2023 HFX Wanderers FC season

The 2023 HFX Wanderers FC season was the fifth season in the history of HFX Wanderers FC. In addition to the Canadian Premier League, the club competed in the Canadian Championship.

Halifax Wanderers
2023 season
PresidentDerek Martin
Head coachPatrice Gheisar
StadiumWanderers Grounds
Canadian ChampionshipFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague: Massimo Ferrin (8)
All: Massimo Ferrin (9)
Highest home attendance6,413
Lowest home attendance4,907
Average home league attendance5,854
Biggest win3-0 vs. Vancouver, 12 August
Biggest defeat0-3 vs. York United, 20 May
← 2022
2024 →

This was the club's first season led by Patrice Gheisar, who was announced as the club's new head coach on November 30, 2022.[1] After finishing the season in third place, the Wanderers qualified to host their first home playoff game at the Wanderers Grounds in club history, which they lost 0-1 to Pacific FC on October 14, 2023.[2]

Current squad

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As of September 7, 2023[3]
No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Previous club
Goalkeepers
1 Yann-Alexandre Fillion   GK (1996-02-14)February 14, 1996 (aged 27)   IFK Mariehamn
66 Aiden Rushenas   GK (2003-05-23)May 23, 2003 (aged 20)   Dalhousie Tigers
Defenders
2 Daniel Nimick   CB (2000-09-22)September 22, 2000 (aged 23)   Western Michigan Broncos
3 Zachary Fernandez   RB (2001-09-24)September 24, 2001 (aged 22)   A.S. Blainville
4 Cristian Campagna   CB (2001-11-29)November 29, 2001 (aged 22)   Whitecaps FC 2
5 Cale Loughrey   CB (2001-08-04)August 4, 2001 (aged 22)   FC Edmonton
7 Ryan James     LB (1994-04-21)April 21, 1994 (aged 29)   Birmingham Legion
15 Doneil Henry   CB (1993-04-20)April 20, 1993 (aged 30)   Minnesota United
20 Jake Ruby   RB (2000-06-04)June 4, 2000 (aged 23)   Trinity Western Spartans
22 Mohamed Omar   CB / CM / DM (1999-01-22)January 22, 1999 (aged 24)   Notre Dame Fighting Irish
23 Riley Ferrazzo   FB (1999-08-04)August 4, 1999 (aged 24)   Vaughan Azzurri
Yorgos Gavas   CB   Whitecaps FC Academy
Midfielders
6 Lorenzo Callegari   CM (1998-02-27)February 27, 1998 (aged 25)   Chambly
10 Aidan Daniels   AM (1998-09-06)September 6, 1998 (aged 25)   OKC Energy
11 João Morelli   AM / CF (1996-03-11)March 11, 1996 (aged 27)   FCI Levadia
13 Armaan Wilson   DM / CM (2002-05-29)May 29, 2002 (aged 21)   Providence Friars
14 Callum Watson   CM (2000-02-28)February 28, 2000 (aged 23)   Creighton Bluejays
17 Wesley Timoteo   RW / LW / FB (2000-04-09)April 9, 2000 (aged 23)   FC Edmonton
18 Andre Rampersad   CM (1995-02-02)February 2, 1995 (aged 28)   Santa Rosa
24 Tomas Giraldo   AM / CM (2003-03-08)March 8, 2003 (aged 20)   CF Montréal
37 Lifumpa Mwandwe   RW / LW / CF (2000-12-29)December 29, 2000 (aged 23)   Newtown
Camilo Vasconcelos   AM (2005-03-19)March 19, 2005 (aged 18)   Guelph United
Forwards
8 Massimo Ferrin   CF / RW / LW (1998-12-06)December 6, 1998 (aged 25)   Vaughan Azzurri
9 Théo Collomb   CF (2000-07-11)July 11, 2000 (aged 23)   Whitecaps FC 2
19 Tiago Coimbra   CF (2004-01-17)January 17, 2004 (aged 19)   Palmeiras
21 Jordan Perruzza   FW (2001-01-16)January 16, 2001 (aged 22)   Toronto FC

