On a chilly Friday night, it all came together for Vancouver FC, who held on for a 2-1 win over Atlético Ottawa at home in The Stadium at Langley Events Centre.
Going into the match, Vancouver FC head coach Martin Nash was predicting a tough game.
“I think they’re a really good team, a lot of talent in their group, and we know they’ve scored a lot of late goals since the start of the season,” Nash warned.
“They’ve been finishing games really strong, so you’ve got to play the full 90 minutes against them, and it’s something we’ve obviously got to get better at.”
It was an accurate forecast by Nash, with Vancouver fending off a late surge by Ottawa after taking the lead.
Vancouver struck first, 14 minutes in, when Terran Campbell got the ball past Tristan Crampton at his near post. It was Campbell’s third of the season, tying him with Mo Amissi, who is away on international duty, for the team lead.
At the 35 minute mark, French striker Lys Mousset, who was making his debut with the team, scored what proved to be the winner during a strong performance.
The visitors went on the attack in the second half, and in the 75th minute finally found a way through.
That would be as close they came, however, as Vancouver held on for the win.
It was Vancouver FC’s first regular-season win over Atleti since 2023, and their first home victory of the season in CPL action.
Mousset was named CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match.
In 60 minutes of action in his first start for Vancouver FC, Mousset scored the winner. He also created a chance, made three tackles, and won five of six duels.
VFC has one remaining match before the World Cup break, hosting rivals Pacific FC in a Salish Sea Derby on Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m.