2020 CPL regular season (The Island Games) — Match #34
HFX Wanderers FC vs. Pacific FC
September 15, 2020 at 8:00 p/m. ET/9:00 p.m. AT
UPEI Artificial Turf Field in Charlottetown, PEI
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca

The second “Coastal Clash” of the 2020 CPL season on Tuesday between HFX Wanderers FC and Pacific FC is a tale of two different teams.

HFX is on the verge of qualifying for the CPL Finals after earning a 2-1 win over Cavalry FC during matchday two of the second round at The Island Games. Winless Pacific, on the other hand, enters this contest with nothing to play for but pride after suffering a 2-0 loss to Forge FC that officially eliminated them from contention.

Can the Wanderers go from the league’s worst team in 2019 to CPL finalists in 2020? Or will Pacific play the role of spoiler?

THE SITUATION

HFX can clinch a spot in the finals with a win or draw. They can also advance with a loss, provided that Forge loses to Cavalry FC on Tuesday afternoon.

Pacific FC is already eliminated from contention.

RELATED READING: Wanderers nearing CPL Finals berth: ‘There wasn’t a lot of talk about us’ || Pacific barbecues its way into ‘play to win’ Island Games finale

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• MVP candidate Akeem Garcia: Against Cavalry, Golden Boot leader Akeem Garcia was hauled down inside the Cavs’ box by Jonathan Wheeldon and converted from the penalty spot for his sixth goal of the campaign. Garcia then turned provider by delivering a through ball that sent João Morelli in alone on goal that eventually led to the Brazilian scoring from the penalty spot. Garcia is red hot right now, and Pacific will have to keep close tabs on him.

• Pacific’s PK problem: Both of Forge’s goals on the weekend came via the penalty spot, and conceding penalties has been a major issue for Pacific at The Island Games. The Tridents have given up a league-high six penalties on PEI. HFX has won five penalties (tied for the most with Cavalry), so Pacific would be well-advised not to send the Wanderers to the spot.

• Will others step up for HFX?: Incredibly, Garcia and Morelli have accounted for 10 of HFX’s 15 goals at The Island Games (or 67 per cent). Five other players have one goal: Corey Bent, Alex De Carolis, Omar Kreim and Alessandro Riggi. Will someone else step up vs. Pacific to take some of the goal-scoring burdens off the shoulders of HFX’s dynamic duo? Or will Garcia and Morelli have to continue to carry the load?

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“We haven’t achieved anything yet. We’ve got a game to go. We’re hoping it’s two games to go.” – HFX coach Stephen Hart, after the Cavalry match

“I said it a couple times internally, I feel like we’re on the verge of becoming something special. We’re almost there, it’s just a matter of sticking together now and learning from what we did wrong. I’m happy right now, even though we lost. It’s mixed feelings.” – Pacific captain Marcel de Jong after the Forge game

ALL-TIME SERIES
HFX wins: 1 || Pacific wins: 3 || Draws: 3

PREVIOUS MEETING

August 15, 2020: HFX Wanderers FC 2, Pacific FC 2

The CPL’s first “Coastal Clash” of the 2020 season offered plenty of entertainment and goals. Ibrahima Sanoh converted a penalty in the 86th minute to help HFX Wanderers FC earn a draw, while Pacific’s young team showed well in Pa-Modou Kah’s debut as coach.

REFEREES

Referee: Filip Dijic
ARs: Travis Lefebvre & Stefan Tanaka-Freundt
4th Official: Carly Shaw-MacLaren