Transfers

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No. Pos. Player From club Fee/notes Date Source
17 MF   Wesley Timoteo   FC Edmonton Return from loan November 30, 2022
DF   Ousman Maheshe   FC Edmonton Return from loan November 30, 2022
MF   CJ Smith   FC Edmonton Return from loan November 30, 2022
19 FW   Tiago Coimbra   Palmeiras Free December 14, 2022 [4]
8 FW   Massimo Ferrin   Vaughan Azzurri Free December 21, 2022 [5]
6 MF   Lorenzo Callegari   Chambly Free January 10, 2023 [6]
1 GK   Yann-Alexandre Fillion   IFK Mariehamn Free January 18, 2023 [7]
23 DF   Riley Ferrazzo   Vaughan Azzurri Free January 20, 2023 [8]
14 MF   Callum Watson   Creighton Bluejays Free January 25, 2023 [9]
5 DF   Cale Loughrey   Forge FC Free February 1, 2023 [10]
24 MF   Tomas Giraldo   CF Montréal Free February 3, 2023 [11]
9 FW   Théo Collomb   Whitecaps FC 2 Free February 8, 2023 [12]
7 DF   Ryan James   Birmingham Legion Free February 15, 2023 [13]
2 DF   Daniel Nimick   Western Michigan Broncos Free February 17, 2023 [14]
13 MF   Armaan Wilson   Providence Friars Free February 22, 2023 [15]
11 FW   Kosi Nwafornso   Vaughan Azzurri Free February 24, 2023 [16]
DF   Ethan Schilte-Brown Signed to a development contract March 12, 2023 [17]
FW   Kimani Stewart-Baynes   Vaughan Azzurri U19 Signed to a development contract March 12, 2023 [17]
66 GK   Aiden Rushenas   Dalhousie Tigers Selected 10th overall in the 2023 CPL–U Sports Draft April 5, 2023 [18]
15 DF   Doneil Henry   Minnesota United Free July 18, 2023 [19]
DF   Yorgos Gavas   Whitecaps FC Academy Signed to a development contract August 3, 2023 [20]
MF   Camilo Vasconcelos   Guelph United Signed to a development contract September 7, 2023 [21]

Loans in

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No. Pos. Player Loaned from Fee/notes Date Source
21 FW   Jordan Perruzza   Toronto FC Loaned until end of season August 7, 2023 [22]

Draft picks

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HFX Wanderers selected the following players in the 2023 CPL–U Sports Draft. Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in.

Round Selection Pos. Player Nationality University
1 3 DF Anthony Stolar   Canada Cape Breton
2 10 GK Aiden Rushenas   Canada Dalhousie
No. Pos. Player To club Fee/notes Date Source
11 FW   Akeem Garcia Retired October 28, 2022 [23]
1 GK   Kieran Baskett   Pacific FC Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
50 GK   Christian Oxner Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
2 DF   Peter Schaale Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
19 DF   Obeng Tabi   CS Saint-Laurent Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
31 DF   Eriks Santos Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
28 MF   Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé   York United Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
7 FW   Alex Marshall Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
8 FW   Elhadji Mour Samb Option declined December 6, 2022 [24]
5 MF   Pierre Lamothe   Pacific FC Contract expired December 6, 2022 [24]
21 MF   Marcello Polisi   Valour FC Contract expired December 6, 2022 [24]
23 FW   Cory Bent Contract expired December 6, 2022 [24]
DF   Ousman Maheshe Contract expired December 31, 2022
MF   CJ Smith   Vaughan Azzurri Contract expired December 31, 2022
9 FW   Samuel Salter   Atlético Ottawa Undisclosed fee & sell-on clause February 16, 2023 [25]
DF   Ethan Schilte-Brown Development contract ended June 13, 2023 [26]
11 FW   Kosi Nwafornso Contract terminated by mutual consent June 13, 2023 [26]
FW   Kimani Stewart-Baynes Development contract ended July 5, 2023 [27]
25 FW   Ludwig Kodjo Amla Suspended for anti-doping violation August 2, 2023 [28]

