PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Special day for soccer in Lower Mainland<\/p>\n
Published 9:00 am Thursday, July 9, 2026<\/p>\n
Last Saturday was a very special day for soccer in the Fraser Valley, as we packed the Stadium at Langley Events Centre for Canada\u2019s World Cup Round of 16 match on the big screen. That came just a few hours before Vancouver FC won our third home game in a row and moved into playoff position within the Canadian Premier League.<\/p>\n
VIDEO: Vancouver FC shuts out Toronto<\/a><\/p>\n The field was packed and the stands were full too, with people from across the Lower Mainland coming to our home stadium to watch Canada\u2019s match against Morocco.<\/p>\n The club has hosted these watch parties throughout the tournament, including every Canada match, and they have created a really special atmosphere.<\/p>\n But Saturday was extra special with huge numbers coming out.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a really smart way to get people into the stadium and asking about who plays on the pitch. The guests are discovering who we are \u2013 their local professional team competing in Canada\u2019s national league. Making those connections is such an important part of the future of Canadian soccer and it\u2019s the actual legacy of this World Cup in Vancouver.<\/p>\n The watch parties are free, with food trucks, family activities and a booth pitchside \u2013 where some of our players stop by for autographs and mini-drills. My friends, family, and people in the community who I have spoken to have been having a great time at them.<\/p>\n The club told us they have been involved in more than 40 events during this World Cup window, across five different locations, which is awesome. The main ones, where players have been involved, are the PNE Fan Festival and The Last Mile, where there are mini-pitches where the club has set up.<\/p>\n It\u2019s so important to us, as players, to be part of this World Cup and help promote soccer in our community.<\/p>\n We love being around the atmosphere and meeting both lifelong soccer fans and people who are completely new to the sport.<\/p>\n A lot of people ask about the league we play in, when our games are, whether we are professional and what it\u2019s like to play in the CPL. It\u2019s always fun talking to people about who we are and what Vancouver FC is building.<\/p>\n It\u2019s similar to the school visits we do throughout the season, where players take turns visiting local schools, talking to the kids, and then heading outside to play some soccer with them.<\/p>\n It\u2019s so important for children and families to know about the opportunities in the sport, to meet players, learn how they can support their local club and even see a pathway to becoming professional soccer players themselves \u2013 or to be involved in the sport in another way.<\/p>\n We scrimmage with the kids, pass the ball around and just have some fun with them.<\/p>\n Usually the players the club sends to the different events is based on where they live. For example, players living downtown [in Vancouver] are the ones who have been heading to the activations there.<\/p>\n The club also started taking part in the Cloverdale Agriplex Fan Festival this week, while the big-screen watch parties in Langley will continue for all the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a shame, of course, that Canada is no longer involved. But, I think reaching the Round of 16 is a huge success for the program. Getting out of the group, winning a knockout game and reaching the last 16 is a massive achievement for Canadian soccer, and the team has gained a huge following from people who were watching, many of whom were not soccer fans before.<\/p>\n From the outside, I think people will start taking Canada much more seriously as a soccer nation, and that creates more opportunities for young players coming through and playing in our national league, the CPL.<\/p>\n I\u2019m excited now to see more of the interest and excitement from the World Cup spill over into attendances at our games and more people tuning in to watch the league as the World Cup winds down and ends, and people are looking for the next thing to follow.<\/p>\n This week, we are back in action against CF Montreal in the Canadian Championship. We played the first leg at home last night (July 8) and travel to Quebec for the second leg on Sunday. Coming off a really good win against Inter Toronto in our last CPL match, which brings us up to fifth in the table, it\u2019s another exciting challenge during what is a fantastic time for soccer in our country and our community.<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n \u2013 Kian Proctor is a 20-year-old Vancouver FC<\/a> defender from Delta, who signed his first professional contract for the 2026 season after a standout year at SFU. He will be writing a weekly column this season, offering insight into himself and his new team.<\/p>\n PHOTOS: Langley venue filled with thousands cheering on Canada<\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COLUMNS:<\/p>\n PLAYER DIARY: What\u2019s the link between VFC and the World Cup?<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Training and watching the World Cup highs, lows and nightmare injuries<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Excitement snowballs for World Cup <\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: What World Cup means to an up-and-comer<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Running a business offers VFC player needed distraction<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: League\u2019s U21 rules invaluable for up-and-comers<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Growing up with two FIFA referees<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Excited for all involved in this weekend\u2019s all-Langley derby<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Vancouver FC gears up to defeat BC rivals in Salish Sea Derby<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: Excited for even a few minutes on the pitch<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY: VFC on road this weekend, focused on a win<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER\u2019S DIARY \u2013 First Vancouver FC game of season seen from the bench<\/a><\/p>\n