Valour denied by Wanderers' late goal
More than six months had passed since Valour FC last played a match at home.
The last contest was marred by disappointment for Winnipeg's pro soccer club, which had an outside chance at the Canadian Premier League playoffs with a win on that chilly fall afternoon.
Instead, a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Cavalry FC, underscored by a penalty kick goal in the 89th minute, ended Valour's season.
Daniel Crump / Free Press
Winnipeg midfielder Kris Twardek (left) beats Halifax attacker Wesley Timóteo to a header Friday night during Valour FC's home opener at Princess Auto Stadium.
Enough time had passed for those scars to fade as Valour stepped onto its home pitch Friday for the first time this season, but they walked away with a similar wound.
On this seasonably warm spring evening, a goal from Halifax Wanderers midfielder Vitor Dias in extra time sent the Winnipeg side home pointless after a 1-0 decision at Princess Auto Stadium.
Valour, 0-1-2, is still looking for its first win of the season, while the Wanderers continued their undefeated start, improving to 3-1-0.
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Former Valour goalkeeper Rayane Yesli made four saves for the Wanderers to earn his first clean sheet of the season. Jonathan Viscosi stopped five shots in a near-perfect outing for the hosts.
Improving at home will be a point of emphasis for Winnipeg's side after going 5-7-2 on their pitch last season. As expected, the club's defence has been solid for the most part, breaking four times in the first three contests.
Daniel Crump / Free Press
Valor defender Zachary Fernandez moves the ball upfield.
However, Valour scored more than one goal on three occasions when hosting last summer, and their scoring woes have continued to begin the new campaign. They own one goal through 270 minutes of play.
Valour will look for more scoring opportunities when they host Vancouver FC (0-2-1) on Saturday, May 3 (6 p.m.).
— staff
Daniel Crump / Free Press
Valour midfielder Xavier Catarino Venâncio (right) challenges a Wanderers player.
Daniel Crump / Free Press
Valour midfielder Diogo Dias da Ressurreição (left) dispossesses Wanderers midfielder Sean Rea.
Daniel Crump / Free Press
Valor Midfielder Kris Twardek (11) battles against Halifax attacker Wesely Timóteo.
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