Loans out

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No. Pos. Player Loaned to Fee/notes Date Source
37 MF   Lifumpa Mwandwe   Newtown Loaned until February 28, 2023 January 3, 2023 [29]

Pre-season

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The Halifax Wanderers began their pre-season on March 1 in Halifax before traveling to Auburndale, Florida, where they practiced at the Lake Myrtle Sports Park. While in Florida, games were played against Montverde Academy, Stetson University, Inter Miami CF II, and the University of South Florida.

Upon return to Halifax, a series of pre-season friendlies were held April 7 and 8 on Wickwire Field at Dalhousie University, which were open for fans to attend. The visiting teams were the Nepean Hotspurs Ottawa Selects, and Electric City FC.[30]

Competitions

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Matches are listed in Halifax local time: Atlantic Daylight Time (UTC−3)

Overview

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Competition First match Last match Starting round Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Canadian Premier League April 15 October 6 Matchday 1 9 1 6 2 8 11 −3 011.11
Canadian Championship April 19 April 19 First round 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 000.00
Total 10 1 6 3 9 14 −5 010.00

Last updated: 13 June, 2023
Source: Competitions

Canadian Premier League

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Table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Playoff qualification
1 Cavalry (S) 28 16 7 5 46 27 +19 55 First semifinal
2 Forge (C) 28 11 9 8 39 32 +7 42[a]
3 HFX Wanderers 28 11 9 8 39 32 +7 42[a] Quarterfinal
4 Pacific 28 11 7 10 42 35 +7 40 Play-in round
5 York United 28 11 5 12 35 44 −9 38
6 Atlético Ottawa 28 10 6 12 38 34 +4 36
7 Vancouver 28 8 5 15 28 50 −22 29
8 Valour 28 6 8 14 25 38 −13 26
Source: CanPL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Total wins; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away goal differential; 6) Away goals scored; 7) Home goal differential; 8) Home goals scored; 9) Total minutes played by U-21 players; 10) Coin toss (2 teams tied) or drawing of lots (3+ teams tied).[31]
(C) Champion (qualified to Champions Cup); (S) CPL Shield winner (qualified to Champions Cup)
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Tie resolved by away goal differential; Forge: +4, Wanderers: −2

