An overhauled Vancouver FC opened their 2026 Canadian Premier League season at home on Saturday afternoon, a 1-0 loss to the Halifax Wanderers FC at Willoughby Stadium in Langley.
It was a new-look Eagles, with a revised roster curated by head coach Martin Nash, promoted from interim fill-in last year.
Nash is looking for forward to a boost in interest for soccer this season, with the World Cup coming to the region.
“It’s exciting times in the Lower Mainland for soccer, Nash observed in a game day interview, saying the Langley-based pro team intends to “ride the wave.”
They’re off to a good start, based on Saturday’s crowd-pleasing performance.
While it wasn’t a win, VFC outpointed the visitors from Halifax in shots on goal (5-2), passing accuracy (86 per cent to 83 per cent) and duels won (49-36). The Wanderers had a better saves record (5-1) and better clearances (27-8)
And Halifax had Lorenzo Callegari, who won it for the Wanderers by scoring a near-miraculous free kick in the 76th minute.
Callegari, who was lined up well outside the box, popped it into the top corner for just his second CPL goal in his fourth season with the Wanderers.
FREE KICK STUNNER
Lorenzo Callegari scores an absolute BANGER to give @HFXWanderersFC the lead in Langley. #CPLSoccer
: @OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/pJSjYk8rJe
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) April 5, 2026
Earlier in the match, Eagles came close to scoring at the 42nd minute of play, courtesy of a Paris Gee cross to Nicolás Mezquida, but an inspired save by new Halifax netminder Marco Carducci kept the game scoreless.
In the closing seconds, VFC almost tied the game on a Terran Campbell overhead kick that struck the crossbar, but the play was ruled offside.
In a rare absence Vancouver took the field without injured club captain Callum Irving, who has started in goal in all but one match in club history.
Coach Nash confirmed after the match that Irving’s injury is minor and he could be back with the team as soon as next week.
In his place, 20-year-old goalkeeper Matheus de Souza, who was making his professional debut.
Up next, another home game for VFC , hosting Forge at Willoughby Stadium on Sunday, April 12 at 4 p.m.