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MATCH ANALYSIS: Wanderers show off newfound versatility in home opener win vs. Pacific

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 00:27:40 +0000

Final Score: Halifax Wanderers FC 3-1 Pacific FC Goalscorers: Timóteo 19', Telfer 65', Baï 90+5'; Zanatta 71' Game of the 2025 season: 10 CPL match: 606

Match in a minute or less

The Halifax Wanderers kicked off their 2025 slate of home games in style on Saturday, as they defeated Pacific FC 3-1 in their home opener at the Wanderers Grounds. After surviving an early wave of Pacific pressure, the Wanderers opened the scoring in the 19th minute, as Wesley Timóteo curled a shot off the crossbar and in from the edge of the box. Then, they doubled their lead in the 65th minute, as Ryan Telfer scored with a cool finish after some great build-up play from Giorgio Probo and Sean Rea. Pacific made things interesting late, as Dario Zanatta scored to make it 2-1 in the 71st minute, but the Wanderers called game in the 95th minute, as Yohan Baï scored his first CPL goal after a great individual run to seal the victory for his team.

Three Observations

Aggressive Wanderers show different side in entertaining victory:

The Wanderers didn't exactly hide their intentions heading into this one - they wanted to entertain. Having had one of the best home records in the CPL over the past few years, a big reason for that has been due to their style of play, as they look to control games at home, making them uncomfortable by playing right on top of them with and without the ball. Coming off two solid road performances to kick off the year, in which they grabbed four points, that set the tone for them to come out strongly in their return to the Wanderers Grounds for the first time in 2025. It took a while for them to get going in this one - Pacific came out strongly before the Wanderers broke open the game with their 19th-minute goal - but once the Wanderers got that lead, they started to play with the energy that they had promised in the build-up to this game. Interestingly, they did so by slightly modifying their approach - they held far less of the ball than usual in this game, finishing with just 44.6% of possession, and they were more passive in their press, but they were lethal when they got on the ball. As a result, they generated an impressive 18 shots, including seven on target, for a total of 1.7 Expected Goals (xG), doing a great job of being dangerous in the moments they pushed forward. In particular, Sean Rea and Giorgio Probo had excellent games for the Wanderers, doing a great job of finding spaces between the lines to attack. There was no better example of that than on the Wanderers' second goal, which stood as the winner, which came to be after some brilliant work from Probo and Rea. After having won the ball in a dangerous area in Pacific's half, the pair of Wanderers' attacking midfielders came alive, doing well to drift into a dangerous area, before combining nicely with some quick passing to create the chance for Telfer. Yet, that might be the best example of what this new-look Wanderers team is about. Having spent a lot of time in the offseason working on their pressing, as Patrice Gheisar took a page out of Jesse Marsch's book after spending some time with the Canadian Men's National Team head coach last year, they want that to be a pillar of their game in 2025. A goal like that second one shows why that is the case, as they were able to recover the ball in a great area, and that gave more space for their dangerous attackers to get to work. In a game like this, where Pacific were able to get on the ball a bit more, the Wanderers' press allowed them to stay involved in the match, knowing that it took just one moment to unlock a dangerous moment. Otherwise, another big thing that will stand out for the Wanderers? How they closed out this game, as they did a great job of weathering a late Pacific storm after the visitors had cut the lead to 2-1. Unlike in week #1, where the Wanderers drew 2-2 away to Atlético Ottawa after going up 2-0, they didn't want to waste their lead this time around. Thanks to the insertion of some fresh legs, and an emphasis on being patient on the ball, they kept composed and even got an insurance marker to properly see out the game. Details that they often struggled with in 2024, it's encouraging to see that early growth in 2025, as that can pay off throughout a long season, where wins like this can be immensely valuable.

Lapses in both boxes cost Pacific despite an improved showing:

Early on, it looked like Pacific might get off to a strong start, as they came out of the gates with energy in the early minutes. In particular, they did a great job of finding space down the flanks, as Ronan Kratt kept finding himself open on the left, and Marco Bustos on the right. Not only that, but they did a good job of turning those attacks into dangerous attempts, too - Pacific had a couple of glorious chances to go up early, as they managed to filter the ball into some good areas in and around the Wanderers' box. Unfortunately, they were not as composed with those attempts as they would've hoped, as they sent a few of those dangerous shots well wide of the mark, but it was encouraging to see the areas they were occupying. That ended up being the story of their game, however - Pacific were a lot better in this game on the ball, having struggled in their last match against Forge, which was positive to see. Given that they held 55.6% of possession, completing 81.8% of their passes, that's a good sign, as that's what they want to do in games - have control. Plus, it's not as if that control was completely without purpose, either - they also had 15 shots and 1.37 xG, as they certainly tested the Wanderers goal. Where Pacific let themselves down, however, was with their execution in those moments. For example, they had three big chances, compared to the Wanderers' two, but the Wanderers scored both of theirs, whereas Pacific finished just one. Not only that, but Pacific didn't have a shot worth more than 0.27 xG, whereas the Wanderers had two worth 0.42 and 0.44 xG, respectively, as the hosts ensured that their big chances would yield quality scoring chances - something Pacific struggled with, as they'd often seem to overthink the chances they got in good areas. Overall, however, that was the big takeaway for Pacific in this game - they need to be better in both boxes, as that feels like it's where they lost this match. Be it from the goals they conceded, with one coming off a set-piece, another a sloppy turnover and the other a strong individual effort, ones they'll all want back, or their lack of finish, they just weren't good enough in either box. Therefore, while they'll take some solace in the performance being much improved, look for improved execution to be their focus going forward, as this team knows that you can't waste performances like this if you want to finish high up the table at the end of the year.

Timóteo's versatlity a perfect example of 2025 Wanderers success:

Wesley Timóteo has been asked to play several different positions during his stint in the Canadian Premier League, as he's picked up a reputation of being a Swiss Army Knife for coaches to work with. When he burst onto the scene with FC Edmonton in 2022, for example, he was a dangerous winger, scoring three goals and adding five assists in his lone season in Alberta. Then, since his arrival in Halifax, he's had to fill a few other positions for the Wanderers after starting as a winger in 2023, including as a full back and even as a ball-playing centre back. Now, he's being asked to fill another role in 2025, and that's to play as a wing back, a role that seems to suit him perfectly. To his credit, he's been pretty comfortable in every role he's had to play, even as a centre back, but there's no doubt that he can best impact a game when he's high up the field. As a wing back, he's getting to do that, and this game was another example of how. On the ball, he plays a big role in the build-up play, helping provide an outlet for the Wanderers to play through, while also proving to be an important asset in the final third. In particular, he does a great job of overlapping and providing width for his team, which can be extremely valuable given how narrow the likes of Probo and Rea will play, as he'll give them an option out wide to use when they drift into those central channels. Off the ball, however, he's no slouch - he has no problem getting stuck in defensively, even when dealing with a tricky winger like Marco Bustos, which was his main assignment in this game. "I think it's a perfect balance," Timóteo said of his new role. "I think it's where I can help the team the most." Yet, Timóteo is the perfect example of what has worked for this Wanderers team so far in 2025 - they're a much more versatile group than before. Of course, at their best, they'll want to be that team that dominates the ball, but they know that they won't be able to do that all season - there will be moments where they need to sit back and defend, or play more directly in possession. To do that, you need players like Timóteo, who can help you on both sides of the ball, and the Wanderers have them in spades, especially among their new-look midfield and backline. That's helped them massively through the first few games, and they'll look to use that to their advantage going forward.

What They Said

"It was incredible. It's my third home opener, and the commitment of the people here never dies - you've seen it with the expansion in the stadium, that took incredible work by the people here. This is the earliest that we've ever had a home opener, and the field was in great condition, but people haven't slept for weeks (to make this happen), so we can only thank them so much for what they did to set up this scene and stage. ” — Halifax Wanderers FC head coach Patrice Gheisar.

"In the last few games, we've shown a lot of maturity, we know we're going to suffer at some points, and we went through that phase (early), at half time we spoke about what we had to change, and then we showed a lot of energy in the second half.” — Halifax Wanderers FC wing back Wesley Timóteo

"It was frustrating to start the game the way we did, and to still walk away from here with nothing. It's frustrating to give up another goal on a set piece because I thought momentum was with us, but again, we need to respond quicker from that, as well. It took us too long to get back into the game, we then went down 2-0 before getting back to 2-1, so yeah, we walk away very frustrated with the result.” — Pacific FC head coach James Merriman

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Wesley Timóteo, Halifax Wanderers FC

Timóteo was excellent on both sides of the ball for the Wanderers in this victory. On the ball, he completed 25 out of 33 passes (76%), including three out of six long balls and 10 passes into the final third, to go along with four shots along with one chance created, while also chipping in with two tackles, five clearances, three recoveries and winning six out of 12 duels defensively.

What’s next?

The Wanderers will head out on the road for their next match, as they get set for a clash against Valour FC at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Friday, April 25th (7:00 p.m. CT/9:00 p.m. AT). Meanwhile, Pacific will return to British Columbia, but for a road game, as they make the short trip to Langley to take on Vancouver FC in the Salish Sea Derby at Willoughby Community Park on Saturday, April 26th (5:00 p.m. PT). Watch all CPL matches live on OneSoccer. In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.

RECAP: Halifax Wanderers FC 3-1 Pacific FC

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:06:46 +0000

The Halifax Wanderers have continued their strong start to the 2025 CPL season, as they defeated Pacific FC 3-1 in their home opener at Wanderers Grounds on Saturday. After picking up a win and a draw in their first two games of the season, this is a big result for the Wanderers, who started slowly in 2024, something they've done well to put behind them so far this season. As for Pacific, they lost their second straight game after winning their season opener, continuing a tough start to 2025 for them. Returning to the game, Pacific almost got on the board inside the first minute, as Daniel de Pauli recovered the ball high up the field after a turnover by Halifax's goalkeeper, Rayane Yesli, but de Pauli would be unable to squeeze his shot attempt past Yesli, who made up for his mistake by quickly closing down the angle to make the save. Soon after, Pacific had another great attempt, as Marco Bustos found Pedro Machado with a great cross on the second phase of a corner, but Machado's header would be denied by a strong stop from Yesli. Having survived that early wave of Pacific pressure, the Wanderers started to grow into the game, and that led them to find their opener in the 19th minute. After a Wanderers corner, the ball fell to Wesley Timóteo at the edge of the box, and after his first attempt was blocked, Timóteo curled a strike into the top corner with his right foot, with his shot going off the crossbar and in for the Wanderers' first home goal of 2025. The Wanderers then almost made it 2-0 right before half time, as Sean Rea found the run of Thomas Meilleur-Giguère at the back post on a free kick, but Meilleur-Giguère was unable to punish his old team, with his header lopping just over the crossbar from close range. On the other side of the break, the Wanderers nearly scored on another set-piece, as they caused havoc in Pacific's box on a 57th minute corner, There, the ball fell to Giorgio Probo, who had an acrobatic kick attempt blocked, before Adam Pearlman sliced a shot just wide from close range on the ensuing rebound. Right after, the Wanderers continued to push, as Rea had a great chance to score on a counter-attack, as he curled a perfect shot towards goal, only finding himself denied by a fine stop from Pacific's Max Anchor. Still just one shot away from tying things up, Pacific almost found that moment in the 63rd minute, as the ball fell to Ronan Kratt inside the box, but he'd be unable to keep his curled shot below the crossbar. At the other end, however, the Wanderers finally found their second goal in the 65th minute. After some nice combination play between Rea and Probo at the edge of the box, Probo teed up a wide-open Ryan Telfer, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. To Pacific's credit, they didn't get too discouraged by conceding that goal, however. As a result, they managed to halve their deficit in the 71st minute, as Bustos picked out Dario Zanatta, who had just come off the bench into the game, with a nice cutback, and Zanatta did the rest with a tidy finish into the top corner. That seemed to give Pacific some momentum - they almost tied things up just moments later in the 73rd minute, as Sami Keshavarz had a great chance on a cross, but his shot was saved by Yesli. Then, on the ensuing corner, Aly Ndom found himself unmarked for a header, but his attempt sailed just wide of the goal. Eager to regain their two-goal lead, the Wanderers had a great chance to do so in the 80th minute, as Timóteo flashed a dangerous free kick towards goal, forcing an acrobatic save out of Anchor to keep it out. Then, on that subsequent corner, Tiago Coimbra sent a dangerous header towards goal, but his shot would be blocked on the goal line by Zanatta. Eventually, the Wanderers would get their insurance marker in the dying moments of the game, having survived another wave of late Pacific pressure up until that point. Following a stunning individual run from Yohan Baï, he curled the ball into the back of the net with his right foot, securing all three points for his team, giving the home fans one last thing to cheer about on the day.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Halifax Wanderers FC: Yesli; Pearlman, Meilleur-Giguère, Sow, Timóteo; Callegari (Biello 88'), Johnston; Bahamboula (Baï 69'), Probo (Dias 69'), Rea (Rampersad 78'); Telfer (Coimbra 78') Pacific FC: Anchor; Chung, Quintana, Machado, Greco-Taylor; Daniels (Ndom 71'), Young (Mukumbilwa 75'), de Pauli (Keshavarz 26'); Bustos, Heard, Kratt (Zanatta 71')

Goals

19′ — Wesley Timóteo (Halifax Wanderers FC) 65′ — Ryan Telfer (Halifax Wanderers FC) 71′ — Dario Zanatta (Pacific FC) 90+5′ — Yohan Baï (Halifax Wanderers FC)

Discipline

27′ — Yellow: Kadin Chung (Pacific FC) 43′ — Yellow: Juan Quintana (Pacific FC) 45+1′ — Yellow: Pedro Machado (Pacific FC) 45+5′ — Yellow: Adam Pearlman (Halifax Wanderers FC) 45+6′ — Yellow: Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers FC) 79′ — Yellow: Rayane Yesli (Halifax Wanderers FC) 84′ — Yellow: Yohan Baï (Halifax Wanderers FC)

Digital match day program: Wanderers vs. Pacific FC, April 19

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 16:17:59 +0000

Access the digital program for today's match by clicking HERE:

PREVIEW: Halifax Wanderers FC vs. Pacific FC

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 19:19:06 +0000

2025 CPL Regular Season — Match #10 Halifax Wanderers FC vs. Pacific FC April 19 at 12:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. AT Wanderers Grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia Watch Live: OneSoccer // Tickets available here

For the first time in 2025, the Halifax Wanderers are back at home, as they get set to host Pacific FC at Wanderers Grounds on Saturday. After starting the season with two straight road games, the Wanderers will be ecstatic to be back on their home pitch, having last played there in mid-October. As for Pacific, they face a similar milestone in this game, but in a different way - this marks their first road game of the season after starting 2025 with two matches at Starlight Stadium. Having last visited Halifax in September of last year, where they picked up a crucial 2-2 draw amid a late push to the playoffs that saw Pacific sneak into that last spot, four points ahead of the Wanderers, they’d love for another similar result (or better) this time around. Despite having different starts to the year in terms of travel, both sides have achieved similar results in their first few matches - Pacific won their first game vs. Valour before falling in their second game vs. Forge, while the Wanderers drew their first game vs. Atlético Ottawa before defeating York United in their second game - making this an important one in terms of the quest to establish early positioning in the CPL standings. The Wanderers do come into this one with more momentum - their victory against York was a massive one, given that they came from behind to win on the road, picking up an impressive 2-1 result in a game that York looked likely to run away with early. Seeing that the Wanderers only won once on the road in all of 2025, they’ll be happy to be on the board early in that category this year. Now, they want to build on that momentum, turning this into a dream start. After having failed to win a game until their 10th match of 2024, they’ve wanted to start strongly in 2025, and a victory here would certainly put them on the right track. "It's really important to focus on ourselves," Wanderers' head coach, Patrice Gheisar, said this week. "We know that (Pacific) are a terrific team, they've added a lot of new players, as we have, but I think we have to come out and play the way we do at home - we have to come out and be willing to take chances to get goals."

