After a schedule that has kept them on the road for much of the season, Kamloops United FC returns to Hillside Stadium this weekend for just their third home match in eight games, welcoming TSS FC Rovers for a match both sides will be eager to put their stamp on.
The timing of the home stand couldn't be more welcome. With five of their final six matches set to be played at Hillside, Kamloops United enters the second half of their schedule with a genuine opportunity to build momentum where it matters most, in front of their own supporters.
The last meeting with TSS was a difficult one. Both the men's and women's sides made the trip to Swangard Stadium in Burnaby and came away without a result. The men fell 4-0, while the women were beaten 3-0 against a Rovers side that proved a tough opponent on home soil.
For the men, there are encouraging signs heading into the match. Back-to-back draws against Altitude FC and Burnaby FC have steadied the ship after a turbulent start to the season, and while two points on the year leaves room for growth, the recent performances suggest a side trending in the right direction. A first win of the season in front of a home crowd would go a long way.
The women's side arrives sitting seventh in the standings, with their lone victory on the year coming against Nanaimo earlier in the season. They'll be looking to recapture that form and use Hillside as the launching pad for a strong finish to the year.