FC Supra du Québec vs. Halifax Wanderers
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There is little room for error. That could sum up what is at stake when FC Supra (fifth, 22 points) hosts Halifax Wanderers (sixth, 20 points).
Although they have played one fewer game than Vancouver FC (30 points), currently fourth in the standings and occupying the final playoff spot, FC Supra sit eight points back of the final playoff position. With eight games remaining, closing that gap is not impossible, but it will be difficult.
For the Wanderers, the situation is even more critical. They are 10 points behind fourth-place Vancouver, despite having played the same number of games. At this point, they will almost need a miracle to make the playoffs. Needless to say, dropping points would do little to improve their situation.
The East Coast side is also going through a difficult stretch. In their last seven matches, Vanni Sartini's side has lost five times, along with one draw and just one win. That included a loss to Pacific FC, who had gone 386 days and 27 matches without a victory.
Defensively, the Wanderers do not have the worst record in the league, with Inter Toronto and Pacific FC having conceded more goals. Still, their recent numbers are concerning, with 13 goals conceded over their last five matches.
Is FC Supra's situation any better? Not really. The Quebec side has won just one of its last six matches. Their most recent defeat, a 3-2 loss away to Vancouver FC, was particularly damaging.
Supra had just recorded their first clean sheet of the season with a 1-0 victory over Forge FC. The Quebec side had also finally returned to winning ways at home for the first time since May 29. But in Vancouver, after taking a 2-0 lead, that positive momentum disappeared, as three goals conceded ultimately dealt a major blow to their hopes of closing the gap in the standings.
As has often been the case, the final 20 minutes proved costly, with Elage Bah scoring the winning goal in the 72nd minute. This season in the CPL, FC Supra has conceded 12 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches, accounting for 33 per cent of all goals conceded.
The second half could once again be the scene of a flurry of goals, as the Wanderers have also developed a tendency to concede after halftime. Of the 37 goals they have conceded this season, 23 have come in the second half.
Are there reasons for both teams to remain hopeful? Yes, there are.
First, nothing has been decided mathematically. In a league where every team faces each other four times, there are plenty of opportunities for direct clashes between teams battling for the same positions. A run of victories could therefore quickly change the standings.
Second, both teams have individuals capable of making the difference.
With two goals in his last four matches, Wanderers captain Isaiah Johnston is continuing his outstanding season. He has scored eight goals and added two assists in 2026, showing remarkable consistency and establishing himself as one of the team's key players. He has also worn the captain's armband since the end of May.
For Supra, Loïc Kwemi remains atop the CPL scoring charts with 10 goals, despite continued pressure from Tobias Warschewski, Ballou Tabla (nine goals) and... Isaiah Johnston.
The final push is underway.
NEWS & NOTES
- Zachary Brault-Guillard has received his international transfer certificate and is available for FC Supra.
- Diyaeddine Abzi is suspended for this match for Supra.
- Halifax attacker Adonijah Reid is also suspended after receiving a late red card in last week's game against Cavalry.
PROJECTED XIs
FC Supra: Milli; Brault-Guillard, Ferdinand, Chrétien, Lebeuf; Elkalklouli, Sissoko, Rea; Choinière, Kwemi, Condé
Halifax Wanderers: Carducci; Alphonse, Meilleur-Giguère, Linder, Telfer; Callegari, Olguin, Johnston; Pierre, Bahamboula, Arilla
KEY QUOTES
Nick Razzaghi, FC Supra head coach:
“This is the first time since June that we've had a full week of training. It was good to go back to the basics, to work together and go through the different sequences. It was very positive. I liked the work from the guys, and I liked the response.”
