For the fifth season in a row, Pacific FC have reached the Canadian Premier League playoffs, as they defeated Forge FC 1-0 at Starlight Stadium on Saturday.

Needing a win over Forge to clinch their playoff spot, with a draw or loss leaving them to depend on help elsewhere, they made sure that they wouldn’t need that external aid to clinch their berth in the postseason.

Despite going up against a Forge side who has already clinched the CPL Shield as regular season champions, they managed to get this result over the line with a resolute defensive performance, too, leaving them to secure the fifth spot in front of their home fans.

Dario Zanatta had Pacific’s first good look at goal in the 22nd minute, curling a shot from distance, but his attempt would be easily saved by Forge’s Chris Kalongo. Then, just minutes later, Pierre Lamothe curled in a perfect cross from the right, finding the head of Moses Dyer, but he flashed his header well over the goal.

Soon after, however, Pacific would find a way to open the scoring in the 32nd minute. After a nice ball out wide to Adonijah Reid from Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, he did well to pick out the run of Zanatta at the back post, and Zanatta made no mistake with his finish from close range to put his team up 1-0.

Eager to end off the half on a high note, Pacific had a great look at goal on a set-piece shortly before half time. After a great ball into the box from Christian Greco-Taylor, the ball found an open Juan Quintana inside of the box, and he narrowly glanced his header over the crossbar after making good contact with the cross.

On the other side of half time, Pacific had a chance to double their lead less than five minutes into the second stanza, as Moses Dyer and Zanatta both came close to getting on the end of a dangerous cross, but they were both unable to make good contact on an attempt. Then, at the other end, Forge came close to finding an equalizer just moments later, as Amadou Koné fired a dangerous shot from a tight angle, but his shot would be saved by Pacific’s Sean Melvin.

Eager to put the game away, Pacific continued to push for a second goal, and had a great look in the 69th minute. After a dangerous ball into the box from Christian Greco-Taylor, the ball nearly squeezed in at the near post after a subtle touch from Zanatta, who only found himself denied by an alert Kalongo.

At the other end, Forge had a good look from distance in the 70th minute, as Tristan Borges fired a shot from distance, forcing a good diving save out of Melvin.

Continuing a busy stretch of action, Pacific had a glorious chance to score in the 73rd minute, as Dyer and Reon Moore found themselves on a 2v1 running into the box, but they were unable to turn their numerical advantage into a shot attempt.

From there, however, despite having to deal with a wave of Forge pressure as they chased an equalizer, Pacific managed to defend their box and keep Forge at bay, allowing them to pick up the three points required to secure their postseason berth.

BOX SCORE

Lineups 

Pacific FC: Melvin; Dada-Luke, Quintana, Meilleur-Giguère, Greco-Taylor; Lamothe (Dominguez 42′), Young, Yeates; Reid (Moore 62′); Dyer (Heard 79′), Zanatta (Ceceri 79′)

Forge FC: Kalongo; Samuel, Achinioti-Jönsson, Metusala, Owolabi-Belewu; Kane, Jensen; Choinière (Benítez 63′), Borges (Castello 76′), Koné (Schiavoni 76′); Hamilton (Campbell 63′)

Goals

32′ — Dario Zanatta (Pacific FC)

Discipline

45+1′ — Yellow: Amadou Koné (Forge FC)
60′ — Yellow: Adonijah Reid (Pacific FC)
85′ — Yellow: Marco Dominguez (Pacific FC)