2020 CPL regular season (The Island Games) — Match #16
FC Edmonton vs. HFX Wanderers FC
August 26, 2020 at 8:00 p.m ET/9:00 p.m. AT
UPEI Artificial Turf Field in Charlottetown, PEI
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca

Could something finally give when FC Edmonton and HFX Wanderers FC clash at The Island Games on Wednesday night?

Both teams are still looking for their first victory of the 2020 CPL season after going winless through their first three games — HFX has two draws to its credit and holds down fifth place in the standings, while Edmonton sits bottom of the table with a single point.

The Wanderers put in a valiant effort last time out against Cavalry FC, but ultimately fell short 2-1. The Eddies must be feeling pretty good about itself after erasing a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw vs. Atlético Ottawa over the weekend, marking the first time they scored at The Island Games.

The good news for HFX or FCE is that despite their lack 0f wins that neither is out of contention, as a mere three points separates the bottom six teams in the table who are fighting for the last two playoff spots.

A win on Wednesday would see either side move up the table and bolster their playoff chances, so expect a hotly-contested battle between two clubs in desperate need of three points.

RELATED READING: 2020 CPL regular season: The Island Games

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• HFX and the press: Wanderers ambitiously set out to press Cavalry FC over the weekend, giving the Calgary-based club famous for its smothering pressing play a taste of its own medicine. HFX played the Cavs very close as they pressed them high up the park, ultimately losing 2-1, but the game-plan was effective. Cavalry coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. said: “It’s probably been the toughest game of the tournament so far in terms of, it was a very close game in possession, duels won and lost. Credit to Halifax, they’re a bloody good team.” It’ll be interesting to see if Stephen Hart sticks with the high press vs. Edmonton.

• 90-minute performance: Both teams have looked solid for long stretches in matches throughout The Island Games – especially the Wanderers, and the way they made things very uncomfortable for Cavalry. What we haven’t seen from HFX or FCE is a complete 90-minute performance (which is one reason why both teams are still looking for their first wins). Putting in a 90-minute effort could be the difference between a win and a loss on Wednesday night.

• More goals from Ongaro: Easton Ongaro netted his first goal of the campaign over the weekend, scoring late to help the Eddies earn a 2-2 draw vs. Ottawa. Ongaro finished 2019 with 10 goals and told CanPL.ca after the season was over he had his eye on winning the 2020 scoring race. With only four first-round games left for Edmonton, Ongaro has to start scoring on a regular basis if he’s going to claim the Golden Boot.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“I think we need to get nine points total (to advance to the second round), so seven more. If we get that, we’ll be okay.” – HFX coach Stephen Hart, after the Cavalry game.

“I think we started to find a bit of flow and creativity – it’s something we’ve struggled with so it’s definitely good progress. We knew we needed a result and going down two-nil so early on… that’s a hard thing to come back from.” – FCE forward Easton Ongaro, after the Ottawa game

ALL-TIME SERIES

Edmonton wins: 2 || HFX wins: 0 || Draws 2

PREVIOUS MEETING

September 28, 2019: HFX Wanderers FC 1, FC Edmonton 1

REFEREES

Referee: Filip Dujic
ARs: Gabrielle Lemieux & Micahel Hood
4th Official: Mathieu Souare