Matthew Lacy is the Victory Lookout – providing inside coverage of Vancouver Washington’s own soccer club. Watch for his columns on your #HometownSoccer club as they stay #ShipShape for the people of Clark County and beyond!

By Matthew Lacy

VANCOUVER, WA—After roaring back to their winning ways last weekend with a resounding 6-3 win over the Spokane Shadow, our Vancouver Victory (2-2-0) will take on the Tri-Cities Alliance (2-2-0) here at home on the Hampton Inn Championship Field at the Harmony Sports Complex.  The contest will be on Sunday (6/10) at 3pm. It is going to be an exciting bout between two teams with something to prove. Here is what has me on the lookout.

Vancouver Heart.  This game is where we are going to see just how badly the Boys in Blue want to succeed this season, whether they are going to be mid-table or be true challengers for the top spot.  Head Coach Logan Emory stated that, “These next few weeks are huge. If we are looking at it realistically, of course we would like to win all three, but if we can get two of them than I think we will be in a good spot.  You want to take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead but at the same time we have to realize these next weeks are very important.” I am going to be on the lookout for that little extra pep in the step coming from the V2FC side.

The Tactics of Emory.  The turning point of last weeks’ extravaganza against the Spokane Shadow could be said to have been when Coach Emory made some subtle changes in the midfield and final third.  He knows the importance of solid management, both in games and throughout the season. He stated that, “We as a staff have to do a good job at managing it and preparing our guys.  I think we could have done a little better the first three weeks in preparing the group. I’ll put my hand up and say the last two losses were, on some levels, on me, I take responsibility for those losses. We have some work to do in preparing for the next three weeks.”  Emory is feeling the weight of wearing the gaffer’s crown in the best of ways and I am on the lookout to see how that plays out on the field this Sunday.

The Victory Guns.  In the four league games the V2FC have logged in this 2018 season, five players have tallied goals: Brandon Zambrano (3), Joe Kenney (1), Nicholas Ballenger (1), Tyler Fox (1), and Bennett Lehner (1).  Who is going to be the next hero in blue? Will Zambrano continue to put on a show each time steps on the pitch? How about Eddie Sanchez? He displayed uncommon skill on the ball last game, it seems like only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net.  I will be on the lookout for who has the nose for goal.

Tri-Cities Stamina. The Lions will have just played at home the previous day against the Olympic Force, a team hovering towards the bottom of the table and is fighting to remain relevant.  I am going to be looking out for fatigue and hoping to see our Boys in Blue taking advantage of it.

Tri-Cities Chemistry.  This team is brand new to the league, but the fellas have been playing together for years and have seen some real success in their formative time this 2018 season; winning tournaments and significant friendlies.  I am curious as to how this team interacts with each other on the field and how our V2FC will respond, as some of our players have only recently pulled on the blue and whites.

Tri-Cities Goal Scorers.  The Lions have some significant goal scorers.  Lenin Guzman and Ricky Chicas both have tallied two in the four league games thus far and four other players have one.  The V2FC defense (right now, the second leakiest in the league) will need to keep their heads on a swivel in order to come out on top in the end.

Our Head Coach Emory knows how important this game is to the season.  “The guys know what is at hand, that we need three more results; which in a short season, so much of it is confidence.  If we can get some results at home and gain that confidence and head back on the road that will be important. These next games will be huge for us.  If we can build some momentum and some confidence and some rhythm heading into those away games, it is just reiterating how important the next three weeks are.”

It is going to be an exciting match, Sea of Blue.  I’ll see you at the Hampton Inn Championship Field in the Harmony Sports Complex at 3pm this Sunday (6/10) to watch our Vancouver Victory FC take on the Tri-Cities Alliance.  Tickets are available online and at the game: $6 for adults, kids 12 and under are free.