'I believe I can do more': One-on-one with Pacific FC rising talent Sean Young
Sophomore expectations, U-21 Player of the Year aspirations, and being a rookie at the Island Games
Did anyone see Sean Young coming? You would be forgiven if, at the start of 2020, you didn’t. At nineteen years old, the Victoria, British Columbia native wasn’t even announced to Pacific FC’s roster until late July—three weeks before the Canadian Premier League’s second season was to begin. He was, by all definitions, an unknown. He had never been part of an MLS club’s academy. Never plied his trade in Europe or South America. Never made an appearance with Canada’s U-17 or U-20 teams.
It’s funny what a tournament can do. It took all of six weeks for Young to make his mark. By the end of the Island Games, the box-to-box midfielder had appeared in all but one of his club’s matches, emerging as one of the league’s bright young talents. If there were nerves, they didn’t show: the Belmont Secondary School and Vancouver Island Wave alum led all of Pacific’s midfielders in pass completion (81.9%) and didn’t shy away from opponents.
“I don’t think he fully knows his potential yet,” said Pacific FC captain and fellow midfielder Jamar Dixon. “But the club definitely knows, and the coaches see it all the time.”
I spoke with Young about his breakout performance at the 2020 Island Games, the pressures that come with a sophomore season, and his club’s readiness heading into Winnipeg for the season opener.
Last year was a big year for you. First pro contract. Youngest player on the team. And you end up playing nine games, starting six of them. What was your mentality coming into the club last season?
SY: Basically, coming into training before I had a contract, it was just [to] work as hard as I can. Try to learn every day. Those are the two main things. And then going to the Island Games, it was basically just continuing that: go there and just play, not try to get distracted, and just really give 100 percent effort every minute of training and every minute of [every] game.
You ended up playing the second-most minutes of anyone 19-and-under at the Island Games.1 You averaged 51.3 minutes a game in a side with a lot of attacking options—obviously, a lot of trust shown from head coach Pa-Modou Kah. Could you tell me about the relationship you have with him and the coaching staff?
SY: Wow. I didn’t know that stat [laughs]. They push me every day—but I definitely feel that belief as a player. It just makes me want to get better. And when I’m out there playing, I’m enjoying myself—and I think you need that to succeed. I think a lot of the other players would agree that, as a group, we feel that confidence [from our coaches] when we go out there.
You’ve played with the Victoria Highlanders. You’ve played with Westcastle United.2 You’ve seen different levels of football. What was the biggest adjustment you found to the Canadian Premier League level?
SY: I’d say the speed of play—but also just the professionalism of the players. Now, this is a job, so every day, you’re working 100 percent; there’s no days off. Also, the physicality and the game smartness. When I played in the Island Games, I found just how much more clever the players were. You kind of have to play the game within the game, and you have to try to outsmart your opponent, because you’re playing against all top players.
What was the biggest lesson you learned from last season?
SY: You can’t switch off while you’re on the field. There’s no time. Say you give the ball away, there’s no time to mope around or feel sorry for yourself. It’s a game, we’re all here to win, and we play for each other. I think that was something I had to learn: as soon as you step on the field, you’ve got to change into game mode.
Was there a “welcome to the CPL” moment for you—a time when that feeling hit home?
SY: I’d say my first appearance. I came on in the 80th minute [against York9 FC on August 18th]. Just that, even waiting on the sidelines to come on, it hit me there: I’m about to step on the field, and once I step on the field, I’m a professional.
It’s cool, for sure. I watched these guys play [in 2019], and it was around [the inaugural match] that I set a goal to make this team. Now, to be part of it is awesome. It took a lot of hard work, but I’m happy to be here now.
What was the overall experience like at the Island Games? As far as first seasons could go, I mean… to have one happen in a bubble tournament in a totally different province, removed from fans and spectators, it’s a very unconventional way to start a pro career.
SY: I mean, I enjoyed it. Obviously, [it was] different. You know, there’s really no time away from football—when you’re not training or playing, you’re in the hotel with your roommate, or you’re getting treatment, or you’re in the gym, and you’re there the whole time. So that was definitely an adjustment. You don’t just go home and switch off. But overall, as a team, we were switched on: we had our goal in mind, and we fell short last year, but this year, I think we’re even more prepared. We’re happy to be playing. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bubble or regular season.
How did that constant proximity affect your bond as a group?
SY: It definitely built our team chemistry. I got to know all the guys a lot better—especially being new to the team. I think the other guys would say the same, because in the months leading up to the tournament, it was very restricted what we could do; it was basically train and go home. So at the Island Games, you’re around each other, you’re around the staff for six weeks straight. You learn stuff about guys. It was good, for sure.
What were your training goals for this offseason, heading into your second year?
SY: Definitely trying to improve in all the aspects of my game. For me being a midfielder, to become more dominant [on-ball], getting on the ball more, and just trying to make more of an impact—because I believe I can do more.
At 6’2”, you’ve got height playing to your advantage—you’ve talked about this with CanPL.ca before. But there’s room for improvement when it comes to challenging for balls in the air—you mentioned the physicality of the league earlier. How much of a focus has that been, either through positioning or strength-building?
SY: Yeah. I’ve definitely been working on it the past few months that we’ve been training as a team. I think one of the main things to [handle] the physicality is just having that mentality that I’m going to win this ball. Having the mentality to be aggressive, starting the game off aggressive. Not being timid when you’re playing in these games.
Coming into this season, CanPL.ca’s Charlie O’Connor-Clarke has you pegged for the Best U-21 Player award this year. How do you handle the expectation that comes after a breakout season?
SY: For me, it’s just tuning that stuff out, putting my head down, and working hard. If I do everything I can to help the team win, then if the individual awards come with it, that’s great. Obviously, one of my goals at the beginning of the year is to be the U-21 Player of the Year, but I’m just focused on helping the team win a championship, and whatever comes with it will be great.
When you signed last year, the bubble tournament had already been announced—the prospect of playing in Victoria wasn’t there. Now, you’ve got a chance this season, if things go well, to play in front of your home city, potentially a home crowd. What’s that prospect like to imagine?
SY: That’s the dream. Playing in front of fans will be amazing, but playing in front of friends and family, and playing in the city that I’ve grown up in is another really exciting thing that I hope to experience this year. And I think everyone—players, coaches, and the whole club—are just really hoping we get games in our home stadium. It would be even better if we could play in front of fans. It would be awesome.
You’ve got some new teammates this year. Matteo Polisi’s joining you in the midfield. Manny Aparicio and Ollie Bassett as well. What do you see in their games?
SY: They’re all fantastic players. Manny’s a real leader. It’s great to have him. Matteo is new, but he also has a lot of quality in the midfield, and he has a nose for goal. Ollie’s the same. Very technical, very good player. And he fit right in when he came into the team. It’s awesome to have [them]; they’re only going to make us stronger.
How would you describe the atmosphere around the team heading into this season?
SY: We’re ready for games. We’ve been training hard for months. Everyone’s just excited to play and showcase what we’ve got. And obviously, the goal at the end of the season is to lift the [North Star Shield].
Only Valour FC’s Julian Dunn-Johnson, on loan from Toronto FC, saw more game time as a U-19 player.
In 2019, Young’s Westcastle United side won the Jackson Cup, the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s highest trophy. Dating back to 1915, the Sir George Jackson Cup was inspired by England’s FA Cup—and in its history, has seen the likes of World Cup players George Pakos, Jamie Lowery, and Ian Bridge vie for its honour.