A 17-year-old from Victoria is already turning heads in professional soccer after making his debut with Pacific FC on Tuesday night at Starlight Stadium.
Mattias Vales, a product of the club’s academy system and a familiar name in local youth soccer circles, stepped onto the pitch in a high-stakes Canadian Championship preliminary round match against Vancouver FC.
Though the match ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss for Pacific FC, Vales’ performance was a major highlight—and a proud moment for Vancouver Island soccer.
“We brought in Mattias Vales from our academy, and he was for sure the brightest light of the match,” said Pacific FC Head Coach James Merriman. “You saw the energy, the intensity, the personality he plays with… he absolutely took his opportunity.”
Vales’ journey began with Gorge United and Juan de Fuca Soccer, later excelling through Pacific FC’s Trident Development Program and then with the Vancouver Island Wave—one of B.C.’s top youth teams.
His rapid progression led to a stint earlier this year with VfL Bochum’s U-21 side in Germany, a milestone made possible through Pacific FC’s partnership with the Bundesliga club.
After returning home, Vales signed a development contract with Pacific FC in March and has been training with the first team throughout the offseason, patiently preparing for his big moment.
“I’ve been training with the team for a very long time, so I’ve been waiting for my chance,” Vales said after the match. “I knew when it came, I had to take it—and I felt positive going into tonight. I just had to battle and work as hard as I could.”
And that’s exactly what he did.
Vales brought energy and pace to Pacific’s second-half push, earning the set piece that led to the club’s equalizing goal and injecting life into the midfield. His direct style and confident decision-making earned praise from both his coach and the crowd.
“That’s what he does in the academy, day in and day out,” said Merriman. “We’ve been waiting to give him this opportunity—and he earned it.”
In the stands, a wave of support followed his every touch. Family, friends, and former teammates cheered him on, showing just how connected Vales is to the community that raised him.
“I think all of my Wave teammates and my whole bloodline—all my family—were at the game,” Vales said with a smile. “The fight was a big positive. We can build on this.”
While Tuesday’s match didn’t end in victory, it marked a new beginning for a homegrown talent whose future is just starting to unfold.
“There are a lot of new players and we’re bonding together really well,” said Vales. “This is just the start.”
For Pacific FC, the moment was more than a debut—it was a celebration of the club’s investment in local development, and a reminder that some of the league’s brightest stars can come from right here on Vancouver Island.
With files from Joseph Russell
