Rising above the clouds – Vancouver FC looks to their next match against Forge FC

May 17, 2023

David Nava

Those who can overcome adversity and succeed have greatness within them. This Friday, Vancouver FC will have the opportunity to reach for greatness when they face the reigning champions, Forge FC, in Hamilton, Ontario. The contest will not be an easy one as Forge currently sits atop the table and are undefeated this season.

“We have to work on [staying] focused, on our concentration because we have a lot of abilities and we have amazing players and the best coach,” said VFC winger, Gael Sandoval, after VFC’s loss to Atlético Ottawa last match.

Mamadou Kane registered his first start as a Vancouver FC player last Saturday (Beau Chevalier / Vancouver FC)

The younger athletes are quickly learning from the examples set by veteran players like Sandoval. Although professionally inexperienced, Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi has seen immense promise in the younger flock, “I feel that the organization as a whole, the players as a whole are going in the right direction…”

Hard work, dedication, and trust in Ghotbi’s vision is paying off for some of the younger players, including Mamadou Kane who, under Ghotbi, has been converted from an attacker to a defender. “I think Mamadou has had a fantastic two weeks. …We think he has the athleticism, he has the ability to play out from the back and he is good in the air,” said Ghotbi. The 19-year-old earned his first start last weekend and now aims to make back-to-back starting XI appearances.

Afshin Ghotbi walking on the pitch after the game against Atlético Ottawa (Beau Chevalier / Vancouver FC)

Vancouver FC may see a few more changes to their lineup with starting players Gabriel Bitar and Kadin Chung being unavailable due to injury after taking hard hits in Match #5 against Atlético Ottawa, and Rocco Romeo still serving his suspension. “When we started the project, we talked about ‘you have to make lemonade out of a lemon’,” commented Ghotbi about the situation. “I think I’m a master of making lemonade so I can find ways and solutions in whatever we have.”

Optimism is still in the air for Vancouver FC as they continue their inaugural season. Competing against a title contender such as Forge FC would be an early statement of the ambition this fledgling club has to offer. Make sure you don’t miss the action this Friday at 4:00 p.m. PDT and watch the game on OneSoccer, FuboTV, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980.

Vancouver FC is proud to host Firefighters’ Appreciation Night for our next home match on May 28th. Show your support for BC’s brave firefighters at VFC’s next home match by purchasing your tickets here.