No one could have scripted it better than what Vancouver FC’s Paris Gee was able to accomplish in his homecoming game on Sunday, Apr. 14. The Eagles were able to celebrate at Willoughby Park over a dominant 4-1 win against Valour FC in their home opener with Gee emerging as one of the best players of the match, and was awarded as such on Sunday. 

On Monday, the Canadian Premier League (CPL) released their best XI for the first week in 2024 which featured Gee alongside VFC teammates Gabriel Bitar and Alejandro ‘Wero’ Díaz. Now, Gee has completed the trifecta by earning the CPL’s Player of the Week honour for Matchweek #1.

Gee made his debut for his professional hometown club in front of nearly 80 friends and family members who were cheering from the stands. That hometown support, which now many of VFC’s players are getting to experience for the first time, propelled Gee and the squad to crawl back from being down 1-0 to scoring four straight goals, which included Gee’s first with the Eagles.

The 29-year-old winger opened his account with VFC in the 47th minute on Sunday, rocketing home a top-corner goal from outside the 18-yard box that just brushed the fingers of Valour goalkeeper Jonathan Viscosi. Gee’s first goal with the Eagles would be the eventual game-winner but he wasn’t done yet.

Just five minutes later, Gee impacted the scoresheet once again, this time setting up Bitar at the top of the box where he faked Valour’s defence before sending the ball flying into the bottom corner of the net. The Burnaby boy spent the full 90-minute match running up and down the flanks to lead the team in passes in the final third with 21 and co-led VFC in winning six of his nine duels.

The story is only getting started for Gee as he has another 13 matches where he’ll get to play with the love and support from his family and friends which might help to create some more storybook endings. For now, Gee and the squad are looking ahead to their next match on Thursday, Apr. 18 against Halifax Wanderers FC. Tickets to the 7 p.m. match can be purchased online here.