The sun was shining on Langford’s Starlight Stadium Tuesday night, but it didn’t bring the warmth Pacific FC was looking for.

Despite controlling the ball and dictating much of the pace, the Tridents fell to Vancouver FC in the Canadian Championship, 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw through 90 minutes.

It was a familiar script in a derby that’s quickly taken root: physical play, tight margins, and just enough drama to make the difference.

This one came down to set pieces, with Alejandro Diaz converting from the penalty spot for Vancouver in the first half, and Aly Ndom answering with a free-kick stunner early in the second for Pacific.

After that, both sides fought, scrapped, and battled to a stalemate before Vancouver pulled ahead in the shootout to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

For Pacific, it’s another tough result in what’s been a rocky start to 2025. The club opened its CPL campaign with a clean 2-0 win over Valour, but that early confidence has since given way to frustration. A four-game winless run in league play came to a head with a 3-1 loss to Atletico Ottawa on Saturday, and Tuesday’s early cup exit only adds to the sting.

But this was a different competition – a different kind of night.

The Canadian Championship has been kind to Pacific in recent years, with three semi-final appearances in the last four seasons and a reputation for showing up in big moments. Back at home under a bright sky and in front of a vocal crowd, this was supposed to be a chance to reset.

Vancouver, though, came in with a plan – and some familiar faces. Kunle Dada-Luke, Terran Campbell, and Callum Irving all returned to their old stomping grounds, now wearing black and white instead of the familiar purple and white. The reception was mixed, but their impact was clear.

Before Pacific could settle, they were forced into an early change. Defender Juan Quintana went down inside the opening minutes and had to be stretchered off, replaced by Pedro Machado. It didn’t throw Pacific off their rhythm entirely, but the disruption showed.

Chances were limited in the first half, and neither team found much joy in open play. But one moment of carelessness shifted the balance. Pacific defender Eric Lajeunesse clipped a Vancouver attacker in his own box, handing the visitors a penalty.

Diaz stepped up and coolly slotted it into the bottom corner, sending Max Anchor the wrong way and silencing the home end.

GOAL 🦅

Alejandro Diaz gets the party started here at Starlight Stadium, scoring from the penalty spot to give a 1-0 lead over 😎

🔴 Watch TELUS on OneSoccer

— OneSoccer (@onesoccer)

Down a goal at the break, head coach James Merriman went to his bench. Three changes came in – Mattias Vales, Ronan Kratt, and Josh Heard – and they made an immediate difference.

Five minutes into the second half, Pacific earned a free kick just outside the area.

Up stepped Ndom, and with a low, curling strike, he bent the ball through Vancouver’s wall and into the far corner. Irving could only watch. The crowd erupted. It was 1-1, and everything felt alive again.

Aly Ndom’s set-piece strike gets on the board and pulls them level with in the 50th minute.

— Victoria ÑÇÖÞÌìÌà (@VictoriaÑÇÖÞÌìÌÃ)

The equalizer shifted the energy. The tackles became heavier. The pace quicker.

Referee Michael Venne had his hands full, handing out four yellow cards in a 20-minute span – Diaz and Norman Jr. for Vancouver, Vales and Anchor for Pacific –as both sides pushed for a late winner.

But it never came. Despite surges from both ends, the final whistle came with the score still level, and the game moved straight to penalties.

That’s where Vancouver took control.

Diaz converted again. So did Norman Jr., Nicolas Mezquida, and Aidan O’Connor. On the other side, Irving came up huge, denying two Pacific attempts and sealing the win against his former club.

Vancouver now moves on to face Cavalry in the quarter-finals after their dominant 5-0 win over Edmonton Scottish. For Pacific, the tournament run ends early – an unusual position for a club that’s made a habit of playing deep into May and beyond.

Now the focus turns back to CPL play, where things haven’t gone much smoother.

Pacific will try to regroup ahead of a home clash against York United on Saturday at Starlight. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.