RELATED: ‘He has every attribute’: Halifax Wanderers’ Tiago Coimbra ready for breakout CPL season

As for Pacific, they’ll want to have short memories after their loss to Forge, where they didn’t put in a bad performance, but got undone by two set-piece goals and failed to create enough to break down a solid Forge defensive unit on the day. Following a comprehensive win vs. Valour, their showing vs. Forge felt flat by comparison, as they just never seemed to get any rhythm in their play. Because of that, their big goal will be to find that rhythm again, especially on the ball, which will help them get more involved in the game. Given that they’ve won three and drawn three of their 10 visits to the Grounds, they’ll feel they have what it takes to surprise the home fans, even against a Wanderers team that wants to make this place a fortress. "'It's going to be a big crowd, it's always a great atmosphere to play in," Pacific head coach, James Merriman, said this week. "I think as much as (the Wanderers) are always going to enjoy being at their home, our players enjoy it, as well. We've had some good matches here, it's always a good game." "We expect a big match, and I believe we'll be up for it." In terms of roster availability, Halifax had nothing to note in their pre-match availability, while Pacific looks to be without Lukas Browning-Lagerfeldt for this match as he works his way back from a knock, with the goal being to have him ready for their next game vs. Vancouver FC.

All CPL matches will be broadcast live on OneSoccer, available as a linear channel on Telus’ Optik TV (Channel 980) as well as online at OneSoccer.ca, through the OneSoccer app and on the fuboTV Canada platform.

3 THINGS TO WATCH

Wanderers looking to continue home dominance: For two straight years, the Wanderers have been one of the best in the CPL when it comes to playing at home, as they had the second-best home record in both 2023 and 2024. Sitting with a record of 15W-7D-6L across those 28 games, that gives them 52 points - for context, that would’ve been enough to finish 2nd in the table in 2023, and would’ve won them the league in 2024. Of course, that isn’t a far comparison to make, as the real challenge in the CPL is to be able to consistently win on the road, especially for a side like the Wanderers who has to travel a bit extra compared to most teams due to their location, but it just gives an idea of how dominant they’ve been at home. Because of that, look for them to continue that strong play at the Grounds in their 2025 home opener. Given that it’s a long weekend and the weather looks good, the crowd will be lively and energetic - now, it’ll be up to the Wanderers to put in a performance to match that. "We can't take that for granted," Gheisar said of his team's home record. "Just because you're at home, it doesn't mean that someone's going to roll over and just give you the three points - we have to work for it."

Can Bustos ignite Pacific’s attack? While it’ll be easy for Pacific to look at their offensive performance from their loss to Forge and be frustrated with the fact that they failed to score, there are still a lot of positives for them to take away from that game. A big one was how involved Marco Bustos was, as he had 70 touches, which is a positive sign, even if he wasn’t able to find a goal or assist. Given that he’s still adjusting back to this league and team after a stint in Sweden, one has to imagine it’s only a matter of time before he’s back to his usual best, having scored 14 goals and added 15 assists across three seasons for Pacific in CPL play before transferring to IFK Värnamo in 2023. Pacific are certainly banking on that - that’s why they brought him back, as they lacked a player like him last year, in which no one had more than three assists for them in CPL play - Bustos alone has had at least three assists in four different CPL seasons, including years of six assists in 2021 and 2022 with Pacific. Because of that, look for him to get the ball rolling in terms of this year’s assist haul in this game. "We know the quality that he brings to us and what he can add in the final third," Merriman said of Bustos. "We need to be cleaner and more decisive as a group in the attack; we were a bit hesitant and indecisive in good moments (last week)."

Will Halifax find a rhythm on the ball despite Pacific’s counter threat? Even though they played both of their first two games on the road, Halifax have made it clear - they want to be aggressive on the ball, breaking teams down with their possession play. That they were able to keep an average of 50.3% of possession in those two matches, despite going up against two strong ball-dominant sides in Atlético Ottawa and York United, shows that. Because of that, expect them to be aggressive on the ball against a Pacific side that held an average of just 44.3% of possession in their first two matches, despite being at home. That’s not a figure Pacific wants long-term, as they’re also comfortable holding the ball, but they want to be efficient with their possession, as the first few weeks showed. The balance, however, will be to find moments where they can get on the ball and dictate the tempo, ensuring they don’t wear themselves out by defending all game, while also realizing that the Wanderers' aggression can also be their own biggest enemy. That’s not lost on the Wanderers, who have tried to improve their counter-press this offseason to help overcome that, but as York learned last week, there are still moments where Halifax’s ambitions on the ball can put themselves into trouble, something they’ll want to limit given Pacific’s proficiency in those dangerous transition moments.

PROJECTED STARTING XIs

Halifax Wanderers FC: Yesli; Pearlman, Meilleur-Giguère, Sow, Timoteo; Callegari, Johnston; Telfer, Probo, Rea; Coimbra

Pacific FC: Anchor; Chung, Quintana, Machado, Greco-Taylor; Young, Ndom; Kratt, Bustos, Zanatta; Heard

ALL-TIME SERIES

Halifax Wanderers wins: 5 || Pacific FC wins: 10 || Draws: 8

Last meeting:

Sep 18, 2024 — Halifax Wanderers 2-2 Pacific FC

KEY QUOTES

“It's always exciting to be here for the home opener, it's always exciting to be home, it's great to be in front of our fans - it's just always good to see the Grounds again. It's been quite some time since we've been here, but we've got to make sure that we manage that excitement and make sure that it doesn't overwhelm us, but at the same time, (enjoy) those jitters, as there's that excitement aspect, as well.”— Halifax Wanderers FC head coach, Patrice Gheisar

“We need to be strong in our mentality. If there are moments we're without the ball, we need to stay together, stay composed and work together... we weren't clean in our transitional moments last match, and that's something that we've been very strong at in preseason, so we want to be tidy here, and we want to make sure that we take advantage of those situations and those actions. Then, on the ball, in possession, I think we can show our personality, and have a bit more confidence.”— Pacific FC head coach, James Merriman

‘He has every attribute’: Halifax Wanderers’ Tiago Coimbra ready for breakout CPL season

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 19:14:05 +0000

Less than a minute after his number nine had been lit up in green on the substitution board, Tiago Coimbra latched onto a perfectly weighted long pass from Kareem Sow and burst into the York United penalty area. The Halifax Wanderers' striker let the ball bounce a few times, and deftly lifted it over York goalkeeper Ivan Pavela with the outside of his right boot. The ball bounced once more, before nestling in the bottom right corner. Peeling off in celebration, and peeling off his Wanderers kit, Coimbra was quickly engulfed by ecstatic teammates. As the group walked back toward the halfway line, Coimbra paused for a second, clutching his hamstring, a pained grimace flashing across his face. Just as quickly, he replaced that grimace with a sly grin, as he and teammate Adam Pearlman began high-stepping toward the centre circle. It was a celebration that Coimbra had planned with the Wanderers' medical staff since pre-season, but one that he nearly forgot to execute in the moment until a reminder from Pearlman. "Me and Adam were talking about it in the locker room before the game, that I was gonna come in and I was gonna score, and we were gonna do that celebration," the Halifax striker told CanPL.ca. The goal, which officially hit the back of the net a minute and two seconds after Coimbra stepped onto the pitch for the first time in the 2025 CPL season, stood as the winner in a 2-1 victory over York United. The moment perfectly encapsulated Coimbra's experience in the Canadian Premier League thus far. When the 21-year-old is on the pitch over his past two seasons with Halifax, he has been among the league's most lethal strikers. Limited to just 796 minutes last season through injury, however, as that celebration referenced, Coimbra's immense potential has yet to be fully realized. But with a renewed approach to his fitness, and having gained a wealth of experience and confidence this off-season, the Canadian youth international is primed for a breakout season.

