2024 CPL Regular Season — Match #3
Pacific FC vs. Halifax Wanderers FC
April 13, 2024 at 4 p.m. PT/8 p.m. AT
Starlight Stadium in Langford, British Columbia
Watch Live: OneSoccer // Tickets available here

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Pacific FC and the Halifax Wanderers will kick off the 2024 season with a ‘Coastal Clash’, as the CPL’s two furthest teams get set to take the field in Langford at Starlight Stadium on Saturday.

In a rematch of both clubs’ first-ever game, which came almost five years ago on April 28, 2019 at the same stadium, it’s a fitting way for both to kick off their sixth seasons in the league.

This time, however, both teams’ objectives will be much different than they were in those first-ever games. There, they were just trying to stamp out their identity as clubs, figuring out how to find their feet as brand new teams.

Now, it’s safe to say that they’ve found those identities. Fittingly, they proved to be quite similar last year, too; both teams want to play an entertaining and free-flowing style of play, and aren’t shy in relying on younger players to do so.

Because of that, it always makes for entertaining games whenever they meet, and this should be no exception. Especially as both teams head into crucial seasons, with Pacific looking to build off a strong playoff run, one that included a statement road win over this same Wanderers side, while Halifax is looking to grow after an impressive regular season campaign under first-year manager Patrice Gheisar.

2024 CPL SEASON PREVIEW: All you need to know about the 2024 Canadian Premier League season

While Pacific will be pleased with how they ended last year, they face some big questions heading into 2024. Having lost some key pieces, it feels like this team will look different than the one that showed great resilience in the playoffs, where they battled to within a goal of returning to their second-ever final in a 2-1 loss to Cavalry after downing York United and the Wanderers with a pair of 1-0 wins in the earlier rounds.

At the same time, it’s hard to imagine Pacific looking too different than what they showed last year, as some key veteran pieces return — centre-back Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, midfielder Sean Young and forward Josh Heard are heading into their fifth season with Pacific, while fullback Kunle Dada-Luke is getting set for his fourth campaign on the Island.

Along with the return of second-year’s Ayman Sellouf, who finished fifth in voting for the CPL’s Players’ Player of the Year award following a seven goal, eight assist debut season with Pacific, and Adonijah Reid, who had four goals and four assists in his debut campaign with Pacific, and that leaves Pacific with plenty impact players returning at both ends.

Plus, they’ve done well to support them with some new arrivals, such as veteran French midfielder and defender, Aly Ndom, experienced Romanian attacking midfielder, Andrei Tircoveanu, and Trinidad and Tobago international forward, Reon Moore, who are all intriguing international additions who bring some important skills to the table.

Because of that, Pacific will feel that they’ve done enough to make the playoffs for a fifth straight year, once again showing their ability to deal with key departures and not sway from the identity that has made them one of the league’s top teams over the last few seasons.

“It’s important, bringing back that core group is pretty vital,” Heard, Pacific’s captain, noted this week. “There are also the young guys that we had last year who are now another year older and with another year of experience who we’re going to see step up. I’m excited to see them step into those roles, and you’ll see, these guys have grown and there’s a lot more experience in that locker room after just one season, and I’m excited to see them step up.”

“We’ve done a great job,” head coach James Merriman added. “We’ve brought in a lot of quality, and now it’s about them getting used to the Canadian Premier League travel and all of those things that come with it, but we’re really excited about the group of players that we brought in, and the players that are returning.

“We feel strong. We’ve had a really good energy in the in the preseason.”

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One thing’s for sure heading into this matchup – both teams have a lot to prove, and it should lead to a spirited opening match.

For Pacific, they’ll look to remain a team to beat, while Halifax will be looking to affirm that sort of reputation, which should make for an interesting clash.

In terms of player availability, Pacific are just missing Kunle Dada-Luke through suspension for this match, as everyone else is available for selection.

All CPL matches are available to stream on OneSoccer, FuboTV, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Pacific FC wins: 8 || Halifax Wanderers FC wins: 5 || Draws: 6

Last meeting:

Oct. 14, 2023 — Pacific FC 1-0 Halifax Wanderers FC

KEY QUOTE

“It’s important to start strong. We know it’s been a long, long offseason, and then a long preseason, but we feel good, we feel ready to start as a group. We focused on ourselves, focused on our performance, and everyone’s looking forward to the first match and having it here at Starlight Stadium in front of our fans.” — Pacific FC head coach James Merriman