to be successful in our system.

“It’s a long season. Obviously, we’re very frustrated and disappointed. Now we go back to the drawing board, we keep working and in the next one we’re going to be even better and the next one after that we’re going to be even better and sharper.

“It’s game two. We keep working. We’re in here for the long run. We have big objectives. We move forward.”

Valour fullback/wing Roberto Alarcón was injured in the first half and did not return.

The team hopes to have midfielder Raphael Ohin and centre back Tass Mourdoukoutas available for next weekend.

— Free Press staff