After again suffering an injury in pre-season this year, one which saw him miss Halifax's season opener against Atlético Ottawa and be limited to a substitute role this past Sunday, starting his 2025 campaign with such an important goal was a significant boost of confidence. "Very emotional for me because, like, I didn't really have a pre-season," said Coimbra. "I came back to train with the team and I got hurt right away, missed all the games that we had in England, all that stuff. It was just very emotional and very satisfying for me to be able to come in, and help the team right away like that. So just a very important moment for me." Critical to making sure there are many more moments like that this season is the club's hiring of Nick Edwards as Head of Performance. Edwards brings experience from the Nottingham Forest organization and is already revolutionizing the way the Wanderers approach fitness and recovery. Coimbra says the team has already been in the gym more consistently before and after training, focusing on doing extra work and activation to make sure their bodies are prepared for the rigours of a long season. "I feel like this year is going to be very different," said Coimbra. "Just myself as well, just being able to take care of myself off the field, going to the chiropractor, doing other physio work or other gym work for myself. I feel like it has already helped me come back quicker than expected. Hopefully, this year I can stay healthy and keep helping the team." A new fitness regimen isn't the only notable change for Coimbra this season. When he pulled on his kit this season, it had the number nine on the back, a sign of the club's belief in him after two campaigns of wearing the #19. "Having that number nine shirt comes with a little bit of weight, of some kind of pressure," said Coimbra. "But I've been asking for the number nine ever since after my first year." Coimbra also spent this off-season training with West Ham United's U-21 team, even getting a week of training in with the first team. That experience built his confidence in the way he was able to compete with players at a big professional club in Europe, and some crucial lessons which he will take into this coming CPL season, and beyond. "Just consistency," says Coimbra. "The amount of errors they make or mistakes they make it's very little. I feel like just being consistent, just being consistent with what I do off the field, on the field, I feel like will be the main thing that will help me get there one day." For Halifax coach Patrice Gheisar, Coimbra finding that consistency this year is crucial, because he says the 21-year-old is incredibly important to the way the Wanderers want to play. He says Coimbra provides the team balance, a player who can get in behind and get on the end of crosses from their multiple attacking number tens. "You look at his physicality, his size, his pace, power, he has every attribute," said Gheisar. "I think he's gained experience, he's sharp, he's confident, and now we just need to keep him healthy and look forward to seeing him play week in and week out."

Last season, Coimbra finished sixth in the CPL in goals per 90, with 0.45, ninth in touches in the box per 90, with 5.9 and first in aerial duels won per 90 at 3.62 among all positions, showing his incredible dominance in the air. If he can put all of that together over a full season, the sky is the limit. That is certainly where Coimbra is setting his ambitions and goals this season. "This year I would like to win the Golden Boot, and U-21 Player of the Year, that's my two main goals for myself," said Coimbra. "And being able to get a move outside of North America, or maybe MLS, maybe Europe." On Saturday, the Wanderers return home to Halifax for the first time in the 2025 season. For Coimbra and his teammates, any chance they get to play at the Wanderers Grounds is a memorable moment. "I feel like no stadium in the CPL has the type of environment that the Wanderers Grounds has," says Coimbra. "I just feel like, the last two years, once we get a rhythm going, we're just unbeatable at home." After a disappointing 2024 season for the Wanderers, where they failed to win in their first nine matches and finished a disappointing sixth, missing the playoffs, optimism has returned. Things are already off to a better start in 2025, with four points already collected on the road in the first two matchweeks. The mission is to make sure Saturday is the first of many meaningful matches played at the Wanderers Grounds this year, including deep into the fall. So far, the stadium has only ever hosted one playoff match, a 1-0 loss to Pacific FC in 2023. "At this point, the fans deserve it," said Coimbra. "Like the fans deserve it more than the club does. Because, man, like they really bring it every game. "Last year I had a chance to go to the CPL awards, and I was telling the commissioner, I was telling everybody to be ready, because this year the finals are going to be in Halifax." If Coimbra's bold prediction from Calgary comes true, he will play a critical role. With the number nine on his back, and a new spring in his step, a healthy Coimbra is a game-changer for the Wanderers.

All highlights courtesy of OneSoccer

Wanderers sign Nova Scotian Ben Marsh to a Development Contract

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:59:52 +0000

The Halifax Wanderers have signed Canadian midfielder Ben Marsh to a Development Contract. Marsh, 16, is a born and raised Nova Scotian from Fall River and was an invitee to the Wanderers’ training camp after an impressive 2024 season with local club Suburban FC and Wanderers U21. Marsh was named Wanderers U21’s 2024 Young Player of the Year. “We’ve been really pleased with Ben’s progress since he joined our Wanderers program over the last couple of seasons and this is a commitment in both directions,” sporting director Matt Fegan said. “Ben has shown a maturity beyond his years and a great desire to challenge himself consistently in a professional environment which will be important traits as he pushes his game forward. As a club we want to progress more players from our region along our pathway and his progress is testament to the work being done through our u21 program. The challenge is there for Ben now to follow in the footsteps of other local players who earned first team minutes and he will have the club’s full support in his ongoing development in a patient, deliberate manner.” A member of Nova Scotia’s Canada Games program, Marsh was selected to the Wanderers U21 squad for the 2024 season. In the opening match of the 2024 International Summer Series, Marsh, then 15, scored the winning goal against Ipswich Town U21 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. “We’re excited to have a young man like Ben in our team and watch his growth as a player,” Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar said. “He has a good nose for goal, can play multiple positions, and we’re glad to have a local player with his potential as a member of the first team squad.” Marsh is the latest Nova Scotian to earn a contract with his hometown club, following in the footsteps of local products including Christian Oxner, Scott Firth, Kieran Baskett and Yorgos Gavas. Marsh grew up attending Wanderers matches and has selected the number 39 because former Wanderer Stefan Karajovanovic was his favourite player when he was younger. A player signed to a Development Contract must be a Domestic Under-18 Player, born Jan 1, 2007 or later, and is eligible to make four (4) appearances for a CPL Club while maintaining his amateur status and ability to train and play with the amateur team that holds his registration. There is no time limit for completion of these games. In the 2025 calendar year, a player may sign a maximum of two (2) Development Contracts in the CPL.

