HFX WANDERERS (0-1-3) vs VALOUR FC (0-0-5)
When: Monday, May 20th, 2 p.m. CDT
Where: Wanderers Grounds, Halifax, N.S.
How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all Canadian Premier League games live https://onesoccer.ca/
Supporters group viewing party: Elephant & Castle, 350 St. Mary Ave.
MATCH PREVIEW:
The CPL’s only two remaining winless squads meet in the Nova Scotia capital today seeking a ‘W’ to get their seasons jumpstarted. Wanderers have one draw against three defeats, while Valour is winless after five straight losses to open their 2024 campaign.
Valour has had moments to start this season that tease at the squad’s potential but have not been able to piece together enough of them to get a result. On the flip side, their bad moments often end up with the ball in the back of their net due to some questionable defending and decision making and breakdowns on opponents set pieces.
This is the second-last road match of Valour’s arduous start to the season that will see them open with seven straight away from home – eight, including the Canadian Championship loss in Ottawa. Monday’s match is followed by a trip to Calgary to face Cavalry FC on May 26th with Valour’s home opener going June 2nd vs. Vancouver FC.
Valour is expected to again start Darlington Murasiranwa in goal with Jonathan Viscosi on the mend. Centre back Tass Mourdoukoutas has been eased back from health and could make his first start, while midfielder Raphael Ohin is said to be close to his season debut, likely next week in Calgary.
THE OTHER GUYS:
3 Facts about HFX Wanderers:
-Wanderers are coming off a 1-1 draw with Cavalry FC last weekend to earn their first point of the CPL season after three losses to open. They also fell to Saint-Laurent in the Canadian Championship.
-Wanderers have scored just twice in four games – Valour has three goals in five – with their goals coming from defender Riley Ferrazo and midfielder Giorgio Probo. Yann-Alexandre Fillion has started all four league matches for HFX and has 13 saves, tied for second-most in the CPL.
-HFX will be without midfielder Lorenzo Callegari as he serves a suspension for a red card against Ottawa on April 27th.
VALOUR FC SPOTLIGHT:
#1: Darlington Murasiranwa, goalkeeper: He’s often been hung out to dry by some of the work around him and has conceded three goals in 144 minutes of work through two CPL matches this year – a number which becomes much worse when the 7-nil loss in the Canadian Championship is added. But with Viscosi sidelined, Murasiranwa is Valour’s last line of defence and if the club is to turn around its season he’ll have to be dynamite on Monday.
CRITICAL NUMBER
0-1-7
Valour has never won a match in Halifax in eight contests – nine if a loss in the 2019 Canadian Championship is included. What’s worse is this: the club has yet to even score a single goal at Wanderers Grounds.
All-Time: Valour FC vs. HFX Wanderers
Overall: (win-draw-loss): 5-3-9 in CPL play; 5-3-11 including Canadian Championship matches
Last meeting: October 6th, 2023: Valour FC 0 HFX Wanderers FC 1