The Wanderers and Valour are again meeting at a crossroads. The question is: which side will use it to propel themselves forward?

In hindsight, it's hard to believe Halifax Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar had to wait until June 10 — nine matches into the club's 2023 campaign — to earn his first professional win.

Up until that point, the club had a record of six draws and two defeats, promising something exciting with their shape and movement yet falling agonizingly short in the little details that push draws into victories. Given Gheisar and his assistant coach, Jorden Feliciano, had just come from League1 Ontario juggernaut Vaughan Azzurri, the lack of victories stung. Their record of 41-2-5 over three seasons, not including their plus 114 goal differential, is the stat line of a footballing dynasty: in League1, they were the undisputed kings. Losing wasn't in their vocabulary.

But on the morning of June 10, 2023 — preparing to face Phil Dos Santos' Valour squad at home — they needed a win. They needed to turn their collective belief into victory.

And the Wanderers responded with their most complete performance of the season, playing free and attacking football to secure a commanding 2-0 win at the Wanderers Grounds thanks to two goals from the now transferred Callum Watson. In hindsight, that afternoon in Halifax proved to be the catalyst for their whole season, propelling them into a trophy chase and the club's first ever playoff berth.

It's almost been a year since Gheisar's first professional coaching win and, be it through injuries, red cards or something else, the club again finds itself at a similar crossroads: at home, facing Valour and without a win to their names. Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Gheisar certainly wasn't taking anything for granted, although his players are aware of the similarities to last season.

"I've said to the guys we can't look at this game like it's going to be a win just because it was our first win last year. Our first game against them (in 2023) ended up being a 0-0 tie," explained Gheisar when asked about the parallels to last year's start. "I think it's important that the group recognizes we need to push now more than ever, every team should do that every week."

Last year, he noted, was a rollercoaster but it's that experience — and knowing what his players can accomplish — that gives him belief.

"I think it's critical we continue to build self belief but sometimes, when you're in a situation where you've hit the woodwork or you're getting a call against you, you're building this crazy thought that the world is against you," he said. "I think the resilience we learned to build from (last year) is to show the group to continue to have belief, get the (first win) and run away with it. It helps, for sure, but it's not ideal. You don't want to be in this position but it does help to continue to build belief."

Gheisar pointed out last year's early losses against Atlético Ottawa and York United as gut punches; although not specifically asked about it, this year's Canadian Championship loss to Ligue1 Québec champions CS Saint-Laurent would fall under the same category.

History and circumstance, however, seems tipped in Halifax's favour.

Valour has never scored a goal at the Wanderers Grounds. Valour's injury list includes captain Raphael Ohin, starting goalkeeper Jonathan Viscosi, Abdoulaye Samaké and others. And Valour has yet to record a single point this season.

But the Wanderers aren't without their own issues. Midfield stalwart Lorenzo Callegari is serving the second match of his suspension. Key attacking players like Massimo Ferrin, Christian Volesky and Ryan Telfer are only now returning to fitness after an injury plagued pre-season. And although they have at least one point to their name, the Wanderers are winless.

There's more than just the score line to consider when passing judgement on a club but winning earns trophies. It could be argued the Wanderers have deserved better so far this year. But so could Valour.

"Every game is an opportunity," said Valour head coach Phil Dos Santos less than 24-hours before kickoff at the Wanderers Grounds. "When the team isn't winning and we see recurring elements that take away points from you, you have to address them and speak about them."

Dos Santos said he's hoping his players don't overthink their situation.

"Don't see the mountain as being too high. You have to get small gains throughout the game," he said.

And the Wanderers will be looking for small gains of their own; they are also climbing a mountain, and it's been tough tramping so far. With a little luck, their path will lead to their first victory of the season, although it's important to witness the little details in their game that creates sustainable winning. Valour are certainly hoping to do the same after dropping all of their fixtures so far.

In fact, Gheisar's message of belief could have as easily come out of Dos Santos' mouth to describe his club's situation. And only time will tell if the Wanderers use this matchup like last year to propel themselves forward or if supporters will have to wait a little longer to see their belief buoyed by victory.

Cover Photo Credit: Trevor MacMillan / Halifax Wanderers FC