2022 CPL Regular Season — Match #79 HFX Wanderers vs. Pacific FC August 19, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. AT Wanderers Grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca & TELUS Ch. 980 // Tickets available here

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.

June 25th, Starlight Stadium, Halifax Wanderers 3, Pacific FC 0. It was easily one of the most surprising results of the CPL season to date as the visiting Wanderers took home their biggest win in club history, while Pacific suffered their worst all-time home loss. At the time, it looked like the perfect result to ignite a second-half playoff push from Halifax, while for Pacific it was their sixth straight game without a win as they came precariously close to dipping below the playoff line. Instead, it would have the inverse effect. Pacific used that loss as a rallying point for their group, as they haven't lost since in CPL action and are currently on a club record five-game winning streak. They also beat Waterhouse FC of Jamaica 6-0 on aggregate in Concacaf League preliminary round action. Halifax, on the other hand, has won just once since then in eight matches. "We are a different team now than we were then," said Pacific FC head coach James Merriman of the last time these two sides met. "That game was I guess important for us in terms of a turning point and we came together as a group and decided the way that we were going to move forward. There has been a big change in our approach on and off the field. Like I said I feel that we are a completely different team than we were at that time, in a good way, and much much stronger as a group." Particularly demoralizing for Halifax has been their home form during that stretch. Once considered one of the most difficult away dates on the CPL schedule, the fans at the Wanderers Grounds have seen the second-most away goals of any venue this season, and only a single victory since June 4. Both sides could see rotated squads for this match, having played midweek. After equalizing late against Atlético Ottawa on the road in the nation's capital, Halifax suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss as the hosts scored moments later. TZhey will be without both midfielder Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé and fullback Obeng Tabi due to suspension. Pacific, meanwhile, can commiserate, after a solid home performance against Costa Rican side C.S. Herediano in the Concacaf League, they also conceded late in a 1-0 loss. There are other factors at play for the visitors as well. They will have an eye on Tuesday's trip to Costa Rica in the Concacaf League which will likely see them further rest a number of starters. This early afternoon match will mean a four-hour time difference for the Pacific players and will be played at 10:30 a.m. pacific time. "Our group has been excellent in terms of how they have been handling themselves off the field, the professionalism, doing all of the little things right on the flights and when we get into the hotels, so full credit to the players for the way that they are handling [the travel]," said Merriman, later adding, "It is part of the Concacaf journey as well." With that expect another tightly contested affair as there has never been much to separate these two sides. Nine of their twelve meetings all-time have either been a draw or decided by a single goal, including the inaugural match for both clubs as Pacific beat Halifax 1-0 back on April 28, 2019.

Make your match picks prior to kickoff at canpl.ca/predictor for a chance to win prizes, including the grand prize of a trip to the 2022 CPL Final! To learn more about ComeOn!, click here. All CPL matches are available to stream on OneSoccer, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980.

3 THINGS TO WATCH

  • Pacific FC is looking to make more history in Halifax: Picking up a first-ever win in Halifax isn't the only club history Pacific could make on Saturday. A win or a draw would see them set a club record for longest unbeaten run, a stretch of seven CPL matches. A big part of that has been a tactical shift which has been the club playing something close to a 4-4-2, removing a midfield player and adding another attacker. What makes this all the more impressive is that it comes after the longest winless streak in club history, a seven-game stretch between May 20 and June 30 of this season which included that infamous 3-0 loss to Halifax. They have already strung together a club-record number of wins in a row, five straight in CPL action, and are drawing closer to the league record, which is seven straight set by Cavalry in 2019. Forge came close to matching that mark earlier this month, with six wins on the trot, but would see their streak end at the hands of Cavalry last weekend. "To be honest I haven't been so focused on that," said Merriman. "We have really been one match at a time, and obviously, the Concacaf matches in between as well are a big part of that. So we are just sticking true to our day-to-day process, we are still one day at a time our focus is here. And we haven't forgotten about the last match against Halifax either so there is lots to be motivated for the game tomorrow."
  • New formation and system have rejuvenated the Wanderers: Pacific isn't the only side that has undergone a fruitful formation change of late. Against Forge earlier this month, FC Edmonton shifted to a back-five during a 1-0 loss at Tim Horton's Field. At first, it appeared to be a cynical shift aimed at just limiting the damage the Hamilton side could exact on them, but would actually lead to them out-chancing and at times outplaying Forge. This has been the case in each of their last three games since the shift -- including Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Atlético Ottawa in which they had 1.22 expected goals to Ottawa's 0.72. Playing with three centrebacks has allowed Halifax to both maintain better defensive stability while also getting their fullbacks further up the pitch, while also being better in possession. Keeping the ball has been an issue for Halifax at times this season, but since the switch, they have averaged a pass accuracy rate of 84 per cent over the past three matches. "We switched because we felt we had the personnel and it would give us a little more solidarity, especially in bringing the ball out of the back and pushing certain players a little further forward. We thought it was necessary to do so. It has worked for us, we are much improved in possession and except for the last game we were defensively pretty solid". It is worth noting, however, that one potential advantage that Pacific has in this regard is the fact that they did line up against a back five midweek as Herediano deployed one in Concacaf League action.
  • Expect plenty of rotation as Pacific has an eye toward Tuesday's Concacaf League: Merriman has his squad management work cut out for him over this coming week. Travelling to the furthest east opponent in the league on Saturday, before heading down to Costa Rica and a third different time zone (central) will likely mean plenty of rotation in order to keep his players as fresh as possible for Herediano. The good news for Merriman is that he has several players waiting in the wings for an opportunity. Youngster Kamron Habibullah hasn't much appeared lately given Pacific's depth of attacking options, while fellow 18-year-old Emil Gazdov could be in line for another start in net after winning on his professional debut back in late July. One decision that will be made easier is resting Josh Heard, who is unavailable for his game through yellow card accumulation. "We aren't 100 per cent how we are going to set up. I think we are quite versatile, especially in our central midfielders and our attacking players can play different positions, and we can set up in different ways, it is something we feel quite confident in. So we are now 100 per cent sure who is going to play where yet. Of course, everybody wants to play every match, and everyone is fit and ready to go again."

ALL-TIME SERIES


HFX Wanderers wins: 3 || Pacific FC wins: 5 || Draws: 4

Previous match:

June 25, 2022 — Pacific FC 0-3 HFX Wanderers


KEY QUOTES


“I think we need to concentrate on what we do, especially without the ball, how we regain it, and which parts of the pitch we regain the ball. Then how we use it when we do have the ball, whether we speed it up and push it forward or we slow it down a bit and play to the wings” -- HFX Wanderers head coach Stephen Hart.

"I thought they played a good game against Ottawa, a little bit unlucky at the end. They will be frustrated but they will be motivated as well and hungry to come into this match. We have seen that and we will be prepared for that." -- Pacific FC head coach James Merriman

Continue reading...