Match #9
HFX WANDERERS FC (0-6-2) vs. VALOUR FC (1-6-1)
When: Saturday, June 10th, Noon, CDT
Where: The Wanderers Grounds, Halifax, N.S.
How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all Canadian Premier League games live https://onesoccer.ca/
MATCH PREVIEW:
Valour FC travels to the East coast to face a Wanderers side that has always been a tough out, especially in Halifax. In fact, Valour has never won in Nova Scotia dating back to 2019 with five losses against just one draw. The squad is getting healthy again with the return of centre backs Guillaume Pianelli and Andrew Jean-Baptiste, giving the team more options along the back line and with the rest of the lineup.
They’ll be facing a Wanderers side that opened the season with five consecutive draws and has since lost 3-0 to York United, drew 1-1 with Pacific and is coming off a 2-nil loss to Atlético Ottawa last weekend.
THE GAFFER SAYS:
GM and head coach Phillip Dos Santos on Wanderers FC:
“It’s a team that has played well and has done more to earn points this year than what shows so far. They’re hungry. They play well at home traditionally and their fan base is always engaged in the game. This will be a tough game for us – they all are in this league – and it will be a game where both teams are trying to find the back of the net after struggling to score in the early part of this season.”
VALOUR FC SPOTLIGHT:
#21 Marcello Polisi, MF: Valour’s veteran midfielder returns to Halifax, where he made 36 appearances for the Wanderers over the 2021-22 seasons. Now 26, Polisi brings a steady and calming influence to Valour’s midfield as a defensive presence who can effectively distribute to the team’s gifted wingers and forwards.
CRITICAL NUMBER
.88
Valour has conceded just seven goals in eight matches, with its .88 goals conceded per match total the stingiest in the CPL. On the flip side, the team has scored eight goals in eight matches and has a goal-conversion percentage of just 10.67 – second worst in the CPL to HFX’s 8.00 percent. Interestingly, Valour has fired 75 shots at goal this season, tied for third most behind only Forge FC (81) and Pacific FC (80)
All-Time: Valour FC vs. HFX Wanderers
Overall (win-draw-loss): 5-3-8
Last meeting: September 10, 2022, Wanderers Grounds: HFX Wanderers 1 Valour FC 0