| Halifax Wanderers vs. Cavalry FC Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT Wanderers Grounds in Halifax, N.S. Watch Live: OneSoccer Tickets available here |
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Last weekend, the Halifax Wanderers did Cavalry a huge favour by scoring two stoppage-time goals to hold Forge to a point in Hamilton.
On Thanksgiving Monday, they could end Halifax's season. The host Wanderers need at least a point to avoid elimination from playoff contention.
With FC Supra and Vancouver FC drawing 2-2 in Québec, however, a win would move them just four points behind the Eagles for the fourth and final playoff spot. They face Vancouver FC next Friday in Langley.
Thanksgiving Monday also looms large in the CPL Shield race. Only a win guarantees Cavalry will maintain their lead over Forge FC, who host Inter Toronto earlier in the day. Currently, just two points separate the fierce rivals in the standings.
Last week, Cavalry suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since Aug. 4, 2025, during a tough Ontario road trip: 3-2 to Atlético Ottawa and 3-1 to Inter Toronto.
But ahead of their final road match of the 2026 regular season, they remain optimistic. Cavalry's road form this campaign has already seen an eight-point and four-win year-over-year improvement on 2025.
They are looking to make it ten straight unbeaten against the Wanderers at a ground where they have been excellent over the years, including a 3-1 win in their last trip to Halifax. Cavalry have lost just twice in 12 visits to the Wanderers Grounds.
Following an international break and suspensions that took away options for both clubs, this will be a true best-on-best contest. Isaiah Johnston, who scored both of Halifax's goals against Cavalry this season, is back for the Wanderers from suspension. Goteh Ntignee and Adam Pearlman are available again for Cavalry.
With the international window now over as well, Caniggia Elva is back for Cavalry after a strong window for Saint Lucia, where he scored and added two assists. Halifax pair Ryan Telfer and Andre Rampersad, meanwhile, are back after representing Trinidad and Tobago.
It's the time of year when a draw feels like a loss, and a loss can be the end of a season. A failure to collect three points on Thanksgiving Day could leave either of these sides out in the cold.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Halifax Wanderers: Carducci; Alphonse, Meilleur-Giguère, Linder, Telfer; Olguin, Callegari, Zitman; Johnston, Bahamboula, Arilla
Cavalry FC: Ingham; Pearlman, Klomp, Didic, Kamdem; Kobza, Paton; Ntignee, Warschewski, Edwards; Elva
KEY QUOTES
"I love this time. It's why it's called the business end of the season for a reason. We put ourselves into a playoff situation, we put ourselves into a title running. These are great opportunities...every game plays like a playoff game. It's do or die." - Cavalry FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
"I think we see every game right now as a playoff game. For us, it's everything on the line as well. We prepare, and I know they will give us their best, and we will give our best." - Cavalry forward Tobias Warschewski