RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: Vancouver FC vs. Halifax Wanderers | Sept. 28, 2025

Heading into the most important match in club history, the Eagles are flying high after a second consecutive home victory.

On Sunday, they defeated the Halifax Wanderers 3-1, a result and performance that will surely give them an added boost of confidence before Wednesday's Canadian Championship final against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Neither side created much through the 20 minutes of the match, with Halifax looking to find a way through a well-organized Vancouver backline -- and finding little joy doing so.

In the 24th minute, they had their first half-chance, with Sean Rea getting in behind down the right flank and then sending a cross into the box. Jefferson Alphonse headed the ball across goal, but Vitor Dias couldn't get the right connection in front of Callum Irving's net and sent the ball over the bar.

It was the hosts, however, who opened the scoring. Kunle Dada-Luke got down the well and sent a dangerous ball into the middle that Mbongue headed past Rayane Yesli and into the corner of the net.

Less than ten minutes later, Mbongue and Vancouver had a second. This time, it was down the left flank that they created their opening, with a lovely ball from Michel Cavalcante curling around Julian Dunn to Thierno Bah who played another great cross into the Vancouver striker. Mbongue showed outstanding ability to guide the ball into the net with his chest. Vancouver held that 2-0 lead into the half.

The Wanderers came out pushing to start the second half, getting on the ball early and playing a bit more urgent and direct than they did during the opening 45 minutes. Halifax created a great chance in the 58th minute when the ball fell to Yohan Baï in the box, but he couldn't get his feet sorted out and his shot was deflected wide.

But they still seemed to lack that desperation, especially in the final third, looking defeated after Vancouver had thwarted their initial waves of attack.

The Eagles, meanwhile, would be incredibly pleased with the way they defended through the first 80 minutes, consistently getting numbers around the ball in dangerous areas and snuffing out Wanderers' attacking moments.

Substitute Camilo Vasconcelos had another half chance in the 79th minute, but again the Vancouver backline did well to block his attempt.

In stoppage time, Vancouver added a third. A misplaced pass back from Kareem Sow to Rayane Yesli was latched onto by Pathé Ndiaye, who rounded Yesli and added to the Eagles' celebration.

If there was one blemish on the night for the Vancouver FC, it was a late goal from Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, who somehow snuck the ball past Callum Irving at the back post deep in stoppage time for his fourth goal of the season. Still, it was nothing more than a footnote in a tremendously disappointing performance from the visitors.

It is now nine straight games away from the Wanderers Grounds without a victory, and they drop to fifth place ahead of a huge match with York United next weekend.