Tides pick up another former Rapid in midfielder Julia Benati

For the second time this off-season a former Ottawa Rapid player is headed to the East Coast as the Halifax Tides announced midfielder Julia Benati is joining the club for the 2026 season.

Benati, 29, played more of a rotational role for the Rapid last season, suiting up for 23 NSL matches while contributing three goals and one assist. Previously, the midfielder was dominant in League1 Ontario, earning top midfielder and first-team all-star honours in 2021 before being named the league's most valuable player in 2022. She also played professionally overseas in both Portugal and Norway before joining the NSL.

"Jules brings a high soccer IQ to the Tides with the ability to receive the ball in tight pockets and link well with the midfield or execute the final pass,” said Tides sporting director Amit Batra in a press release.

“Her awareness combined with technical ability make her a threat to score equally from inside or outside the penalty box. Ultimately, Jules can make players around her better and fans will enjoy watching her create opportunities.”

Off the pitch, Benati is a licensed chiropractor.

Benati, from Dorchester, Ont., joins attacker Stella Downing as Tides reinforcements as the club looks to add more creativity and goal scoring to a squad that finished last in the league. Several attacking players, including Nova Scotians Saorla Miller and Syd Kennedy, have been confirmed for this season.

The Tides also announced in December that Stephen Hart is returning for 2026, with assistant coach Kennedi Kiarash leaving to take a job as director of Calgary Wild FC's academy.

Cover Photo Credit: Ben Madore