Results by match

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Match12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
ResultDDDDDLDLWWDWLWLWWLWDWLDLWLWW
Position5676787866455565465546464443
Updated to match(es) played on 20 October, 2023. Source: #Matches
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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15 April 2023 1 Atlético Ottawa 1-1 Halifax Wanderers Ottawa, Ontario
14:00
Report
Stadium: TD Place Stadium
Attendance: 7,039
Referee: Michael Venne
22 April 2023 2 Forge FC 1-1 Halifax Wanderers Hamilton, Ontario
17:00
Report
Stadium: Tim Hortons Field
Attendance: 3,827
Referee: Fabrizio Stasolla
29 April 2023 3 Halifax Wanderers 1-1 Vancouver FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
15:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,413
Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin
6 May 2023 4 Valour FC 0-0 Halifax Wanderers Winnipeg, Manitoba
17:00
Report
Stadium: IG Field
Attendance: 2,665
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren
13 May 2023 5 Cavalry FC 2-2 Halifax Wanderers Calgary, Alberta
20:00
Report
Stadium: ATCO Field
Attendance: 3,546
Referee: Fabrizio Stasolla
20 May 2023 6 Halifax Wanderers 0-3 York United Halifax, Nova Scotia
15:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,244
Referee: Renzo Villanueva
27 May 2023 7 Pacific FC 1-1 Halifax Wanderers Langford, British Columbia
11:00
Report
Stadium: Starlight Stadium
Attendance: 2,741
Referee: Alain Ruch
3 June 2023 8 Atlético Ottawa 2-0 Halifax Wanderers Ottawa, Ontario
20:00
Report
Stadium: TD Place Stadium
Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin
10 June 2023 9 Halifax Wanderers 2-0 Valour FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
14:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 5,524
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren
17 June 2023 10 Halifax Wanderers 3-1 Cavalry FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
15:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,019
Referee: Michael Venne
21 June 2023 11 York United 2-2 Halifax Wanderers Toronto, Ontario
20:00
Report
Stadium: York Lions Stadium
Attendance: 1,013
Referee: Fabrizio Stasolla
30 June 2023 12 Halifax Wanderers 2-1 Forge FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
19:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,145
Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin
7 July 2023 13 Vancouver FC 2-1 Halifax Wanderers Langley, British Columbia
11:00
Report
Stadium: Willoughby Community Park Stadium
Attendance: 2,321
Referee: Robert D'Alesio
11 July 2023 14 Halifax Wanderers 2-1 Pacific FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
20:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 5,255
Referee: David Barrie
Note: Game originally scheduled for 19:00, postponed one hour due to excessive rain and flooding.
15 July 2023 15 Cavalry FC 1-0 Halifax Wanderers Calgary, Alberta
17:00
Report
Stadium: ATCO Field
Attendance: 3,867
Referee: Alain Ruch
23 July 2023 16 Halifax Wanderers 1-0 Atlético Ottawa Halifax, Nova Scotia
17:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 5,884
Referee: Sebastian Noshinravan
Note: Game originally scheduled for 22 July, postponed one day due to excessive rain and flooding.
30 July 2023 17 York United 0-2 Halifax Wanderers Toronto, Ontario
15:00
Report
Stadium: York Lions Stadium
Attendance: N/R
Referee: Scott Bowman
7 August 2023 18 Halifax Wanderers 1-2 Pacific FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
15:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,254
Referee: Yusri Rudolf
12 August 2023 19 Halifax Wanderers 3-0 Vancouver FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
16:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,254
Referee: Ben Hoskins
19 August 2023 20 Forge FC 1-1 Halifax Wanderers Hamilton, Ontario
20:00
Report
Stadium: Tim Hortons Field
Attendance: 4,824
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren
26 August 2023 21 Halifax Wanderers 3-0 Valour FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
16:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 4,907
Referee: Michael Venne
4 September 2023 22 Halifax Wanderers 1-2 York United Halifax, Nova Scotia
15:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,254
Referee: Marie-Soleil Beaudoin
8 September 2023 23 Pacific FC 1-1 Halifax Wanderers Langford, British Columbia
23:00
Report
Stadium: Starlight Stadium
Attendance: 3,153
Referee: Alain Ruch
12 September 2023 24 Halifax Wanderers 1-2 Cavalry FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
19:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 5,422
Referee: Yusri Rudolf
18 September 2023 25 Halifax Wanderers 3-2 Atlético Ottawa Halifax, Nova Scotia
19:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 5,132
Referee: Renzo Villanueva
Note: Game originally scheduled for 16 September, postponed two days due to impact of Hurricane Lee.
23 September 2023 26 Vancouver FC 2-1 Halifax Wanderers Langley, British Columbia
17:00
Report
Stadium: Langley Events Centre
Attendance: 2,099
Referee: Mathieu Souaré
30 September 2023 27 Halifax Wanderers 2-1 Forge FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
15:00
Report
Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,254
Referee: Michael Venne
6 October 2023 28 Valour FC 0-1 Halifax Wanderers Winnipeg, Manitoba
20:30 Report Stadium: IG Field

Playoff matches

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14 October 2023 Quarter-Final Halifax Wanderers 0-1 Pacific FC Halifax, Nova Scotia
15:00 Report Stadium: Wanderers Grounds
Attendance: 6,254
Referee: Yusri Rudolf

Canadian Championship

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Preliminary round

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19 April 2023 Halifax Wanderers 1-3 Atlético Ottawa Toronto, Ontario[a]
18:00
Report
Stadium: York Lions Stadium
Referee: Myriam Marcotte

Notes

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  1. ^ York Lions Stadium was selected as a neutral venue due to both clubs being unable to host the match.

