Vancouver Island Review, June 3rd, 2019

This week in Vancouver Island Soccer: Canadian Premier League: We had a weekend that would be better soon forgot as Pacific FC loses to HFX Wanderers FC on the road, sinking Pacific FC down another notch on the table to 5th place. Pacific FC currently has the worst form of any CPL team, with 3 out of the last 5 games as a loss, and taking only a point each of the remaining 2 out of the last 5 matches. Cavalry FC continues to ride high on the table with Forge FC hot on their tail scoring 13 points to Calgary's 15. Cavalry has 2 games in hand over Forge, however, so I don't expect those teams to remain close for long. Poor York9 FC continues to drag behind the rest of the pack with only 3 points after 5 matches. USL League 2, Northwest Division: Centennial was a demoralizing place to be over the weekend as the Victoria Highlanders suffered their first loss of the season. The score line, 3-0 to frenemy Lane United, comes complete with a perfectly executed long ball own goal from Highlander Aly Adib in second half stoppage time, who lobbed the ball into the home net while trying for clearance. The Highlanders take up the 4th slot on the tight Northwest Division table with 2 games in hand over the top two teams, Calgary Foothills FC and Lane United FC respectively. With only a four point difference between 4th place Highlanders and 1st place Foothills, it's vital that the Highlanders brush off this loss and move forward. Their next game vs. TSS Rovers at Swangard on Friday will be critical to regaining their form and it will be the first leg in the Juan de Fuca Plate competition. Women's Premier Soccer League, Northwest Conference: Vancouver Island FC had a quiet week with no games played, however, there was plenty of movement up and down the table. Seattle Sounders Women and Spokane SC Shadow are on the top tied on points, with Seattle squeaking out ahead on goal difference. Of course, all eyes are looking to Saturday the 15th when Vancouver Island FC makes their home game debut at Westhills Stadium as they take on the Westside Timbers who are in a 5-way tie on points with PacNW Women, TSS Rovers, Vancouver Island FC and OSA XF.

And now you're all caught up.

Standings Roundup, May 27th 2019

This Week in Vancouver Island Soccer:

Canadian Premier League:
The CPL standings haven't moved much as there weren't many league games played. Cavalry FC remains undefeated at the top of the table with all 15 points from their 5 games played. (they also did well in the Voyageurs cup but we won't talk about that)

Pacific FC remains in the 4th slot with 5 points after 5 games, holding steady despite being 1 point behind the next slot up (Valour) and one slot above the next slot down (Edmonton). We might want to keep an eye on Edmonton, by the way, they've played 2 fewer games than most everyone else and they're right behind us.

USL League Two:
The Northwest Division saw intense action this week as the Victoria Highlanders climbed up to the 3rd slot, taking 7 points in their undefeated run of 3 games. Calgary Foothills remains in the first place position with 10 points after 4 games. The Highlanders have played the least so far, with most teams having played 4 matches and the Rovers having played 5.

The Portland Timbers U-23s are limping through the season with four losses after four games, only having scored once while allowing 14 goals in. Our Juan de Fuca Plate rivals, the TSS Rovers, aren't looking as tight defensively as they did last season with 2 losses, 1 draw and 2 wins after five games. I'm feeling very confident about our chances to bring the plate back home this year.

Women's Premier Soccer League:
In our West Region, Northwest Conference, Vancouver Island FC is now in 3rd place with 3 points after 2 games, defeating Seattle Sounders Women yesterday at the same time the Highlanders outplayed Seattle's U-23 men's team. The top 4 teams in the conference all have 3 points and are only separated by goal difference, which puts our team within striking distance of the top spot.

And now you're all caught up.

Pacific FC Opening Match Review - LSBTV

Have a pint with LSBTV host Ted Godwin and Lake Side Buoys Game Day Experience Coordinator, Ryan Arrowood as they chat about the first two league games Pacific FC has ever played.

Our Statement of Values

In preparation of drafting and releasing a membership Code of Conduct in the very near future, the Board of Directors has released the following statement of values for our supporters' group:

The Lake Side Buoys are supporters of local soccer and welcome all who cheer #FortheIsle. All supporters deserve respect.

We condemn speech or actions that are discriminatory including those that are racist, sexist, or homophobic.

Sometimes discrimination takes the form of harassment. Harassment means using real or perceived power to abuse, devalue, or humiliate. The uneasiness and resentment that it creates are not feelings that help us grow as a supporters group.

These things divide us as supporters and have no place in our game. The Lake Side Buoys policies and practices must reflect our commitment to the dignity, equality, and respect of all supporters.

Lake Side Buoys Tifo for Pacific FC Opening Day

The Lake Side Buoys set the bar pretty high for opening game day tifo in the Canadian Premier League. Here's a behind-the-scenes video on how they did it.