Current Halifax Wanderers Roster

Goalkeepers: Sinclair Astridge, Aiden Rushenas, Rayane Yesli Defenders: Jefferson Alphonse, Julian Dunn, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, Nassim Mekideche, Adam Pearlman, Kareem Sow, Wesley Timoteo Midfielders: Alessandro Biello, Lorenzo Callegari, Vitor Dias, Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, Isaiah Johnston, Ben Marsh, Giorgio Probo, Andre Rampersad, Sean Rea Forwards: Jason Bahamboula, Yohan Baï, Tavio Ciccarelli, Tiago Coimbra, Joven Mann, Ryan Telfer, Camilo Vasconcelos

Exciting Updates at Wanderers Grounds ahead of Wanderers’ home opener

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:18:37 +0000

The Halifax Wanderers play their first home match of the 2025 season this Saturday against Pacific FC. In advance of the return of the squad to its home in downtown Halifax, the club is excited to share numerous upgrades that have been undertaken to improve the fan experience at matches this season. CHANGES TO THE GRANDSTAND The Wanderers were able to install additional seating on both sets of grandstands, which will see capacity at the stadium expand to 7,244. The main grandstand has been extended on both sides, and a completely new stand was installed behind the east goal. The new stand is now 30 feet closer to the pitch, putting the supporters in The Kitchen closer to the action than ever and giving them the chance to really bring their energy to the match! NEW GATE TIMES, HAPPY HOUR AND DRINK OFFERINGS Starting this season, gates into the stadium will now open one hour before the scheduled kickoff time. For those fans who love to arrive early, the Wanderers are introducing a Fan Zone that will open 90 minutes before kickoff in the Lawn Bowling Club lot in front of Gates E and D. The club is excited to welcome several new drinks partners this season. Fans will now be able to enjoy Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois and Wyatt Rose Ranch Water along with returning favourites from Garrison Brewing, Sprizzi, Propeller Craft Cocktails, Canadian Club, Blue Lobster and Annapolis Cider Company. The club has lowered prices for alcoholic beverages with a 10% reduction on most products. For the first time, bars at Wanderers matches will offer 355ml cans for under $10 (Michelob Ultra - $7.75, Stella Artois, $8.75, Blue Lobster & Annapolis Coder - $8.75). The entire venue will remain cashless, and all prices are plus HST. Fans will be able to enjoy Happy Hour prices on 355ml cans for $5 each until 30 minutes before kickoff in both the Fan Zone and the stadium. Non alcoholic offerings are available from Pepsi, Gatorade, Celsius and a new non-alcoholic beer from Tuesday Brewing. A station to fill empty water bottles continues to be available inside the stadium. EXPANDED WASHROOM SPACE As the Wanderers continue to work towards a permanent stadium solution, the club is taking additional steps to upgrade the fan experience with the washroom facilities. This season, additional washrooms have been added behind the main grandstand in an effort to cut down on wait times during breaks in the action. ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENJOY THE MATCH Several new experiences have been added so that fans can enjoy the match in our suites and new corner zones! Visit HFXWanderersFC.ca/groups to book your spot for an upcoming match. Rover’s Kids Corner: The perfect way for young soccer fans to enjoy their first Wanderers match with friends and family! Book your next party in the Rover’s Kids Corner. Pizza and juice boxes are included! Celebrating a birthday? Get 10% off a Delectable Desserts cake. Ensuite Premium Club: Enjoy all-inclusive food options throughout your game day! Our new VIP corner has a perfect view of the action while you relax and take in the match! Great for hosting your team, staff or networking event. Ultra Club: A new suite located right behind the west goal. Available for groups large and small! Your ticket to the Ultra Club includes a drink ticket. Suites: Are you celebrating something special? Or want an intimate match day experience with your group? A suite experience is perfect for all occasions! All suites include a dedicated server and a great view of the match! Group Experiences: We can offer customized experiences for large groups! Reach out to our team today and we’ll work with you to create an unforgettable day at the Wanderers Grounds! Available to groups of 8 or more. GET YOUR TICKETS Secure your seat at HFXWanderersFC.ca/tickets before they’re all gone!

Wanderers Sow, Probo and Coimbra named to CPL Team of the Week

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:03:49 +0000

A trio of Halifax Wanderers were named to the CPL's latest Gatorade Team of the Week. Kareem Sow, Giorgio Probo and Tiago Coimbra were all selected for their role in the Wanderers 2-1 victory over York United FC on Sunday.

Kareem Sow (Halifax Wanderers)

Sow’s lovely ball over the top set up Tiago Coimbra’s winner for Halifax on Sunday. He was excellent in Halifax’s build out from the back, completing 61 of 67 passes against York United.

Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers)

Probo opened the scoring for the Halifax Wanderers on Sunday against York with a lovely free kick delivery that fooled Ivan Pavela. It was already his second goal of the season and came during an excellent performance in which he had four shot attempts, and 18 passes in the final third.

Tiago Comibra (Halifax Wanderers)

Just over a minute into his first appearance of the season, off the bench at York, Coimbra made a great run in behind and an outstanding finish to open his account for 2025 and hand the Halifax Wanderers a 2-1 victory on Sunday.

MATCH ANALYSIS: Coimbra plays hero off the bench as Halifax come from behind to win at York United

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 17:47:36 +0000

Final Score: York United 1-2 Halifax Wanderers Goalscorers: Bitar 22'; Probo 53', Coimbra 81' Game of the 2025 season: 6 CPL match: 602

Match in a minute or less

The Halifax Wanderers picked up an impressive come-from-behind victory at York Lions Stadium on Sunday, beating York United 2-1 thanks to a pair of second-half goals to extend their unbeaten start to 2025. York opened the scoring in the first half thanks to a good finish by Gabriel Bitar, and they took a lead into halftime. After the break, however, the Wanderers returned to form as Giorgio Probo levelled the score with an excellent free kick. With 10 minutes to play, Tiago Coimbra came off the bench for Halifax and with his first touch of the 2025 season, he brought down a long ball from Kareem Sow and chipped it past York keeper Ivan Pavela to score a dramatic winner for the away side.

Three Observations

Wanderers rewarded for late-game surge, wearing down York

After the first half of this game, the Wanderers did not look like a side likely to score twice without conceding again and overturn the 1-0 deficit. They'd created their fair share of chances in the late first half, but also looked vulnerable at the back when trying to play out. However, they came out of the break recharged and remained patient as they worked to find weaknesses in York's structure. The set-piece that provided the equalizer was well-designed; Giorgio Probo explained postgame that given the position of the free kick, he preferred to send it across goal, knowing it could be deflected into the net and otherwise would be bound for the bottom corner. The Wanderers' pace is what ultimately broke York down in the end, though. Through much of the second half, they'd been pushing York's backline further and further back, with their wide players looking to get behind the wingbacks and surround the opposition's back three. Jason Bahamboula was key to that early on, with his pace preventing York from venturing too far up the pitch on their left side. He, along with Ryan Telfer and Wesley Timoteo, did a lot of running to wear out the Nine Stripes' defenders, so by the time the pacey Tiago Coimbra entered the match it was easier to make runs in behind. Halifax as a club have not historically found much success on the road; in fact, prior to this game their only other come-from-behind away win was in 2022 against FC Edmonton. However, they were impressive on Sunday at York in their patience, and ability to turn the game around late. The substitutes were effective -- not only Coimbra, but also the likes of Vitor Dias, Alessandro Biello and Yohan Baï, who all added different dynamics the the Wanderers' attack, while captain Andre Rampersad did well to steady the ship with his control of the midfield. After two games, the Wanderers have four points from a possible six on the road, and they've scored two goals in both games. Certainly, there are kinks to work out, but this looks like a more disciplined and dynamic side from early indications.

Effective York press creates opportunities in dangerous areas

York United's front three, through two games, has demonstrated a willingness to run at defenders when out of possession. The trio of Massimo Ferrin, Adonijah Reid and Gabriel Bitar has been effective defensively, particularly in this match where they routinely forced Halifax into surrendering the ball. The Wanderers are usually excellent in possession and move the ball well, but they had 16 missed passes within their own half of the pitch in the first 45 minutes alone. York were able to win possession in the final third four times in the first half, including just before the goal thanks to a feisty run by Bitar to recover the ball. What will frustrate York most, though, was that they couldn't reward themselves more for their advantage in the early stages. They won almost 70 per cent of the first-half duels, and entered the final third 29 times, but turned it into just four shots (and they only had six in the whole game). Overall, Mauro Eustáquio will probably not be overly upset with his team's performance on Sunday, although he did concede that they lost a bit of their energy later in the game just as Halifax's was increasing. At this point in the season, though, it'll be easier to take solace in the effectiveness of the first-half press. That's an early sign of Eustáquio's fingerprints on the team in his first year as head coach. If York can continue to win the ball back consistently, and high up the pitch, they'll be a very difficult team to play against.

Coimbra's instant impact bodes well for importance to Halifax this year

Heading into this season, several pundits have identified Tiago Coimbra as one to watch in Halifax. The 21-year-old has shown flashes of his abilities the last two seasons with the Wanderers, but he has been limited due to various injuries and hasn't quite hit his full stride. He made 20 appearances last year, but only 10 starts. Still, he managed to score four goals and demonstrated his ability to trouble defenders with his pace and workrate. Sunday's brief cameo off the bench was Coimbra's first action of the 2025 campaign after he missed the first match, and he will continue to have his minutes managed in the next few weeks, but if he can ramp up to full form and fitness he'll bring an excellent dynamic to Halifax's attack. Patrice Gheisar may not have expected Coimbra's impact to be quite that instant on Sunday, but when he entered with the score 1-1 it was clear that Coimbra could be a threat to score against the tired York defenders. He showed with his goal that he has a strong scorer's instinct; Coimbra had identified a vulnerability in the back three and he timed his run perfectly to get on the end of Kareem Sow's ball. Then, after bringing it down well, he moved confidently toward goal, and finished with a clever chip after spotting Ivan Pavela trying to close him down. It's possible that this role coming off the bench to inject energy late is a good one for Coimbra right now, who might not yet be able to bring the same amount of dynamism over a longer shift, but by mid-season he'll definitely hope to be starting. Coimbra has the talent to be one of the most effective strikers in the Canadian Premier League, and at his age he'll continue to improve the more opportunities he gets for Halifax. It's too early for prognostications, but an in-form, productive Coimbra would be a game changer for a Wanderers side that sometimes struggled with finishing a year ago.

What They Said

"That position is very weird because you never know if you have to cross or shoot it. I was like, I'm going to cross the ball toward the goal, so if it's going to bounce, it's going to go in the goal; if someone's going to touch it, good, now it's going to go in the goal. I was just making it difficult for the goalkeeper." -- Halifax midfielder Giorgio Probo on his free kick goal "We can come up with any idea that we want, but it's about the execution of the players. I trust that team, I trust those players, and they trust me, so it's a great relationship we have. We came up with a couple of tweaks we needed, but I think there's just a feel that's all about belief with this group. I never thought that anyone panicked, even when they went up 1-0." -- Halifax head coach Patrice Gheisar "We've got to be able to kill teams; it happened in Vancouver as well. ... We kind of took our foot off the pedal in the second half, and they won one challenge, two challenges, we were never able to secure the ball up top and they grew with the game. In this league, when it gets physical, things change quickly, and that's what happened to us." -- York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Giorgio Probo, Halifax Wanderers

Not only did Probo score the equalizer off a clever set-piece, he was a nuisance to York throughout his 80 minutes of action. He had four shots and made 18 passes in the final third, frustrating the opposition both with and without the ball.

What’s next?

York United head back on the road next weekend, when they'll head to the capital to play Atlético Ottawa on Saturday, April 19 (1 p.m. ET). Halifax, meanwhile, will be in Nova Scotia the same day for their home opener, against Pacific FC (4:30 p.m. AT/3:30 p.m. ET). Watch all CPL matches live on OneSoccer. In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980 and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.

RECAP: Halifax Wanderers 2-1 York United

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:49:40 +0000

The Halifax Wanderers claimed a well-earned three points away from home on Sunday at York Lions Stadium, as they fought back from a goal down at halftime to beat York United 2-1. After both clubs started the season with strong results on the road last week, the two sides lined up with the exact same starting XIs they deployed in week one to such effect. The hosts started the game the stronger of the two sides, cutting into the Wanderers' half regularly and winning the ball repeatedly high up the pitch, and after 20 minutes of pressure they found their reward. Gabriel Bitar recovered possession just outside the box and left it for Adonijah Reid, who took the attention of a defender before knocking a clever backheel pass into the path of Bitar. The Ottawa native fired a shot from the top of the penalty area, and though Halifax keeper Rayane Yesli got a hand to it, he couldn't prevent the ball from finding the back of the net. Halifax started to find their way in the game as it progressed, threatening the York goal a handful of times, but the Nine Stripes did well to get men back and block the Wanderers' attempts. The visiting side's fortunes finally turned shortly after halftime. They won a free kick a few meters outside the penalty area to the left of the goal, and Giorgio Probo curled an outstanding ball toward the far bottom corner. It sailed through traffic, and Ryan Telfer ducked at just the right time for the ball to carry over him and into the net, levelling the match at 1-1. Both sides traded blows as the second half continued, with a couple of excellent chances for York -- especially after Julian Altobelli entered the game around the hour mark. However, the Wanderers proved up to the test, and began probing for more chances of their own. With about 10 minutes to play, it was Halifax who found another breakthrough. Tiago Coimbra, who had just come in as a substitute, made a blistering run behind York's defence to get on the end of a well-weighted long ball from Kareem Sow. Coimbra carried it into the box and drew Ivan Pavela out off his line before chipping it over the Wanderers keeper, watching it roll into the bottom corner to put the visiting side in front. York attempted to get into the Wanderers' penalty area late in the match to find an equalizer, but the visitors proved to be well drilled in the closing stages, ultimately holding on for an impressive comeback away result.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United: Pavela; Singh, Higgins, León; Ferrari, Adekugbe, Yeates, Ferrazzo (Kibato 64'); Bitar (Accettola 74'), Reid (Altobelli 64'), Ferrin (Jimoh 64') Halifax Wanderers: Yesli; Pearlman, Meilleur-Giguère, Sow; Bahamboula (Baï 65'), Johnston (Rampersad 69'), Callegari, Timoteo; Probo (Coimbra 79'), Telfer (Biello 79'), Rea (Dias 69')

Goals

22' -- Gabriel Bitar (York United) 53' -- Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers) 81' -- Tiago Coimbra (Halifax Wanderers)

Discipline

42' -- Yellow: Lorenzo Callegari (Halifax Wanderers) 44' -- Yellow: Isaiah Johnston (Halifax Wanderers) 71' -- Yellow: Gabriel Bitar (York United) 71' -- Yellow: Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers) 78' -- Yellow: Nyal Higgins (York United) 82' -- Yellow: Tiago Coimbra (Halifax Wanderers) 86' -- Yellow: Max Ferrari (York United) 86' -- Yellow: Elijah Adekugbe (York United) 86' -- Yellow: Nassim Mekideche (Halifax Wanderers) 90+4’ — Yellow: Rayane Yesli (Halifax Wanderers)

PREVIEW: York United FC vs. Halifax Wanderers FC

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:51:03 +0000

2025 CPL Regular Season — Match #6 York United FC vs. Halifax Wanderers FC April 13 at 3 p.m. ET/4 p.m. AT York Lions Stadium in Toronto, Ontario Watch Live: OneSoccer // Tickets available here

The Canadian Premier League returns to York Lions Stadium this weekend, as the 2025 campaign continues with York United taking on the Halifax Wanderers. The Nine Stripes head into their home opener feeling good, having soundly beaten Vancouver FC the week before to begin the season. In that match, a first-half onslaught saw York stymied by some excellent goalkeeping, but super-sub Julian Altobelli came off the bench to score twice in the second half to seal a 2-0 win. So, York technically finished the CPL's opening weekend in first place, sitting ahead of Pacific FC on the away goal differential tiebreaker -- not that the league table means much at this time of year, but the win in Vancouver was still a perfect start to the campaign and to Mauro Eustáquio's first year as the club's head coach. Meanwhile, Halifax's trip through Ontario continues, after they had to settle for a draw with Atlético Ottawa last week. The Wanderers were entertaining on the day, and they jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but some quick work from the hosts meant the game ended 2-2. The Wanderers were frustrated not to come away with all three points in the capital, but coach Patrice Gheisar was nonetheless encouraged by his team's attacking spark. Historically, there's been little to separate these two sides. Last season, each team won their two games at home against the other, and across their six shared years of history each team has seven wins, with nine draws between them. Both of these sides look significantly different to last year though, with some former Wanderers stars in Massimo Ferrin and Riley Ferrazzo set to lace up against Halifax for the first time. Few significant changes to either lineup are expected for this game; York were without a few players last week, particularly Mexican goalkeeper Diego Urtiaga who recently arrived in Toronto but may not yet be fully ready to play. Meanwhile, Halifax didn't have Nassim Mekideche or Tiago Coimbra available last week; Gheisar said Friday that his full squad is available on Sunday, but it's unlikely they'll rotate much. Sunday's game will be the Wanderers' only visit to York Lions Stadium in this regular season, since their other away match against York will be the CPL On Tour match in Québec City in late May. This is a ground they've done well at before, though, and they'll have their eyes on a first win of the year.

