Two thousand one hundred and sixty-eight days.
That鈥檚 how long it鈥檚 been since Pacific FC first kicked a ball in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). It sounds like a long time 鈥� and in pro sports, it is 鈥� but for the Tridents, it鈥檚 felt like a blink.
Saturday at 5 p.m., they return to where it all began 鈥� Starlight Stadium in Langford 鈥� to kick off their seventh CPL season against Valour FC. And while much has changed since their inaugural match, and even more since their 2021 championship, one thing remains constant: the hunger to win.
Four seasons ago, the club lifted the North Star Cup against perennial powerhouse Forge FC. While that historic squad has mostly turned over, a familiar core and a few returning faces have Pacific fans dreaming of glory again.
Captain Josh Heard, now entering his fifth season with the club, remains a steady force. Alongside him is James Merriman, who鈥檚 been on the sidelines since day one and is now entering his third full season as head coach.
But perhaps the biggest story heading into the season is the return of two major players from that 2021 championship: Marco Bustos and Kadin Chung.
Bustos, a dynamic attacker and fan favourite, re-joins Pacific after a stint in Sweden鈥檚 top division with IFK Varnamo. Standing at 5鈥�5", Bustos returns as one of the most electrifying players in CPL history 鈥� and ranks fourth all-time in goals for Pacific FC.
Chung, the club鈥檚 inaugural signing in 2019, brings defensive stability and experience after time with Toronto FC and rival Vancouver FC. Together with Heard and Merriman, they form a leadership group full of familiarity, grit, and ambition.
鈥淗aving those guys back 鈥� it鈥檚 huge,鈥� Heard said during Thursday鈥檚 media availability. 鈥淣ot just for what they bring on the field, but for the leadership and energy they bring to the room. It鈥檚 like Christmas Eve right now. Everyone鈥檚 buzzing.鈥�
Pacific鈥檚 attacking core has been overhauled, with several new additions aimed at solving one of last year鈥檚 biggest issues: finishing. The Tridents tallied a league-low 27 goals last season.
鈥淲e struggled to score last year. It鈥檚 no secret,鈥� Heard admitted. 鈥淭his year, we鈥檝e worked on it. We鈥檝e added talent. And we鈥檝e built chemistry. It won鈥檛 be perfect on day one, but it鈥檚 coming.鈥�
Midfielders Lukas Browning-Lagerfeldt, Daniel de Pauli Oliveira, and Sean Young have all looked sharp in preseason. According to Merriman, the new group has gelled well and shown the 鈥渁ggressive personality in the final third鈥� missing in 2024.
There鈥檚 already been adversity 鈥� veteran keeper Sean Melvin was sidelined during preseason with an injury. But Merriman remains optimistic.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not a long-term issue,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hopeful he鈥檒l be available by the second match.鈥� In the meantime, Max Anchor will get the nod, with familiar face Daniel Zadravec signed to a short-term deal.
There鈥檚 also been change off the pitch, with Ross Marshall stepping in as managing director. He replaces Paul Beirne, who will remain with the club through April to ensure a smooth transition.
鈥淚鈥檝e watched the league grow from the start,鈥� said Marshall. 鈥淎nd I鈥檝e seen how Pacific FC has become a part of this community. I鈥檓 honoured to help take it forward.鈥�
The April 5 opener is a test. Valour FC arrives with a new look and plenty to prove. But if Pacific can carry their preseason form into match day, and with Bustos and Chung back in purple, it feels like the band is getting back together.
鈥淟ast year ended early for me,鈥� said Heard. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a little extra hunger now. The motivation鈥檚 always been there. It鈥檚 time to go.鈥�
