RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Pacific FC vs. Vancouver FC | Sept. 13, 2025

As has been the case for all of 2025, the Salish Sea derby continued to deliver late drama, and the fifth and final matchup between Pacific FC and Vancouver FC was no exception on Saturday, giving plenty for the fans at Victoria's Royal Athletic Park to enjoy.

The hosts left it late, but Pacific were eventually able to claw out a 1-1 draw deep into second-half stoppage time thanks to a goal from Aly Ndom, who cancelled out a first-half penalty goal from Vancouver's Hugo Mbongue with his late finish.

Pacific almost carved out an advantage in the 15th minute, as Dario Zanatta found the head of Alejandro Díaz with a great cross, but Díaz's header would be kept out by a nice diving save from Vancouver's Callum Irving.

Then, Zanatta had an even better chance to open the scoring in the 26th minute, as he got on the end of a great flick from Aly Ndom on a corner, but his close-range header would also be kept out by another great reflex save from Irving.

At the other end, Vancouver had a decent chance from distance, as Vasco Fry wrapped his foot around a curled shot, glancing it just past the post. Then, shortly after, Pathé Ndiaye did well to cut inside and fire a left-footed shot from distance, but he also flashed a low shot just wide of the post.

That Vancouver pressure would eventually pay off, though, as the visitors found an opening goal right before half time. After a dangerous run from Matteo Campagna into the box, he'd be fouled by Georges Mukimbilwa to earn his team a penalty, one that Hugo Mbongue would easily convert to make it 1-0.

On the other side of half time, Pacific finally had a good look at goal in the 55th minute after a bit of a slow start, but Aly Ndom curled a dangerous long-range free-kick attempt just over the crossbar.

Shortly after, though, Pacific had their best chance of the game, but were unable to capitalize on it. After another dangerous set-piece, Sean Young headed a shot towards goal, one that Irving parried right into the path of Mukumbilwa. From there, the Pacific full back looked to atone for his earlier foul by scoring a goal, but his goalbound shot would be blocked by his own teammate, Zanatta, who couldn't get out of the way in time.

Vancouver nearly made them pay for those missed opportunities in the 81st minute, too, as Michel Cavalcante had a shot from distance after a scramble in Pacific's box, but his curled attempt slammed into the upright of the crossbar.

Eager to nab a point, Pacific nearly found an equalizer to start second half stoppage time, as Alejandro Díaz had a good chance to turn home a cross, but his shot would be right at Irving. Moments later, Marco Bustos had a great chance in the box after a scramble in the box, but he also sent his shot wide despite Irving being out of position.

Eventually, though, Pacific's pressure would pay off in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as the ball fell to Ndom inside of the box, and he'd make no mistake with a right-footed finish to finally give Pacific their first goal, securing a point for his side in the end.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Pacific FC: Melvin; Chung, Baldisimo, Ndom, Mukumbilwa (Greco-Taylor 64'); Juhmi (Vales 78'), Young (Daniels 64'); Heard (Toualy 64'), Bustos, Zanatta (Keshavarz 82'); Díaz

Vancouver FC: Irving; Dada-Luke, Campagna, O'Connor, Gee; Campbell (Bah 68'), Fotsing, Fry (Cavalcante 46'), Herdman (Powell 88'); Ndiaye (Mezquida 68'), Mbongue (Ouattara 90')

Goals

45' -- Hugo Mbongue (Vancouver FC) (Penalty)

90+4' -- Aly Ndom (Pacific FC)

Discipline

34' — Yellow: Pathé Ndiaye (Vancouver FC)

38' — Yellow: Georges Mukumbilwa (Pacific FC)

46' — Yellow: Aly Ndom (Pacific FC)

90+5' — Yellow: Kunle Dada-Luke (Vancouver FC)