Published Apr 20, 2025 • Last updated 17 minutes ago • 4 minute readHalifax Wanderers midfielder Sean Rea chases down the ball during Canadian Premier League action Saturday at the Wanderers Grounds. The Wanderers defeated Pacific FC 3-1. Photo by Ryan TaplinAt the ripe old age of 22, Sean Rea has found some stability in his soccer career.Last season alone, Rea endured through the ups and downs, crisscrossing the continent and the Atlantic Ocean to find the pro club that was the right fit for him. The diminutive, yet creative midfielder seems to have found it with the Halifax Wanderers.“It just feels like it’s night and day,” Rea said in an interview following the Wanderers’ 3-1 victory over Pacific FC in Halifax’s home opener Saturday at the Wanderers Grounds. “Last year was such a whirlwind.”THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentFollowing his release from the hometown CF Montreal of Major League Soccer in December 2023, Rea went on trial with MLS’s Portland Timbers. He spent two months in Oregon before venturing overseas to play European football with CD Castellon, a club in Spain’s second division.But when the calendar turned to June, Rea found himself back in North America and without a pro club. Jason Bahamboula of the Halifax Wanderers is brought down by Pacific FC defender Pedro Miguel Ruas Machado during Saturday’s Canadian Premier League match at the Wanderers Grounds. – RYAN TAPLIN Photo by Ryan Taplin“It was crazy,” recalled Rea, who turns 23 on May 15. “I was in Portland, then I was in Spain and then I came back for two months without a club. It was a lot of back and forth. I was never really stable. It was just always something else that was coming up, things that didn’t work out. But then I got the call from Patrice and decided to come to Halifax.”With his team floundering in the Canadian Premier League last season and in need of a boost, Wanderers head coach Patrice Gheisar reached out to Rea. On July 31, with 14 games remaining in the season, the Wanderers signed Rea to a contract through 2025.Article contentRea was no stranger to the CPL, having previously been named the league’s U21 player of the year in 2022 with Valour FC. His nine assists that year still stands as the single-season record in the league’s seven-year history.“I found it difficult last year because I came to Halifax late into the season,” Rea said. “The team wasn’t doing well and we were just trying to push through to a playoff spot. It was tough.“Now I get to have a full season. I really got to train, got a full pre-season in my legs which I didn’t have last year. I’m just thrilled to have a club where I’m happy to be with and the guys and coaching staff are great. We truly believe we’re going to win this season.”Rea scored in the Wanderers’ 2-2 draw against host Atletico Ottawa in the club’s season opener and was named to the league’s first team of the week.He had his chances to score in the second half on Saturday. In the 58th minute, with Halifax ahead 1-0 on a Wesley Timoteo first-half goal, Rea darted into the 18-yard box on a counterattack and curled a shot that Pacific keeper Max Anchor dove to his left to make the stop.Article contentFive minutes later, Rea had another opportunity from the top of the box but his low shot was denied by Anchor. After a slick combination play between Rea and Giorgio Probo at the edge of the box, Probo found a wide-open Ryan Telfer, who beat Anchor into the low corner for a 2-0 lead.In the 77th minute, Rea had a free kick that was handled by Anchor. He was then substituted from the match. Halifax Wanderers fans cheer on the home squad during Saturday’s Canadian Premier League match against Pacific FC. – RYAN TAPLIN Photo by Ryan Taplin“Sean came in July to a boat that was rocking, and he was going to come in and set us free into the cool waters last year but it was difficult,” Gheisar said. “It was difficult for him, it was difficult for us. But Sean kept fighting every day. Having this opportunity to reset and the tweaks that we’ve made suits his game and his commitment to work on and off the ball really excites us.“He could’ve had a goal today but he just kept fighting, he kept running, he kept taking shots. He wasn’t bothered by the fact that he missed one. His confidence and grit continues to grow.”Rea said, “being settled with one club has made a huge difference.”Article content“When you don’t play with guys for a long time, it’s kind of difficult to see what they like, what they don’t like, where they want the ball, if they want it at their feet or in space,” Rea said. “Now I get to build something with the guys and it feels like we’ve been playing together for so long. It’s just nice to see.”Yohan Bai secured the victory for the Wanderers on a brilliant individual effort in extra time, eluding two Pacific defenders before firing a shot inside the far post.On a cold, drizzly mid-April afternoon in front of 6,817 fans, the Wanderers improved to 2-0-1. They didn’t earn their second win until July 1 last season.“The work we’ve been putting in since the beginning has been amazing,” Rea said. “We have a clear plan in place. Coach knows exactly what we need to do this year and I feel like we’ve been just executing. You can just tell that it’s going to be different than the previous couple of years when we had a hard time winning early on.“Seven points in three games, that’s really big. But we can’t get too high in the good moments and too low in the low moments and just keep a level head.”Article content
After rollercoaster year, Rea settles in with red-hot Wanderers
