The Halifax Wanderers head on the road with aspirations of climbing the table, as they travel to Winnipeg on Saturday to play Valour FC.
Patrice Gheisar's Wanderers side has a golden opportunity to leapfrog York United into fourth in the CPL table with a win, and in doing so give themselves a much better chance of finishing in the top four and hosting a playoff game. Heading into this penultimate match of their regular season, Halifax sit two points behind York.
If they're destined to play in that midweek knockout match between fourth and fifth at the start of the playoffs, the Wanderers would certainly rather it be at home, where they've been much stronger this year.
To get there, though, they need one more big performance on the road.
Valour won't be an easy opponent for the Wanderers, either. Although the Winnipeg club aren't in contention for a playoff spot, they've proven a tricky team to beat at Princess Auto Stadium in recent weeks.
They're unbeaten in their last four home games, including a win over league leaders Forge FC, and last week they mostly outplayed second-place Atlético Ottawa in a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Still, Valour do sit sixth in the CPL table (tied on points with seventh-place Pacific FC), and their main tangible goal in these last two weeks of the season is to stay there, and not get passed by either Pacific or Vancouver.
The fact that York United could only muster a draw at home on Thursday was welcome news for Halifax, who could take over fourth place and control their own destiny heading into next week's final slate of matches in the Outcome. That breathing room would be very welcome, considering they'll be hosting an Atlético Ottawa side that might be fighting tooth-and-nail for the CPL Shield.
Last time these sides met, it was a lopsided 4-1 Wanderers win in Halifax back in August. In fact, Halifax have won all three games they've played against Valour in 2025, so the Winnipegers would love to get one back.
It'll be an interesting week for Gheisar and his Halifax coaching staff, with quite a thin squad to choose from this week. They're missing Wesley Timoteo, who's suspended for yellow card accumulation, as well three players on international duty in Rayane Yesli (Algeria), Ryan Telfer and Andre Rampersad (both Trinidad and Tobago). Plus, they remain without forwards Tiago Coimbra and Jason Bahamboula do to injury, and it's unclear whether or not Reshaun Walkes is fit this week either after missing the last few, or Vitor Dias after his surprise exclusion a week ago.
Valour, meanwhile, seem to be in pretty good health, the most notable concern being goalkeeper Emil Gazdov, who has been dealing with a minor thumb injury the past couple weeks. He could be ready to start again this week, and it's likely that coach Phillip Dos Santos will want to give him another start at home before the season ends.
3 THINGS TO WATCH
-
Big moment for Rushenas in Halifax net: With Rayane Yesli away on international duty, Halifax will have to use a backup goalkeeper for the first time this season. Aiden Rushenas is the likely one to get the nod, having been on the bench for all but two Wanderers games this season. This is his fourth year with the club, but he has only made four appearances, all of them in 2024. The 22-year-old Toronto native did well in his starts last season, finally getting his first CPL win in the last match of the season against York. However, this might be the most high-pressure situation he's been put in for the Wanderers. It's a moment Rushenas has been waiting quite some time for; is he reay to answer the call?
-
Valour keen to finish home schedule on a high: It's been another frustrating season in Winnipeg, but Phil Dos Santos won't allow his players to pack it in early despite their elimination. Each player has something to prove in these final two games of the season, and it's particularly important that they put up a good fight in their final home game of the year. Sixteen of Valour's 23 points so far have come at Princess Auto Stadium, and they'd love to add three more. Helping their cause this week is the fact that Halifax have struggled on the road (3-3-7 in the CPL this year), and that the Wanderers are missing so many key players. Valour would love to give their home fans one more moment to celebrate for 2025 before heading into the off-season.
-
How do Halifax line up attack? There are a lot of names missing in the Wanderers' attack. First they lost Tiago Coimbra to injury, then lost his replacement Jason Bahamboula for the same. Reshaun Walkes, too, has been hurt. Last week, they played a front three with Ryan Telfer at the number nine spot, and Wes Timoteo on the wing. Both of them are out this week too. The only attacking players with significant minutes played that remain available are Sean Rea and Yohan Baï. They'll surely both start, but neither is a natural striker so it's unclear in what positions. Could Rea play as a false nine? Possibly, but then the question becomes who plays the other wing opposite Baï. It's almost certain that a young player like Camilo Vasconcelos or Tavio Ciccarelli gets a rare opportunity here, partly because Patrice Gheisar may have no other options.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Valour FC: Gazdov; Alarcón, Konincks, Facchineri, Antonoglou; Ohin, Figureido; Twardek, Froese, Faria; Morgan
Halifax Wanderers: Rushenas; Pearlman, Alphonse, Meilleur-Giguère, Mekideche, Sow; Callegari, Johnston; Vasconcelos, Baï, Rea
ALL-TIME SERIES
Valour wins: 7 || Halifax wins: 15 || Draws: 4
Last meeting:
Aug. 21, 2025 — Halifax Wanderers 4-1 Valour FC
