Between their Canadian Championship exit and a 3-0 loss to Cavalry FC, the Wanderers now face their first real challenge this season
It's unfair to say the Halifax Wanderers were bereft of expectations.
There were certainly internal expectations starting this campaign: that of ownership, the coaching staff and players. Fans — be it in person or online — never shied away from sharing their expectations for a better season. And there were also expectations from the league, from sponsors and from the club's various vendors looking to sell hot dogs and beer.
Media, in one form or another, didn't know what expectations to place on the Wanderers and rightly so. Many had wrongly predicted the club's first title in 2024. So, when head coach Patrice Gheisar's squad got off to a red-hot start this year, including earning more road points in three matches than they earned all last season, it felt akin to finding a crisp, forgotten $20 bill in your jacket pocket, a happy jolt of the unexpected.
Saturday's 3-0 loss to Cavalry FC also felt unexpected but, taking in the bigger picture, provides insights into some of the changes and challenges to this iteration of the Wanderers and poses questions to be answered.
And how Gheisar and his players answer those questions — the league having recalibrated expectations given their strong start — will likely be far more revealing than their first six league matches of 2025.
If you'd never been to the Wanderers Grounds, you'd be forgiven for thinking the club started their strongest XI to greet the defending North Star Cup winners on Saturday.
The truth, however, is that four Wanderers were making their first start of the year. Regulars like Lorenzo Callegari, Giorgio Probo, Sean Rea and Adam Pearlman sat following the club's 3-1 Canadian Championship loss to Forge FC earlier in the week. But the players who started, be it CF Montréal loanee Alessandro Biello, the speedy Yohan Baï or former CS Saint-Laurent defender Jefferson Alphonse, looked strong through the first half.
Both sides traded opportunities early, including a golden look for Halifax striker Ryan Telfer in the 15th minute, who struck the post. Cavalry, who came in rested, were energetic in their movement and shape, but were matched by Halifax's fresh legs.
However, with only seconds remaining in the half, referee Sebastian Noshinravani awarded Cavalry a penalty following a crunching challenge in the box by goalkeeper Rayane Yesli on Cavalry attacker Ali Mussi. Reigning Golden Boot winner Tobias Warschewski stepped up to the spot and made it 1-0 for the visitors.
The Wanderers played aggressors throughout the second half, controlling the ball, but were largely kept to the outside. Cavalry managed to score two goals in transition, burying the hosts who managed a paltry six shots all match.
The 3-0 loss is Halifax's first in league play this season.
“When they scored before half, it’s our job to come back stronger and I think we did," said Wanderer Thomas Meilleur-Giguère post-match.
"Second half, we were very good, we hit the crossbar, we had some chances, and we conceded — and I don’t want to say a shit second goal — but it was kind of shit. Now, coming back from that, it’s just . . . We tried, we tried, we tried. They were sitting with 11 guys in their box, which is what they had to do to win, and they did it well. They caught us on transition."
"It's embarrassing to lose 3-0 at home, for sure."
The 3-0 score line certainly didn't flatter the Wanderers.
And as Meilleur-Giguère pointed out, the club has now only scored one goal through their last three matches, albeit all played within a seven day span. It is, he said, about finding the rhythm and confidence the squad displayed up until hosting Forge on May 3.
"We did it at home, we did it away, I don't think we're scared. It's just (about) confidence," he said.
In many ways, goal scoring is about belief, something the Wanderers desperately lacked last year as they — through a combination of mental errors and bad luck — failed to consistently convert on their expected goals (xG).
2025 has seen a much more composed Wanderers side. Some of that can be attributed to additions like Meilleur-Giguère and a full, healthy pre-season for players like Rea and Telfer.
But belief isn't something easily maintained; it's a a value the coaching staff has worked hard to instill into their players beginning in pre-season. It's one of the reasons, so far, the Wanderers have surprised this year.
"We've had a really good start to the season, especially before this game," midfielder Isaiah Johnston told HFX Football Post.
"We've talked a lot about belief and not allowing a loss or a result or bad refereeing or anything dictate how we're going to play and how we're going to go forward. We've built that foundation to believe in each other and our head coach. We're sticking to that; we're not going to drift."
Halifax remains second on the table with 11 points but, as noted, they've subverted expectations. Now, having suffered their first loss of the campaign and been knocked out of the Canadian Championship, the club is faced with their first real challenge as they look to bounce back.
Simply put, the players demand better of themselves.
"To lose 3-0 at home, I feel — and a lot of the guys feel — is unacceptable. If we're going to lose, that's okay, but we can't lose like that," said Johnston.
Although they had the bulk of possession, the Wanderers didn't ask enough questions of Cavalry's defence. Their goalkeeper, veteran Marco Carducci, only had to make one save.
Still, Gheisar said he liked what he saw from his players, especially considering their busy schedule against some of the top sides in the CPL. He said he thought his squad did well given the circumstances.
"I don't think the score really indicates the true story of the game, but no matter what the score is, I stand by the group and we'll bounce back and we’ll be ready next week," he told reporters.
Josh Healey
But for the first time this year, the Wanderers find themselves in search of goals. And after back-to-back clean sheets against Forge and Valour FC, they've now allowed six goals in their last two matches. It may not seem too worrying given they remain second place on the table but, if they are to continue meeting their own expectations, the Wanderers must find an answer to the questions posed of them.
The good news, especially contrasted to last year, is the club has momentum on their side.
"We cannot perform the same and expect the results to continue, we've got to get better every game and we will," said Gheisar. "I have no doubt in my mind, I'm supportive of this group."
Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC
