HFX Wanderers showcase depth in gutsy 1-1 draw against Pacific FC

With nine changes to starting XI, Wanderers rest key players for final playoff push

Although the Halifax Wanderers were gunning for three points, some draws can feel like a win.

Given the circumstances, head coach Patrice Gheisar and his squad likely feel like winners as they fly home following a gutsy 1-1 draw against Pacific FC.

The Wanderers head back to Nova Scotia with a crucial point and 254 U-21 minutes in the bank, meaning their away performance was enough to jump both York United and Atlético Ottawa on the table, both sides losing over the course of the weekend.

The Wanderers currently sit fourth with 33 points.

Gheisar noted in his pre-match availability that five players had had heavy knocks during their Labour Day clash with York United so changes were expected to the starting lineup, especially considering the club's dizzying schedule of four matches in 13-days.

However, no one could have predicted nine changes to Halifax's starting XI; cornerstones like centre-back Daniel Nimick — who had played every minute for the Wanderers this season — Massimo Ferrin and Lorenzo Callegari all found themselves as spectators. U-21 players Tiago Coimbra, Armaan Wilson and Tomas Giraldo all got the nod from Gheisar.

Pacific coach James Merriman opted to start many of his core players.

And although the Tridents started on the right foot, it was Halifax who struck first off a perfect set piece play from Aidan Daniels late in the first half.

Positioned just outside of Pacific's 18-yard box, Daniels delivered a curling free kick over the tops of the Trident defenders and found Wilson back post to score his first professional goal, giving the Wanderers a 1-0 lead heading into the half.

The Wanderers started the second half with a different look to their defensive formation, at times playing a 5-2-3 while Pacific pressed for an equalizer.

Pacific got their opportunity in the 57th minute following a penalty kick from Ayman Sellouf, who was brought down in the box by Fumpa Mwandwe. Sellouf made no mistake, faking out Wanderers keeper Yann Fillion and firing the ball into the bottom right corner.

That was the only goal Pacific would score as Halifax was able to lock down the pitch throughout the remainder of the match. Pacific finished with a whopping 66 per cent possession, 16 shots to Halifax's five and 544 passes.

Speaking post-match, Gheisar said he was proud of his players given their challenges.

“This is not an easy trip. It’s got its challenges, and just on the trip — the schedule didn’t favour us, we played Monday and our opposition played Saturday, so given no travel and two extra days (for Pacific), this was an extremely impressive performance,” he said.

Merriman wasn't so full of praise for his side given their dominance and, looking at the board, said Pacific needs to capitalize on their opportunities.

"We created great chances in the first half that we didn’t take, so it was frustrating to concede so late. But we can’t rely on a penalty to tie us this game. We’re creating by far enough chances to win this game and to take all three points; we need to be better in front of goal. Like I keep saying, there’s no time left. We need to do it now," said Merriman.

Pacific face Atlético Ottawa on Wednesday; only three points separating the Tridents from Halifax.

Halifax host Cavalry on Tuesday at the Wanderers Grounds.

From the Notebook:

1. The tone of Gheisar's pre-match availability on Thursday was very serious. Through the course of the conversation, Gheisar told reporters that all 23-roster players would get a start over the next few matches and that five players, some of them starters, were dealing with heavy knocks. He did not know his starting XI at that time, wanting to gauge players' health on matchday, but said he aimed to heavily rotate his squad for the Cavalry match at home. Something obviously changed between his availability on Thursday and the match on Friday but it's hard to argue with the results: Halifax won a crucial point away from the Wanderers Grounds, banked 254 U-21 minutes and gave their injured players a rest. Although it wasn't the pretty, possession-oriented football we've come to expect from the Wanderers, their character and heart was on full display against a rested Pacific side. Be it Théo Collomb or Jake Ruby or Riley Ferrazzo, every player wearing the Wanderers' crest put in a solid performance and Gheisar said as much post-match. "We have 23 guys. Fumpa (Mwandwe) hasn’t had a start for so long. Jake (Ruby) was brilliant. Armaan (Wilson) in his first professional start, he plays 90 minutes and scores a goal. Tommy Giraldo hasn’t had a start, plays 90 minutes. Tiago (Coimbra) was good. A lot of guys did a lot of good work. For me, that has to get a lot of attention."
2. A note on the injuries which Gheisar addressed. He didn't mention any players by name but he did highlight that they were players who had suited up against York and that some started the match while others came on as substitutes. I don't want to speculate too much on potential injuries but I did notice that midfield maestro Callegari was wearing a compression bandage just below his knee during the York match. All of this is to say Gheisar made the right call resting players who may have accumulated bumps and bruises as he will need everyone down the stretch. To lose Nimick or Callegari or Ferrin at this point of the season would be a huge blow.
3. Given the lineup shuffle, Halifax took on new shapes in attack and defence, showcasing a formation Gary and Anthony foreshadowed on Down the Pub Podcast. Looking to defend their lead at the start of the second half, Gheisar fielded a 5-2-3 formation which saw Fumpa Mdwandwe (RB), Jake Ruby (CB), Doneil Henry (CB), Cale Loughrey (CB) and Riley Ferrazo (LB) form a defensive line. Interestingly, Daniels came back low to form a duo with Wilson just in front of the defenders, leaving Collomb, Coimbra and Giraldo as the frontline. While attacking, Daniels moved further up the pitch and Ferrazzo tucked in alongside Wilson to form a double pivot. On the right side, Mwandwe did his best Zachary Fernandez impression as the squad played took on a 3-4-3 shape. Although they may not have generated the chances we're accustomed to (Halifax had only three shots inside the box), they more than made up for it on the defensive end with organized lines and a fearless attitude.
4. I made several notes during the match about Daniels and Henry. Specifically, I think Gheisar tasked them ahead of time to really step up and lead by example, giving them added responsibilities through the captain's armband (which Henry retained even when Mo Omar came onto the field) or set pieces. Both answered admirably and steadied a young squad (the average age of Halifax's starting XI was 23.6-years old) through a tough match. For Henry, he earned his second start in a row and played a full 90 minutes for only the second time in 18 months. He was cool and calculated and you could see him talking to his teammates with the authority his 44 CanMNT caps demand. I personally thought Daniels had his best match in weeks as he pushed up in attack and dropped by alongside Wilson while defending. His technical skill was on full display taking set pieces, narrowly missing a free kick outside the box; later, he made no mistake as he hit Wilson for the club's only goal. In a nutshell, I'd credit Daniels with playing a mature game which says so much about his growth this season.
5. A note on Fumpa "Mbappé" Mwandwe: I thought he did well given he was fighting Pacific's Sellouf all match long. He was quick-footed and skillful in possession and unafraid in his defending. He was in the trenches for much of the match and won eight out of 15 ground duels and had four tackles. Unfortunately for him, one of those tackles resulted in a penalty kick for Pacific. I don't want to be too harsh on the referee as I thought it was evenly called throughout but Mwandwe didn't do himself any favours with some of his challenges. Still, a good showing and a good laugh when the announcer on One Soccer mistakenly called him Mbappé.
6. Armaan Wilson got his moment in the sun with his first goal and first start in his professional career. Playing as a No. 6, Wilson strikes a very different profile from Callegari but played a measured game. As noted above, Daniels was dropping low in defence to assist the 21-year old Wilson but he showed his pedigree all on his own. In particular, I think the goal will do a world of good for his confidence as Wilson had missed several golden opportunities earlier in the season. Getting that first goal will be something he cherishes forever.
7. Last but not least, I'd be mad not to mention the high-flying Riley Ferrazzo. With all the changes, Gheisar found some familiarity in playing Ferrazzo as a left-back, harkening to their days at Vaughan Azzurri together. Ferrazzo did not disappoint as he was a whirlwind of movement, playing the role of a quintessential modern full-back and showcasing his technical ability. One moment, he was playing the ball from his nook in midfield and the next he was back in his hole on the defensive line, thwarting off a Pacific attacker. I really liked Ferrazzo's panache and it was a good reminder of the skill the Wanderers have further down the lineup.
8. As always, a note on the U-21 minutes. With Friday's treasure trove of minutes, the Wanderers now sit at 1,400 minutes or 600 off the required amount. Given the Wanderers have five matches left, they'll need 120 minutes on average. Having said that, Gheisar mentioned before the Pacific match that keeper Aiden Rushenas is expected to play at some point, potentially against Cavalry or Atlético Ottawa. Regardless of when Gheisar opts to give his young keeper a chance, he's given himself some breathing room. It'll also be hard not to be happy with the performances of Coimbra, Wilson and Giraldo against a tough opponent.

Cover Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League