Vancouver FC found their footing as May moved along, beginning with a loss at Cavalry but quickly turning the table to secure a draw and two wins by the end of the Salish Sea Derby against Pacific. Much of the pivoting performance was a team effort but there was one player who got the momentum shifting with a grounding presence between the posts: Captain Callum Irving. For his efforts over the month of May, Irving has earned the Canadian Premier League’s (CPL) Goalkeeper of the Month, presented by Allstate.

Irving was put to the test throughout May, facing a total of 71 shots from all opponents with 18 of those hitting the target. The 31-year-old goalkeeper was able to make 12 saves and registered a season-high of five stops in Vancouver’s 1-1 draw against Atlético Ottawa on May 12.

The match on May 12 was a defining moment for the Eagles as it maintained the club’s undefeated record at Willoughby Park against a red-hot Ottawa. Irving specifically put in a performance to remember with highlight reel saves including a one-handed stop just ten minutes into the match on Ballou Tabla. 

He doubled down on Tabla at the 30 minute mark of the match when the Ottawa-attacker broke behind Vancouver’s backline and Irving made the choice to charge the play, making a point-blank stop. Even on the visiting-side’s lone goal, Irving made the initial save and even got his body in front of the rebound before the ball ultimately made it into the net. 

Irving earned both Performance of the Match and Team of the Week recognitions for the May 12 game, which were his first League acknowledgements of the season. The local-lad continued to bring a sense of confidence into Vancouver’s following two victories, conceding only one goal from open play. 

So far this season, Irving has played in every Vancouver match across all competitions which currently place the Eagles second in the CPL standings with a 4-4-1 record. Irving is currently ranked second in the League for saves made with 23, only trailing Thomas Vincesini of York United FC by two, and is ranked first amongst goalkeepers for recoveries with 70.

Irving previously earned Goalkeeper of the Month for April 2023 when the goalkeeper led the League in saves and helped the Eagles register a 1-1-1 record in the club’s historic opening month. 

Vancouver FC’s next match at Willoughby Park is set for Sunday, June 23 to take on Halifax Wanderers FC at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets to the match, and all of VFC’s home games, can be found online here.