A look at Cho So-Hyun's calm and collected debut for the Tides
With the clock winding down, and the Tides in need of another goal to kill off any hints of an Ottawa Rapid comeback, Cho So-Hyun chose to attack.
The 37-year-old midfielder's first touch created separation between herself and the nearest defender, Ottawa's Florence Belzile. She then chased the ball into the 18-yard box before switching feet, deftly sliding it past Belzile with her right boot before a smart little ball roll left Sadie Waite, who was making her professional debut, floundering in her wake.
So-Hyun's run didn't end in personal glory as the ball was knocked off her foot in the box but it landed fortuitously in the path of her teammate Julianne Vallerand, who turned and fired to guarantee the Tides' first victory of the season.
Although unsuccessful herself, So-Hyun's decision to attack—a facet of football the Tides struggled to execute in 2025—led to the insurance marker her club needed. It was one of a dozen moments last week where the decorated South Korean international's high football IQ led to her side creating or maintaining possession with her calm play on and off the ball.
None of this, of course, is surprising given her time with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United or Birmingham City, not to mention captaining her national team at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments.
Still, her teammates can't help but praise So-Hyun's skill and leadership.
"I think she's a very intelligent player, I think she's very creative, she's brought some leadership skills here, you know, with her experience. I do think she was a really good addition to the Tides," said attacker Tiffany Cameron when asked about one player she was excited to play with.
"If I have to pick one player, I want to highlight her specifically."
Saorla Miller, who took to the Wanderers Grounds with the captain's armband for the first time, echoed Cameron, adding So-Hyun brings something special to the group.
"She has so much experience that you know she's going to be calm in every moment of the game. That's really huge for us to have someone in midfield that you know, no matter what, you can find her and she wants the ball and she can take control of the rhythm and the tempo of the game from the middle," she said.
"We're learning from her on the field and off the field just with all of her experience."
What's interesting from Miller's comments is that players believe they can rely on So-Hyun when under pressure. She can work as a safety when Halifax's forwards are being pressed. But she can also be trusted, despite being in the twilight of her career, to distribute and be in the right place. Her 61 touches—bested only by Vallerand (68), Sheyenne Allen (69) and Karima Lemire (80)—highlight her involvement.
Last year's iteration of the Tides certainly featured veteran players but, albeit a small sample size, So-Hyun seems better equipped physically to be a difference maker. She played a full 90 minutes on Saturday. And her positioning and inherent ability to read the flow of play bodes well for a Tides midfield that was all too porous in 2025.
Despite her lengthy career, which includes 156 caps for South Korea, Saturday's performance by So-Hyun hinted that she still has a lot of football left in her. The Tides will certainly be looking to capitalize on her experience as they look to show they're made of tougher stuff entering their second Northern Super League season.
Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Tides FC
