Pacific FC 1 Wanderers 2: Getting on the right track, a veteran returns and the Golden Boot race
The Canadian National Railway operates 30,000 km of rail, a web that stretches from coast to coast, from Halifax to Vancouver. It covers a lot of ground. There are many trains keeping many schedules. But, if you were to zoom in on a single locomotive toiling away, you'd have a hard time determining if it's on the right track, a strand lost in the greater network.
Now, Wanderers head coach Vanni Sartini wants to believe his club is on the right track. He spoke about the need to see his squad's performances rewarded with results, an essential alignment to get them from where they are (in a playoff battle) to their desired destination (up the league table). Sunday's 2-1 win over Pacific FC feels like another push up the right track; they've now won two of their last three matches and sit fourth on the table.
But, looking at that rail network that stretches from coast to coast, it remains to be seen if the Wanderers have truly found their path. There's been some promising performances and yet their two recent wins came against a Pacific side that's not won a match in nearly a calendar year. There's been growth from younger players, not to mention the return of a leader in Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, but also the same squad issues that've dogged this Wanderers train since they left the station in April. Have they turned a corner?
HFX Football Post breaks down the key talking points.
A diamond — or Golden Boot — in the rough?
Tavio Ciccarelli can't stop scoring.
Following a strong substitute appearance versus Atlético Ottawa, Sartini (who was suspended on Sunday) rewarded his 19-year-old striker with a start versus Pacific and couldn't have been disappointed.
The Winnipeg-born striker made his presence known early as he headed a perfect Jason Bahamboula cross into the back of the net in the 21st minute, marking his fourth goal in his last five appearances. What's most impressive about Ciccarelli's contributions this season is he's currently tied for second in the Golden Boot race — sitting alongside Ballou Tabla and teammate Isaiah Johnston — despite only 273 minutes on the pitch. The league leader, Mohamed Amissi, has played 800 minutes and scored six goals.
Josh Healey
Like Tiago Coimbra before him, Ciccarelli's underlying numbers are strong, suggesting the Wanderers could squeeze more goals out of him if he could get on the pitch more. His average goals per 90 minutes remains top of the league (1.65) and he is second on the Wanderers for shots taken (nine).
“He’s just one of those little players in the box, a fox in the box, and he’s fast on it, he’s a great finisher. He’s like the other lads I mentioned earlier. He turns up every single day wanting to learn, wanting to work hard to prove himself for the team, eats properly, sleeps properly and he recovers properly and goes again," Wanderers assistant coach Daryl Fordyce told reporters post-match.
"It's great to see his development grow quite fast the last few months."
Despite his goal, Fordyce said Ciccarelli was forced off the pitch at halftime due muscle tightness.
'It's a game where we had to bunker in'
The Wanderers may have drawn first blood but the Tridents came out strong in the second half, peppering goalkeeper Marco Carducci with shot after shot.
The veteran 'keeper, who signed with the Wanderers this off season, remained composed despite his side being outshot eight to two after halftime, with only Alejandro Díaz's penalty beating him.
Often, the Wanderers have made costly mistakes this season. They've lost points with what their coach has called naïve decisions. But on Sunday, they responded, with Callegari scoring what would prove to be the match winner in the 60th minute before hunkering down for an important road win.
Carducci said his side is starting to string together some results.
"It's a big topic for us," he said when asked if their recent run was a sign of things to come.
“I think we’ve had some very good performances recently but some blips and moments where we’ve not gotten the results and I think, again, that’s the next step for this team, a fairly young team, a team that’s come together but we’re starting to see those things click.
“(This is) a game where we had to bunker in and I think it shows a different level of maturity from the team. Listen, Pacific came out at us in the second half and played fearlessly and I think we had to dig in and find a way to win and obviously, I was pleased to make some saves but the guys in front of me showed that resilience today.”
Fordyce noted the return of veterans like Andre Rampersad and Ryan Telfer, who have been away for international duty, have helped boost the squad.
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The return of Thomas Meilleur-Giguère
Speaking of veterans, Sunday saw Meilleur-Giguère return to the squad after a surgery on his knee earlier in the season. He logged 11 minutes, dipping his boots back into the fray.
His return can't be overstated: his warrior mentality helps set the standard for the club on and off the pitch.
But his absence over the last several weeks also gave valuable experience for some of Halifax's young players to grow, with Carducci noting the continued development of defenders like Kareem Sow and Finn Linder.
"If you look at performances from guys like Kareem (Sow) and Finn (Linder) as two examples, but I could go across the board, the role of the centre-backs and the goalkeeper, obviously, a lot of the time is less about the actual action you bring on the pitch and more about the presence you bring and the leadership and I think it’s required all of us to step up in different ways," he said.
Fordyce echoed his 'keeper, saying he's seen improvement from the back line and that it bodes well for the squad as a whole.
"Every week we see (Linder) grow, we see Kareem grow, we see Jeff (Alphonse) grow. It's really, really pleasing to see because they're humble players, they're very humble people and they just go about their business every single day," said Fordyce.
What's next for the Wanderers?
There's no doubt that Sunday's win, not to mention a 5-2 historic victory at the Wanderers Grounds, have helped the Wanderers make up some ground on the table.
However, although they currently sit in fourth with 15 points, they are far from safe. Vancouver FC, Inter Toronto, FC Supra and Pacific all have matches in hand. All besides the Tridents are easily within striking distance. The season is only going to pick up pace.
But first, the Wanderers must wait. Their next league match is at ATCO Field versus Cavalry FC on July 18, giving them a respite from a chaotic return from their World Cup break. Earning a point will be crucial; without some sort of result in Alberta, they could very well find themselves outside a playoff spot once their rivals play their extra matches.
Halifax's next match on the calendar, of course, is a friendly versus Toronto FC at the Wanderers Grounds. They play July 9.
Editor's Note: This article is part of our free coverage.
Further reading:
Josh Healey
Josh Healey
Martin Bauman
Cover Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League