3 THINGS TO WATCH

Familiar faces look to strike at Gheisar's Wanderers: Massimo Ferrin and Riley Ferrazzo both played the last two seasons in Halifax, after joining the club from Vaughan Azzurri to follow their head coach Gheisar to the pro level. Both players have now returned to their hometown Toronto to play for York this season, and they'll be eager to put in a good showing against their former club; Ferrin in particular was a star in Halifax as arguably their most effective attacker in his time there. Meanwhile, the likes of Steffen Yeates, Julian Altobelli and Luke Singh also have history with Gheisar from his Vaughan days, so much of York's lineup will present familiar challenges to the Wadnerers staff. Despite plenty of connections between these sides, expect a fiercely competitive matchup.

Time to start Altobelli? While no coach is likely to draw firm conclusions from the first game of the season, Julian Altobelli's CPL debut definitely gave Mauro Eustáquio something to think about this week. Altobelli came off the bench and scored twice, including with his first touch of the ball. Surely, a performance like that would prompt consideration for him to start the following match; Altobelli could slot in at the front of York's lineup in place of Adonijah Reid, who was limited to just 26 touches in York's opener. That's not to say Altobelli is guaranteed to be York's first-choice striker after a big performance, but he has definitely shown he has the quality to be a difference-maker in the CPL.

Halifax's press creating attacking opportunities: One of the most impressive aspects of the Wanderers' performance in Ottawa was how effectively they were able to recoup possession in the attacking half. With a fluid front line including Sean Rea, Giorgio Probo, Ryan Telfer and Jason Bahamboula, they consistently put Ottawa's back three under pressure and forced rushed passes into the middle which Lorenzo Callegari and Isaiah Johnston picked off easily. "Our best form of defending is having the ball," Gheisar said Friday. "Our players are able to express themselves and manage the game differently with the ball. How do we do that? We need to say to ourselves, we want to be the protagonist as much as possible. ... And when we lose the ball, can we counter-press? And when it becomes set defending, we want to be able to set traps, and we want to try to bring fear to our opponents that if they try to play through us and we catch you, we're going to punish you."

PROJECTED STARTING XIs

York United: Pavela; Singh, Higgins, León; Ferrari, Adekugbe, Yeates, Ferrazzo; Bitar, Altobelli, Ferrin

Halifax Wanderers: Yesli; Pearlman, Meilleur-Giguère, Sow, Timoteo; Bahamboula, Callegari, Johnston, Rea; Probo, Telfer

ALL-TIME SERIES

York wins: 7 || Halifax wins: 7 || Draws: 9

Last meeting:

Oct. 19, 2024 — Halifax Wanderers 2-1 York United

KEY QUOTES

“The players were committed to what we've been trying to build. I talk a lot about us being a unit, not only on the field but off the field. It's good to look into training for them to understand the ideas and be able to execute them. I'm a big believer that during the week we have to mould them, we have to prep them, we have to make sure they understand what's asked, and then when it's game time, it's game time, and I want to give the players that freedom. I want them to feel good in those situations, in their own shoes, and then they have to make the decisions.” — York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio

“If you're looking at the progression the team's made and some of the new tweaks we made to the team [in Week 1], you could clearly see how our identity will continue to grow. The focus is to be at our best in maybe mid-July; if I'm going to tell you we should have been perfect last game, maybe that's not a realistic ambition. I think we could have managed moments a little bit better, but I'm sure Ottawa and their staff would say the same, so I was quite happy with the progress and commitment I saw from my team.” — Halifax Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar

Wanderers announce 2025 Theme Match Schedule

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:34:48 +0000

The Halifax Wanderers have unveiled the club’s theme match schedule for the 2025 Canadian Premier League Season. “From our first season, we have strived each and every game day to create an unforgettable experience for our fans,” Wanderers Founder and President Derek Martin said. “This season will see the return of some of our most popular match themes from past seasons and the introduction of some new ideas that we’re very excited about.” Tickets can be purchased at hfxwanderersfc.ca/tickets or by clicking here. Have a large group looking to attend a match this season? Click here to view our customized group offerings and get in touch with our team! The full theme match schedule can be found below: April 19 - Home Opener (vs. Pacific FC): The Halifax Wanderers are finally back! Dust off your blue gear, pick up the new 2025 jersey and celebrate the return of professional soccer to Halifax for a 7th season!!!! The first opponent to visit the Wanderers Grounds is our coastal rival Pacific FC; you won’t want to miss it when the smoke goes off the first goal at home this season! May 3 - Star Wars Day (vs. Forge FC): Close enough to May 4…right? Support the Wanderers as they ‘Strike Back’ against Forge FC! We’ve partnered with Hal-Con to create an unforgettable match day! Celebrate your Star Wars fandom by dressing in your Jedi costume, get your picture taken with Star Wars characters, plus lots of other fun for the kids! Fans will have the chance to bid on official Star Wars/Wanderers warm-up jerseys worn by our players, with proceeds supporting our community! May 10 - Football 4 All Match (vs. Cavalry FC): A fan favourite returns in partnership with Wagners Law Firm! This match is focused on supporting local soccer and making the sport more accessible. We’ll once again be accepting donations of gently used equipment that will go right back into our soccer community. A great match to bring your child’s youth soccer team out as a group! May 24 - Community Heroes Match (vs. Atletico Ottawa): Our community is full of some incredible humans who put their lives at risk every day to help make our province such a great place to live! The annual Community Heroes Match shines the spotlight on numerous amazing people who live right here in Nova Scotia! 50/50 proceeds will support Halifax Professional Firefighters and Fight 4 Life. June 14 - Welcoming the World (vs. Cavalry FC): It’s an exciting time for soccer in Canada as the world will soon descend on our country in celebration of The Beautiful Game! This match encourages you to celebrate your roots. Wear your national colours, wherever you’re from, as we show what a welcoming place Canada is to people from all over the world! June 21 - DND Appreciation (vs. Vancouver FC): Our annual match celebrates the brave people who serve and have served in Canada’s Department of National Defense. Get up close with various military displays and performances and cheer on the Wanderers against Vancouver FC! July 1 - Canada Day (vs. Valour FC): A Wanderers match on Canada Day weekend has become a can’t-miss event in Halifax. Tickets sell out early, so get yours now and start planning your day downtown on the national holiday! With a 4 p.m. kickoff, you’ll have lots of time to get to the waterfront for a great view of the fireworks after the match! July 25 - Pride Night (vs. Forge FC): The Wanderers are thrilled to be a part of Halifax Pride once again! Presented by Volkswagen, our annual pride match is under the lights at The Wanderers Grounds, with fun from kickoff to post-match. Fans will have the chance to get a free Volkswagen Pride bucket hat on their way through the gates! August 4 - Rover’s Paw Patrol Birthday (vs. Vancouver FC): Our loveable mascot is celebrating his birthday, and this year, his friends from Paw Patrol are part of the party! Your little Wanderers fans will be able to celebrate with football’s most famous Duck Toller and meet some of their favourite Paw Patrol Characters. We’ll have lots of fun activities planned for what will be a memorable match for the family. August 22 - Wanderers’ Kitchen Party (vs. Valour FC): We’re already the East Coast’s Largest Kitchen Party, so it’s time we made it official! We’ll be celebrating local music with performances at the stadium before the match and at half-time. It’s like any other Kitchen Party, just with 7500 new friends! September 1 - Labour Day Classic (vs. York United FC): Long-time Wanderers fans know that a Labour Day match against York United is bound to be another classic. The first edition of this annual event featured two stoppage-time goals as the Wanderers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to earn a 3-3 draw. The Wanderers pulled off a 2-1 win last year and will hope for back-to-back victories. September 20 - Homecoming Match (vs. Pacific FC): Celebrate your school spirit and watch the Wanderers take on Pacific FC! A perfect event for welcoming back school alumni, spending the day out with fellow students or a reunion with some old friends. October 4 - Oktoberfest Match (vs. York United FC): A fall celebration with an Oktoberfest twist! Enjoy a brew with friends and welcome the changing leaves and the crisp air. We’ll create a fall fair atmosphere that will be a perfect way to kick off the season outside! October 18 - Fan Appreciation (vs. Atletico Ottawa): A day for our team to celebrate your incredible support! Our players will stay after the match to meet you and say THANK YOU for coming to our matches during the regular season. Stick around for autographs and photos with your favourite Wanderers!

