Final Score: Halifax Wanderers FC 2-1 York United FC
Goalscorers: Ferrin 63’, Coimbra 82’; Nimick 10′ (o.g.)
Game of the 2024 season: 109
CPL Match: 593
Match in a minute or less
Tiago Coimbra’s 82nd-minute winner over York United ensured his team inflicted another famous win on one of the heavyweights in this year’s Canadian Premier League, ending the home side’s season on a high.
Ahead of the last day of the season, Halifax were the only team without the possibility of qualifying for the playoff rounds. York United, on the other hand, were using this game to provide some positive momentum going into the playoffs, while ensuring as many of their first teamers as possible received minutes ahead of Wednesday’s game against Pacific FC.
This week was the first time the CPL featured The Outcome! Presented by TonyBet: all four games began at the same time, adding an extra layer of excitement with the final playoff spot still undecided before a ball was kicked on the final matchday. All games would also be broadcast for free on YouTube, alongside the regular channels.
It was the side from the Greater Toronto Area that took the lead: Mo Babouli drilled in a cross from the left, Brian Wright poked it goalwards, and the ball found the back of the net via a wicked deflection from Daniel Nimick.
An unfortunate start, but it didn’t deter the hosts: Coimbra had the ball in the net following a brilliant counter attack, only for that effort to be ruled out for offside, and soon afterwards, Sean Rea’s glorious ball found Vitor Dias, only for his strike to also be chalked off by the assistant referee.
Halifax picked up where they left off in the second half, and their efforts finally paid off: Clement Bayiha’s excellent cutback found Massimo Ferrin in the 63rd minute, and the midfielder did not hesitate to put the ball in the net with his first time effort. With both sides making a raft of substitutions for very different reasons, it was the hosts who seemed to have more fluidity, and it told in the closing minutes of the game.
A defensive mix-up between York goalkeeper Thomas Vincensini and his defenders saw Coimbra burst in, latch on to the ball, and roll home what would turn out to be the winner eight minutes from time.
York United did try to fashion an equalizer, but that was not their priority on the night: they come through the game unscathed with no new injuries and suspensions and their playoff place already booked, and can now prepare for the knockout stages of the CPL.
Three observations
York’s playoff preparations made just a little bit harder
York United’s defeat in Atlantic Canada means the Nine Stripes have only won one of their last five games… not the best position to be in ahead of their first playoff game against Pacific.
Coincidentally, Wednesday’s game is a repeat of the fixture on Oct. 10, which saw two late goals from Pacific overcome the hosts at the York Lions Stadium in northern Toronto. In that game — like they did against Halifax — York suffered lapses in concentration after the 80th minute to concede the winner.
But head coach Benjamin Mora is confident his side will do better this time, giving minutes to several of his first-teamers during the Halifax game so that they remain match-fit.
“We had a Plan A: to make one substitution at halftime, two substitutions during the 60th minute, and the rest afterwards,” he said. “We knew the players, we knew the moments, and this was all planned, of course.”
“As a club, we feel confident that we can score against any team,” added Elijah Adekugbe. “In the playoffs, especially in big games, we have the know how, the experience, to see out games, and to close out games. For us, now, we’ve had these back-to-back results: they sting, they hurt, because it takes us away from our initial goal of finishing as high as possible in the league, but also now, this type of pain is something that you learn from. We will fight tooth and nail to make sure that we see out the victory and do what we have to and learn from these experiences.”
Young players at the core of Halifax’s future
Halifax have the second-youngest team in the league and are building a core of young players to form a nucleus around which they can build a competitive team in the years to come.
Goalkeeper Aiden Rushenas is 21, all of the team’s defenders are between the ages of 18 and 24, with the exception of 25-year-old Riley Ferrazzo, attacking midfielders Giorgio Probo and Massimo Ferrin are 25, and striker Tiago Coimbra is 20.
“The more we play together, the more chemistry we build, and the more we understand each other,” said Ferrin. “It takes time to build those relationships, and I think as the season’s gone on, you’ve seen that we got more comfortable playing with each other. It’s definitely something to build off of and an important part of being able to be a successful team, attacking-wise, is to create a lot of chances and score a lot of goals.”
Halifax head coach Patrice Gheisar says this isn’t just the club’s policy, but is a crucial part of the CPL’s approach as well.
“That’s what this league is about,” he said. “And you know, when you look at the average age, we’re the second-youngest team in the league, and I’m really proud of the players’ development coming along. To see Tiago come on and score, other young players like Tavio got his debut tonight, so it’s great to see that. I think this really has to be about young players being mentored by the right veterans.”
The Outcome adds more excitement to the CPL
For the first time, all four games on the final day of the CPL were played at the same time, as part of The Outcome! presented by TonyBet. This approach enabled fans in not just Canada, but around the world, to enjoy some amazing football.
With four sides also still in contention for the final playoff spot going into the final round of league games, the format also added spice and excitement to the league, leaving fans unsure until the very end as to whether their team would be moving on to the next phase of the tournament.
While there was little to play for in Atlantic Canada, the remaining games this weekend did have plenty hanging in the balance: Second place (and a potentially easier route to the playoff final) was still undecided between Cavalry and Atlético Ottawa. Cavalry beat Valour from neighbouring Manitoba to clinch second place, with their opponents’ defeat meaning they’d lost out in the race for fifth in the table, and that final playoff spot. Ditto for Atlético’s opponents Vancouver, who needed a win in the capital to be in with a chance of competing in the playoffs. In the end, all they could muster was a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, Pacific (who were in fifth place) had to defeat league champions Forge to be sure of making it to the next round: they did with a 1-o win thanks to Dario Zanatta, but fans were left on the edges of their seats, hoping (and praying) for the right results for their teams, flicking between one game and the next, desperate for the permutations to work in their team’s favour.
The Outcome! Presented by TonyBet is definitely a great addition to the CPL, and based on the positive reaction it has received, is definitely a worthy addition to the league during upcoming seasons as well.
CanPL.ca Player of the Match
Tiago Coimbra, Halifax Wanderers FC
The young Brazilian’s performance was the epitome of ‘try until you succeed’, and was singled out for praise by Gheisar after the game. He was unlucky for the offside flag to chalk off his goal in the first half, but his positioning was impeccable, and he got his rewards — rightfully so — in the second. One to watch for the future. Having already shone for Canada’s U-20 team, don’t be surprised if national team coach Jesse Marsch hands him a call-up in the months to come.
What’s next?
York United are just entering the business end of the CPL: their next game is their all-important playoff match against Pacific FC at home, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
Halifax Wanderers’ season comes to an end here, although the team are still training for the next few weeks. Patrice Gheisar will now take stock of the season, what went right, and more importantly, how to fix the wrongs that have plagued his talented side.
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