✍️ Ivan Sørensen
Welcome to the second instalment of Wandering the Tides, TrueNorthFoot’s weekly column documenting the Halifax football world.
The Wanderers then
It was a tough contest against Inter Toronto. Many fans would have seen the Nine Stripes as roughly on par with the Wanderers in overall league stature, with the two sides finishing just one point apart in 2025, so this felt like a match where anything could happen.
Last week, I mentioned the Wanderers’ struggles in building their attack. They lined up in the same 3-5-2 against Toronto, keeping much of the starting XI intact with only minor tweaks in midfield, including another start for Telfer. It seems Sartini is looking to give the system more time before making major changes from what was worked on in pre-season.
The match itself was an energetic back-and-forth, with both teams trading goals. Altobelli scored twice for Inter Toronto, while Sow and Ciccarelli found the net for HFX. The stats reflected how close it was, with Toronto holding slightly more possession and Halifax recording a few more shots. There were also four yellow cards, showing neither side held back.
So what can be taken from it? A narrow win and a tightly contested draw to open the season, but is it time to shake things up? Probably not. The new system was always going to take time to come together, and that process is still underway.
One key detail that stands out is Halifax earning seven corner kicks compared to just one for Toronto, a sign of attacking pressure, particularly through the wide midfield areas, while also limiting the opposition’s ability to push forward. That’s how the system is meant to function, though the long-term question will be how it holds up when those wide areas are targeted.
There will be adjustments to come, but this version of the Wanderers has yet to play at home in front of its fans. That changes this weekend when Pacific comes to town.
The Tides then
It feels like an eternity until April 25 when the Tides take the pitch again, but fans eager to get an early look can attend the April 19 pre-season match at Raymond Field, where the Tides will face the Atlantic All-Stars, featuring top university players from the region.
Behind the scenes, the team is no doubt working hard to reach peak condition and integrate the new signings into the squad. With the added benefit of opening the season at home, it feels like anything is possible this year.
Current standings
Two games, four points, and third place in the CPL standings. A +1 goal difference shows those points didn’t come easily. With good results at home, the Wanderers could well remain in the top three after matchweek three.