| Final Score: Halifax Wanderers FC 1-1 York United FC Goalscorers: Mekideche 15'; Ferrin 68' Game of the 2025 season: 101 CPL Match: 696 |
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Match in a minute or less
The Halifax Wanderers faced York United FC in what felt like a rehearsal for the postseason as both sides entered Saturday’s match knowing the result could play a huge part in deciding who plays host in the playoffs.
York head coach Mauro Eustáquio’s side held the bulk of possession throughout the match but conceded first, with Wanderers centre-back Nassim Mekidèche shovelling the ball into the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The Nine Stripes replied in the second half thanks to Massimo Ferrin, who converted on a broken play, securing an important draw for his side.
Both sides left the pitch feeling like they deserved better on the day; given they're likely to meet in the postseason, the best may be yet to come.
Three Observations
York United look to stack the midfield with formation
One of the biggest questions heading into Saturday’s match was whether Eustáquio would again opt to play with a back four, as he did last weekend during his side’s 1-0 victory over Valour. Known for their bombing wing-backs this season, the Nine Stripes instead went back to what punched their ticket to the playoffs by playing Max Ferrari, Frank Sturing, Luke Singh and Orlando Botello for their backline.
Importantly, this allowed York United to free up an extra body in midfield, something Eustáquio emphasized post-match as part of his game plan. Kembo Kibato, Steffen Yeates and Leonel Lopez lined up centrally, allowing the Nine Stripes to control more of the ball. They had the bulk of possession in the first half, hovering just shy of 65 per cent, but struggled to really break through Halifax’s backline, which collapsed into a back five at times.
“Every game is different, every strategy is different and we thought it was best to overload the midfield, especially against Halifax because they only play with two (midfielders),” Eustáquio explained post-match.
“That’s why I thought we got a lot of possession because we had an extra man in those areas.”
Feeling like both Adonijah Reid and Massimo Ferrin were drifting too centrally, York United changed tack by going to their bench in the 63rd minute, bringing on youngster Shola Jimoh to play out wide. Eustáquio was rewarded soon after as Jimoh proved pivotal in creating York’s lone goal, shaking his defender to send the ball in, which ricocheted off Julian Altobelli to land at former Wanderer Massimo Ferrin’s feet. Ferrin, standing only a few yards out, made no mistake.
York United finished the match with 58 per cent possession.
But moving forward, they’ve got a couple different formations they can break out depending on the situation.
Wanderers shuffle squad due to injury
After an injury-riddled 2024 campaign, the Wanderers had mostly managed to stay healthy this season. However, they haven’t been so lucky down the stretch heading towards playoffs as some of their biggest offensive threats were sidelined on Saturday.
U-21 Player of the Year candidate Tiago Coimbra was again ruled out to injury, having hurt himself last month in Halifax’s 4-0 victory over York United. To add insult to injury, Jason Bahamboula has been ruled out for the season and both Reshaun Walkes — the Wanderers’ newest striker option — and Vitor Dias were unable to play.
Head coach Patrice Gheisar made some big changes by moving Ryan Telfer from wing-back, where he quite liked the play of the 31-year old Trinidad and Tobago international, to striker. He also opted to play Kareem Sow as a wing-back for the first time in the defender’s career and moved Wesley Timoteo higher up to an attacking midfield role.
Speaking post-match, Gheisar explained he wanted to pick players who’d rise to the occasion.
“Part of what we wanted to do today was have players with energy on the field,” he said. “Having (TImoteo) on with Sean (Rea), it brought so much energy to the game, movement. Sometimes, you got to get your most committed, experienced and active players on the field and trust them to make the right decisions. I thought we came so close.”
The Wanderers looked confident from the first whistle and had the better chances across the entirety of the match, with four big chances created, not to mention a shot from Yohan Baï in the 86th minute that almost tipped the match in Halifax’s favour were it not for a post standing in the way.
Rea, who has arguably been the Wanderers’ best attacking player in recent weeks also looked dangerous, narrowly missing on his own chances and creating for teammates. The Wanderers finished the match with 10 shots to York United’s eight.
A rehearsal for the playoffs?
It's not guaranteed that the Wanderers and York United will square off in the playoffs, which start later this month, but the 1-1 draw means that it's become increasingly more likely. Neither coach was particularly thrilled with the result post-match but each conceded a point, at this time of the year, is not to be ignored.
Of course, the draw also means that York United remain in fourth-place on the table by a single point. But with two matches remaining, it's still possible for either side to break away to secure the all-important home playoff match.
Both clubs have been good at home this year so the importance of finishing strong — and securing a match at home for their fans — isn't lost on either coach.
Could the Wanderers and York United be the CPL's next big rivalry?
"Listen, one, there's something building there (between Halifax and York), it's great for the league, it's great for the players. I think, maybe once or twice, things went a little too much," said Gheisar.
"This is more about setting up next week, setting up the week after and, eventually, the games we have in the playoffs coming up."
What They Said
“We weren’t only playing against 11 players from Halifax, we were playing against 7,000 fans. Fair play to them but I do think, if we do play here next time — hopefully not — they can boo us a little bit earlier so we can wake up a little bit quicker.” — York United FC head coach Mauro Eustáquio
“We started the game today with seven different players who have played as defenders for us due to availability . . . Our availability has given us challenges but I don’t think we can complain, I don’t think our team was reluctant. I think there was a lot of positives.” — Halifax Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar
CanPL.ca Player of the Match
Isaiah Johnston, Halifax Wanderers FC
The Halifax midfielder was near perfect in midfield on Saturday, completing 32 out of 33 passes, not to mention breaking up several plays and setting up Baï's chance. He also played a full-90 minutes.
What’s next?
York United host Pacific FC at home on Oct. 9 (7:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT) The Wanderers, meanwhile, head to Winnipeg to face Valour on Oct. 11 (4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT).
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