CANMNT to host open training session in Halifax ahead of this June’s FIFA Window

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:00:25 +0000

Canada Soccer have announced, in partnership with the Halifax Wanderers, that the Men’s National Team will be beginning their June Friendly window in Halifax. This marks the first time the Men’s National Team has visited Nova Scotia’s capital in program history. "We’re thrilled to once again take our Men’s National Team to a new city in Canada,” Head Coach of the Men’s National Team Jesse Marsch said. “We had a very positive experience in Montréal with an open training session last year, and I’m glad we can do it again with our first-ever official visit to Halifax. The country deserves to see this team ahead of our upcoming home FIFA World Cup.” Following CANMNT’s successful open training session in Montréal in October 2024, Canada will be doing the same in Halifax. Fans will get the unique opportunity to watch a Men’s National Team open training session at Wanderers Grounds on Tuesday, 3 June. “It's an incredible opportunity for Halifax to welcome the Canadian Men's National Team to our city, especially when we are a year out from the World Cup," Halifax Wanderers Founder and President Derek Martin said. “From a personal perspective, this is the realization of one of my dreams when building the stadium at the Wanderers Grounds eight years ago. We're proud to be a part of helping to bring the team to Nova Scotia." Canada is set to play in the newly created Canadian Shield tournament in Toronto during the June FIFA window. CANMNT will play Ukraine on 7 June, followed by Côte D’Ivoire on 10 June at BMO Field. Tournament ticket packages are available now via BMOField.com. Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team played the first-ever Canada match in Halifax in the organization’s history with a 2:0 win over Brazil at Wanderers Grounds on 31 October 2023. Further details about the CANMNT’s open training session will be communicated soon.

Sean Rea named to CPL Team of the Week

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:16:52 +0000

Halifax Wanderers midfielder Sean Rea was named to the first Gatorade Team of the Week of the 2025 CPL Season. Rea scored the Wanderers' second goal in a 2-2 away draw against Atletico Ottawa in the club's season opener.

Sean Rea (Halifax Wanderers)

Rea opened his account for 2025 with a lovely turning effort in the 47th minute. One of the CPL’s top creative midfielders, he demonstrated why against Ottawa, creating three chances and making 18 passes in the final third.

RECAP: Atlético Ottawa 2-2 Halifax Wanderers FC

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 20:14:42 +0000

The 2025 Canadian Premier League campaign opened with a bang on Saturday in a rainy nation's capital, as Atlético Ottawa fought back from two goals down in the second half to snag a 2-2 draw against the Halifax Wanderers. This first match of the season provided a first look at two significantly changed teams, with a total of nine club debutants between the two sides. Diego Mejía's first starting XI with Ottawa offered several surprises, including Manny Aparicio and Amer Didić starting on the bench, as Atleti played with a back three of Tyr Walker, Noah Abatneh and Loïc Cloutier with Kevin Dos Santos and Brett Levis as wing-backs. Meanwhile, Halifax played to their strengths with a packed midfield, including a double pivot of Lorenzo Callegari and Isaiah Johnston, while Giorgio Probo played further up as a second striker. Goalkeeper Rayane Yesli got the nod in goal for the Wanderers, making his club debut against his former team. On the wet pitch, both sides played quickly in the opening stages, and the Wanderers proved the more dynamic side early on, creating a wave of chances. The reward arrived in the 20th minute for Halifax. Jason Bahamboula held off a defender to keep the ball near the top of the box and slipped it to the left for Ryan Telfer, who threaded a cross between two centre-backs to find an unmarked Giorgio Probo. The Italian hit it first time on the half-volley, and although Nathan Ingham may have gotten a piece of it, Probo's strike was powerful enough to carry into the top corner and give the Wanderers the first goal of 2025. The teams traded jabs through the rest of the first half, with Bahamboula not quite able to corral a chance in transition while Ballou Tabla stung Yesli's palms at the other end before halftime, but ultimately both defences stood firm and the sides headed into the break with Halifax ahead 1-0. Barely a minute into the second half, Halifax pounced again. Collecting the ball from a throw-in, Probo whipped a cross toward the six-yard box, where Sean Rea brought it down with his back to goal, taking a touch off the defender. Rea turned quickly and connected with his left foot, driving the ball into the bottom corner as the Wanderers doubled their advantage. After making a couple of changes, Ottawa found new life around the hour mark. They drove forward with pace, and Sam Salter picked up the ball at the top of the box, flicking it over the top to David Rodríguez. The Atlético San Luis loanee brought it down and took a touch around Yesli, scoring into an open goal for Atleti's first goal of the year. With just over 10 minutes to play, Ottawa's attack found joy once again. A cross came into the box and chaos ensued, the ball bouncing between various Atleti feet as Halifax couldn't find a way to clear it. At last, it fell nicely for Aboubacar Sissoko, who threaded it into the net for the equalizer. The match's closing stages offered a frenetic energy; Bahamboula hit the post for Halifax shortly after the equalizer, but the home side were spared that late dagger. Ottawa did have a tougher final few minutes, as with five minutes to play, defender Tyr Walker kicked the ball away in a stoppage and was shown a second yellow card, putting the hosts down to 10 men. Halifax did not manage to capitalize on the late advantage though, as the sides went on to share the points.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

Atlético Ottawa: Ingham; Walker, Abatneh, Cloutier (Coulanges 78'); Dos Santos (Antinoro 57'), Verhoeven (Aparicio 57'), Zapater (Sissoko 72'), Levis; Rodríguez, Salter, Tabla (Patterson 78') Halifax Wanderers: Yesli; Pearlman, Meilleur-Giguère, Sow, Timoteo; Rea, Callegari, Johnston (Baï 85'); Probo (Rampersad 76'), Bahamboula (Dias 85'), Telfer

Goals

20' -- Giorgio Probo (Halifax Wanderers) 47' -- Sean Rea (Halifax Wanderers) 60' -- David Rodríguez (Atlético Ottawa) 79' -- Aboubacar Sissoko (Atlético Ottawa)

Discipline

42' -- Yellow: Tyr Walker (Atlético Ottawa)