Wanderers tap into MLS Next Pro talent with Linder, Olguin signings
Finn Linder and Lucas Olguin, the Halifax Wanderers' two most recent signings, couldn't be more different on paper.
The son of German and New Zealand parents, Linder's family settled in Calgary, AB., before he moved away to join the Vancouver Whitecaps development program at 16-years old. Olguin, meanwhile, claims Argentinian heritage through his dad and Cuban from his mom, and grew up in Toronto, joining Toronto FC's academy in 2015. Where Linder towers at centre-back (6-foot-4 / 193 cm), Olguin (5-foot-7 / 170 cm) motors across the pitch as a midfielder and self-proclaimed tempo player. They differ also in the football they consume, with Linder admitting to a soft spot for Arsenal while Olguin embraces the chaos of being a Barcelona supporter, watching Pedri and Frenkie de Jong with a keen eye.
But they share similarities, too, especially in that they're both looking to prove themselves with the Wanderers following time in MLS Next Pro. Discussing their signings with HFX Football Post, it becomes immediately clear that each, although they made their decisions separately, were drawn to head coach and general manager Vanni Sartini's vision.
"I had some other CPL interest as well," says Olguin, 20, from home in Toronto. "But I feel like it came down to Halifax where I met with Matt (Fegan), where I met with Vanni, they did seem very interested in me, they seemed like they had a lot of confidence in me."
Linder, of course, is very familiar with Sartini and his system as he spent years under the Italian coach's tutelage.
"I think for me, when I saw the offer, one of the big attractions was Vanni. We had talked a lot about it and I think he provides a lot of opportunity for me. (The Wanderers) also play on grass, the fanbase looks amazing there. I've watched games and I've seen they always sell out the stadium and the community gets behind the team and that's something I really want to be part of," says the 21-year old defender.
"It's been exciting, especially working with Vanni. "
While in Vancouver, Linder says Sartini ensured that the first-team and MLS Next Pro team played the same system, which was a back three with a focus on attacking football. Moving to the Wanderers shouldn't offer Linder many surprises on the pitch given he'd made 45 appearances for Whitecaps 2 before an ACL injury derailed last season.
"It was a lot on the outside (centre-back roles) about taking your space, driving with the ball but also having to defend in those wide areas when you're exposed at the back," explains Linder. "I find my strengths are in one-on-one defending, especially because you've got to do a lot of that with a back three system."
It's natural that there'll be more of a transition for Olguin but he arrives in Nova Scotia with plenty of MLS Next Pro experience to his name. He totaled nearly 4,600 minutes across three seasons with Toronto FC 2 and says he hopes to continue to improve under Sartini, especially as one of the club's U-21 players.
Olguin joins a crowded midfield with players like Lorenzo Callegari, Isaiah Johnston and Andre Rampersad under contract.
"I feel most comfortable as a midfielder, definitely in the No. 6 or 8 position," he says of his style. "I have great stamina, I can be a box-to-box player in that way, and one of my greatest aspects is I'm a tempo player. I love to play the ball, I love to keep possession, when to attack, when to defend, when to draw defenders in."
Olguin adds that former Wanderer Adam Pearlman, who he knows from Toronto FC, gave him his stamp of approval.
"I've been playing with Adam for years and he gave me a little push as well, showing me Halifax is a great spot, it's got great fans, it's got a great stadium. Those interests played into mind and pushed me in this direction," he says.
It remains to be seen how either player will be deployed but both said they're ready to play football in the Maritimes.
"I'm fully good to go now and I'm really excited to get back onto the field," says Linder when asked about his injury.
“It’s taught me that I just want to be playing and Halifax giving me that opportunity again is super, super exciting. I can’t wait to get back to it.”
