Atlético Ottawa came from behind to draw 2-2 with HFX Wanderers in an extremely entertaining, cold and rainy 2025 Canadian Premier League season opener in Ottawa Saturday afternoon.
Both teams will feel they may have deservedly their first win of the new season. But a draw felt the correct result in the end.
“I think the first game of the season is just so many emotions involved, because we have such a long off-season,” said Patrice Gheisar, HFX Wanderers coach, after the match. “These guys are like dying to play after four months. Its a game of a lot of emotional up and downs. It was really exciting. Two really good teams on display. And it just goes to show how the product in the league and the players is just growing.”
HFX Wanderers take the lead in the first half
HFX Wanderers scored the first goal of the 2025 CPL season when Giorgio Probo one-timed a Ryan Teller cross in the 19th minute. Atlético keeper Nathan Ingham got a hand to the shot, but was only able to push the ball onto the underside of the cross bar before it settled in his goal.
And while credit can go to Telfer’s accurate cross and Probo’s powerful finish, questions will be asked of Atlético’s defence – Probo was negligently left alone in acres of space allowing him to focus on striking past Ingham.
Loading ...Sean Rea doubled the visitors’ lead when he spun and smashed the ball into Ingham’s goal after receiving a cross in the penalty area in the second minute of the second half.
Again, Atlético could have defended better in the build-up to the goal – Kévin dos Santos failing to clear the danger when there seemed an opportunity to do so. But nothing should take away from the quality and speed of Rea’s strike.
Atlético Ottawa fights back
But Atlético Ottawa persevered and the club’s new manager, Diego Mejía, made some substitutions that proved decisive, including the introduction of Aboubacar Sissoko and Manny Aparicio.
“It is an advantage that I have as a coach of Atlético Ottawa because I have an amazing roster,” said Mejía post-game. “I have two players per spot. We played a really good first match”
David Rodríguez cut the lead in half with a 60th minute goal for the hosts. The Mexican-born attacking midfielder latched onto a Salter lobbed pass over HFX Wanderers backline before cooly controlling the ball past Wanderers’ keeper Rayane Yesli to calmly pass the ball into the open goal.
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And Atlético completed the comeback when substitute Sissoko scored after a goal-mouth scramble in the 79th minute. The Mali-born showed good composure to collect the ball and find the back of the net, despite Thomas Meilleur-Giguère’s best efforts to keep it out from the goal line.
And after the equalizer, the game seemed there for the taking for Atlético Ottawa, the momentum fully on home team’s side.
But Ottawa’s push to claim all three points suffered a setback when Tyr Walker was sent off for a second yellow card in the 86th minute. The Atlético fullback needlessly kicked the ball into the stands, looking to delay the restart after it had already rolled out for a HFX Wanderers throw in. There was no argument agains the referee’s decision to send Walker for an early shower.
Both clubs had a few half chances towards the end of the match. But neither side was able to capitalize and take all three points.
“I think it was a fun start,” said Wanderers goalscorer Rea post-game. “It was a tough game with the weather – cold, raining, tough with the bounce (of the ball). I think we did a lot of hard work in pre- season and were able show a lot of good things today.
“I think we’re going to take this result and move forward and work on it. I think we have a nice season ahead of us.”