References

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  1. ^ "Wanderers name Patrice Gheisar as head coach". HFX Wanderers FC. November 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Halifax Wanderers set to make history and show everyone how far they've come | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  3. ^ "HFX Wanderers FC". Halifax Wanderers. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "'Promising young Canadian talent' Wanderers sign U-20 international Tiago Coimbra". HFX Wanderers FC. December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "Wanderers sign Canadian forward Massimo Ferrin to multi-year contract". Canadian Premier League. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "'Limitless passing range': Wanderers sign French midfielder Lorenzo Callegari". HFX Wanderers. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Wanderers sign Canadian goalkeeper Yann Fillion through the 2024 season". HFX Wanderers. January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  8. ^ "Wanderers sign Canadian defender Riley Ferrazzo". Canadian Premier League. January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  9. ^ "Wanderers sign international midfielder Callum Watson". Canadian Premier League. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "'Incredible grit and desire': Wanderers sign Canadian defender Cale Loughrey". HFX Wanderers. February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  11. ^ "Tomas Giraldo Goes To Halifax Wanderers". Northern Tribune. February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  12. ^ "'Can score goals at a high rate': Wanderers sign international forward Théo Collomb". Canadian Premier League. February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  13. ^ "Halifax Wanderers add Canadian fullback Ryan James". Canadian Premier League. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  14. ^ "Wanderers sign Canadian defender Daniel Nimick". HFX Wanderers. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  15. ^ "Wanderers sign Canadian U-21 midfielder Armaan Wilson". Canadian Premier League. February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Halifax Adds Vaughan Azzurri Striker Kosi Nwafornso". Northern Tribune. February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Wanderers sign Schilte-Brown, Stewart-Baynes to Development Contracts". Canadian Premier League. March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  18. ^ "'Worked hard to get where he is': Wanderers sign Aiden Rushenas to a CPL – U SPORTS contract". HFX Wanderers. April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  19. ^ "Wanderers sign Canadian International Doneil Henry for remainder of 2023 season". HFX Wanderers FC. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "Wanderers sign Halifax's Yorgos Gavas to development contract". HFX Wanderers. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  21. ^ "Wanderers sign Canadian midfielder Camilo Vasconcelos to development contract". HFX Wanderers. September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  22. ^ "Wanderers acquire Jordan Perruzza on loan from Toronto FC". HFX Wanderers FC. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  23. ^ "Akeem Garcia taking a break from football to pursue coaching opportunity in Halifax". HFX Wanderers FC. October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Halifax Wanderers announce year-end roster moves". HFX Wanderers FC. December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  25. ^ "Atlético Ottawa signs Samuel Salter in landmark Canadian Premier League transfer". Atlético Ottawa. February 16, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Roster Update: June 13, 2023". Halifax Wanderers. June 13, 2023.
  27. ^ Halifax Wanderers FC [@HFXWanderersFC] (July 5, 2023). "The Wanderers would like to thank Kimani Stewart-Baynes for his contributions to the club" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "Canadian Premier League player Amla suspended two years for anti-doping violation".
  29. ^ "Mandwe Set For Short-Term Loan In Wales". HFX Wanderers FC. January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "Wanderers announce 2023 pre-season schedule". Halifax Wanderers. 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  31. ^ "2023 CPL Competition Guidelines". Canadian Premier League. March 17, 2023. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.


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