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Three VFC stars named to CPL Team of the Week for Matchweek #1
April 15, 2024

Vancouver FC kick started their second Canadian Premier League (CPL) campaign with a bang, opening the season with a dominant 4-1 victory over Valour FC at home in Willoughby Park. Three of the four goal scorers were new additions to the squad in the off-season, including Moses Dyer, David Norman, and Paris Gee, with Gabriel Bitar registering his first goal in 2024 as well.

From the powerful team effort and thrilling performance on Sunday, Vancouver now sits at the top of the CPL table for the first time in franchise history and it is no surprise that VFC is represented in the CPL’s first Team of the Week for 2024. Gee, Bitar, and Alejandro ‘Wero’ Díaz all earned their first recognition of the season as the league’s best this week.

Gee made his homecoming debut a night he won’t soon forget, scoring his first goal for his hometown professional team in the 47th minute in front of friends and family. Just over five minutes later, the 29-year-old winger would contribute to the scoreboard once again, this time with an assist on Bitar’s marker.

Gee joined VFC in January from York United FC and quickly became a consistent fixture throughout the club’s pre-season. He earned his first start with VFC on Sunday and played the full 90-minutes with his efforts being recognized as the Player of the Match.

Bitar had a slow start to his inaugural year with the Eagles in 2023 but found momentum in the second half of the season scoring six goals, including the club’s first brace in franchise history and scoring in back-to-back games twice. That momentum has seemed to carry into this new year for Bitar who registered both a goal and an assist in VFC’s home opener.

The 25-year-old midfielder first connected on Gee’s goal at the start of the second half and then found the back of the net himself in the 53rd minute to bring VFC up by two goals over Valour at that time. Bitar’s goal was his seventh with Vancouver which now solely puts him as the franchises’ top goalscorer, breaking away from Shaan Hundal who tied Bitar at the end of 2023 with six goals apiece.

Díaz was one of the few players to not find the back of the net in VFC’s home opener, but the Mexican attacker was instrumental to the play on Sunday earning two assists in the game. Díaz registered his first helper with the Eagles on Dyer’s opening goal to bring VFC even with Valour at that time. Then for good measure, the 28-year-old striker set up Norman to score in his homecoming game and helped to seal the victory as the fourth and final goal.

Díaz shared team-highs with Bitar for both shots on target with two and chances created (3). 

After the high of VFC’s home opener, the team will have to turn their sights on the fast-approaching match against Halifax Wanderers FC on Thursday, April 18th. It will be Vancouver’s last home match before heading on a three-game road trip which includes the club’s second Canadian Championship appearance. Kick off for Thursday’s game at Willoughby Park is 7 p.m. PT and fans can purchase their tickets online here or in person at the Langley Event Centre.