7 burning questions as Halifax Wanderers enter 2025 soccer preseason

9, and wearing that number might just be the first step in his journey to greatness. It’s a journey that will be watched closely by Wanderers fans, who are eager to see if Coimbra can live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him.

3. Who will fill the voids left by departing players? It’s not just Ferrin and Nimick who have left Halifax this offseason. The Wanderers also saw the departures of midfielders Stephen Hart and Elton John, defenders Peter Schaale and Louis Béland-Goyette, and goalkeeper Christian Oxner. That’s a lot of talent to replace, even for a team that has kept the majority of its roster intact.

In their place, the Wanderers have brought in several intriguing new faces. One of the most exciting signings is 25-year-old Scottish goalkeeper Jamie Smith, who joins Halifax from Queens Park Rangers in the English Championship. Smith is expected to compete with fellow newcomer Anthony Sorensen, a 24-year-old Danish goalkeeper who most recently played for HB Køge in Denmark’s second tier.

In midfield, the Wanderers have added 30-year-old Spanish playmaker Sergio González, who spent the last two seasons with Atlético Madrid’s B team in Spain’s third tier. González is expected to provide a creative spark in the centre of the park, where he will compete for playing time with returning veterans João Morelli and Jake Ruby.

On defence, the Wanderers have signed 26-year-old Uruguayan centre-back Fernando González, who most recently played for Cerro Largo in Uruguay’s top flight. Gonzalez is expected to shore up a backline that struggled at times last season, conceding the fourth-most goals in the league.

And up front, the Wanderers have added 22-year-old Canadian forward Gabriel Bitar, who joins Halifax from the Ottawa Fury in the USL Championship. Bitar is expected to provide depth and competition for Coimbra and Telfer, as well as fellow forwards Volesky and Akeem Garcia.

Overall, the Wanderers have made a number of intriguing signings this offseason, and it will be interesting to see how these new players fit into Gheisar’s system and help the team improve on its sixth-place finish in 2024.

4. How will the Wanderers adapt to Gheisar’s tactics? Patrice Gheisar is known for his tiki-taka style of play, which emphasizes quick passing, movement off the ball, and possession-based football. In his first season with the Wanderers, Gheisar’s tactics were a revelation, as the team played some of the most attractive soccer in the league and finished third in the standings.

But in his second season, Gheisar’s tactics seemed to lose their effectiveness, as the Wanderers struggled to score goals and conceded too many at the other end. The team’s discipline also came into question, as they received a league-high eight red cards and were frequently penalized for fouls and dissent.

This offseason, Gheisar has emphasized the need for his players to be more disciplined and focused on the pitch. He has also hinted at some tactical tweaks that he believes will help the team play more effectively and create more scoring opportunities.

One of the keys to Gheisar’s success will be getting the most out of his new signings and integrating them into his system quickly. If the Wanderers can adapt to Gheisar’s tactics and play with discipline and focus, they have the potential to challenge for a playoff spot and compete with the top teams in the league.

5. Can the Wanderers improve their away form? One of the Wanderers’ biggest weaknesses last season was their away form, as the team won just three of 14 matches on the road and conceded 24 goals in the process. By contrast, Halifax had the second-best home record in the league, winning nine of 14 matches at Wanderers Grounds and conceding just 12 goals.

If the Wanderers are to improve on their sixth-place finish in 2024, they will need to find a way to pick up more points away from home. This will require better defensive organization, more clinical finishing, and a greater focus on discipline and concentration.

Gheisar has spoken about the importance of mental toughness and resilience in his players, and these qualities will be crucial if the Wanderers are to turn their away form around. With a number of tough road trips on the schedule this season, including visits to Forge FC, Cavalry FC, and Pacific FC, the Wanderers will need to be at their best away from home if they are to compete with the top teams in the league.

6. What impact will the Wanderers’ trip to England have? This season, the Wanderers will travel to England for the first time in club history, where they will train with and play against several top English clubs. The trip is part of the team’s pre-season preparations and will give the players a chance to test themselves against high-level competition and experience a different footballing culture.

Gheisar has spoken about the importance of the trip for the team’s development and believes that it will help the players bond and grow as a unit. The Wanderers will face several tough opponents in England, including West Ham United’s under-21 team, and the experience should stand them in good stead for the upcoming CPL season.

The trip will also give the Wanderers a chance to showcase their talents to English scouts and potentially attract interest from clubs in the UK and Europe. Several CPL players have made the move to Europe in recent years, and a strong showing in England could open doors for some of Halifax’s players to make a similar leap.

Overall, the Wanderers’ trip to England promises to be a valuable experience for the team and could have a significant impact on their performance in the upcoming season.

7. What are the Wanderers’ expectations for 2025? After a disappointing sixth-place finish in 2024, the Wanderers have set their sights on a playoff spot and a deep run in the Canadian Championship this season. Gheisar has spoken about the need for his players to be more disciplined and focused, and he believes that the team has the talent and potential to challenge for a top-four finish in the league.

The Wanderers have made a number of key signings this offseason and have retained the core of their squad from last season, so there is reason for optimism heading into the new campaign. If Gheisar can get the most out of his players and instill a winning mentality in the team, the Wanderers have the potential to surprise a few people and compete with the top teams in the league.

With the season set to kick off on April 5, Wanderers fans will be eagerly watching to see how their team performs and whether they can fulfill their lofty expectations for 2025. It promises to be an exciting season for Halifax Wanderers and their supporters, and the team will be hoping to make some noise in the CPL this year.