Vancouver Football Club, Langley’s new pro soccer team, is playing in Ontario this afternoon, before returning home for back-to-back games at Willoughby Stadium (next to LEC). (VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Vancouver Football Club, Langley’s new pro soccer team, is playing in Ontario this afternoon, before returning home for back-to-back games at Willoughby Stadium (next to LEC). (VFC/Special to Langley Advance Times)

Vancouver’s FC kicks off against three-time champs today 3 players short

Langley’s new pro soccer team will be back on home pitch next weekend to take on Winnipeg

With three of their top players out of the game – one due to suspension, two due to injuries – Vancouver Football Club knows it’s going to be difficult – but not impossible – to take down the top team in the Canadian Premier League today.

RECENT WITH VIDEO: Vancouver FC fall to Ottawa

After a lose in their second ever home game at Willoughby Stadium (at the Langley Events Centre) last weekend, the team has travelled across the continent in Hamilton, Ont. to take on the Forge FC this afternoon.

While home fans in Langley can’t watch the game in person this weekend, they can view online from Tim Hortons Field starting at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET kickoff.

This will be Vancouver’s biggest test yet as they move on from their Match #5 loss and look to compete with the reigning champions on their home turf, head coach Afshin Ghotbi said the day ahead of the Forge game.

Vancouver FC is moving forward from their first loss at home to Atlético Ottawa, said Ghotbi.

He has been “making lemonade out of lemons” as his team faces a number of roster changes with notable starters Gabriel Bitar, Kadin Chung, and Rocco Romeo all missing from VFC’s lineup.

Vancouver FC will look to contend with the three-time championship side on their home turf today, Ghotbi noted, before returning to Willoughby Stadium for a two-game homestand.

The next home game is 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 28 against Winnipeg’s Valour FC, and then back on home pitch again Friday, June 2, at 7 p.m. to take on Vancouver Island’s Pacific FC. Click for details.

PAST GAME WITH VIDEO: Vancouver FC’s very first home game ends with a tie

Fans can watch live at: OneSoccer.ca

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