Three things to note ahead of HFX Wanderers important clash versus Pacific FC
After a stinging loss at home, head coach Patrice Gheisar's squad is playing to win on Vancouver Island.
Their match against Pacific FC — who currently sit second on the table but only have three more points than Halifax — is part of a stretch which sees the East Coast club play four fixtures over a dizzying 13-day span.
"Obviously, having a setback (against York United FC), you need to bounce back really quick from it. I've done my best to tell everybody nobody cares about Tuesday, all that matters is tomorrow," said Gheisar during his pre-match availability.
Here's three notes ahead of what could be a season defining clash for the Wanderers.
1. Load management
The Wanderers' schedule is busy, to say the least.
Following their loss to York on Monday, the club then flew to Vancouver Island for the Pacific match, which will be played late Atlantic time tomorrow. They will then turn around to host Cavalry FC back in Halifax on Tuesday before capping things off at home against Atlético Ottawa on Sept. 16.
The incredible amount of travel, matches and need for U-21 minutes means the Wanderers will heavily rotate their starting XI.
"We'll look at the Calgary game as a game to get fresh legs in who maybe haven't had starts but right now, all eyes are on tomorrow," said Gheisar, adding that all 23-rostered players will get a start over the next three matches.
2. Playing U-21 players
Gheisar needs to rotate his squad for a variety of reasons, one of them being Halifax still needs 854 U-21 minutes to be eligible for the playoffs.
When asked about the club's plan to hit that target, Gheisar said he couldn't share in detail but that Tiago Coimbra, Tomas Giraldo and Armaan Wilson and keeper Aiden Rushenas would all get minutes starting as soon as tomorrow.
"I'm sure the minutes will work out because all the players I just named are doing great and you will see them all, one way or another, in the next four games," said Gheisar.
He added it's not as simple as slotting players in throughout the season; building confidence in the style of play, especially for young players, can't be rushed.
"You throw them in when they're not confident, you could ruin their entire season," explained Gheisar.
Coimbra will be available and travelled with the club to Vancouver but the coaching staff is still being very cautious with his playing time.
"We have to be careful (with Tiago) because if you push him too quickly, he's exactly back where he started. Hamstring injuries are very, very tricky," said Gheisar.
Halifax also announced they signed 18-year old midfielder Camilo Vasconcelos to a youth development contract, meaning he is eligible for three CPL appearances with the Wanderers.
Vasconcelos previously played with York earlier this season.
3. Injuries and roster decisions
Gheisar revealed five different players — some starters and some substitutes — were dealing with big knocks from the York match.
The result is the coaching staff haven't finalized their roster for the Pacific tilt as they are waiting to gauge players' health on match day.
"We haven't made all the final decisions for tomorrow but what I can say is we're going for the win. Whoever is available, we're taking it one game at a time. Originally, the idea was looking at this four game fixture, we said let's win three at home and go to Pacific and disrupt and take some points and come home. Now, with the York loss, our strategy has to change. We have to get some points tomorrow," said Gheisar. "With Pacific being an energy team, we want to play our most energetic players."
Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC
