Vitor Dias continues to impress as Wanderers’ pre-season ramps up

The BMO Soccer Centre is packed on this Saturday morning, fans lining the gallery in blue and grey as they take in the second of the Halifax Wanderers’ friendlies against the East Coast Select.

This will be the last pre-season match the Wanderers play in front of their fans until their home opener in late April and the atmosphere is celebratory, kids running up and down the hallways with their cleats clicking, as the two sides line up.

Vitor Dias —wearing a freshly minted No. 11 shirt — wastes no time making his presence known.

Playing on a Wanderers side featuring Zachary Fernandez, Tiago Coimbra, Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé and others, Dias plays in an attacking role, his head on a swivel. He’s quick and sure-footed, moving into pockets of space, taking a touch and slipping balls forward.

On a Wanderers corner, he expertly swings in a cross which is put into the back of the net by one of the several trialists vying for a spot.

A few minutes later, the 25-year old Brazilian is in a shooting position in the box. He fires but it’s blocked and he collects the ball again, pivoting, rolling away from pressure but always with his head up as he waits for an opening. Coimbra barrels into the box on his left, beating his mark, and Dias slips a pass through which is rocketed into the net by Coimbra. By the time the first half ends, Dias has collected two assists and quietly impressed those gathered in the gallery.

Those who made it out to Friday’s friendly mention that Dias also scored then.

In fact, Dias has been the talk of training camp since it opened, one of the several new Wanderers players brought in to help head coach Patrice Gheisar and his staff earn the club’s first silverware.

Speaking to The Wanderers Notebook after a training sessions last week, Dias was understandably pleased with his new surroundings.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “It couldn’t be going any better. I’m super excited with the group of guys we have and I think we can go all the way this season.”

Dias decided to make the move to the CPL after two years in MLS Next Pro. In 30 appearances split between St. Louis City II and Sporting Kansas City II, the midfielder amassed seven goals and three assists. However, it was during his time at Marshall University in West Virginia that Gheisar first eyed the Brazilian.

“He used to watch me during college. I went to Marshall and we went all the way to win the national championship. He watched every one of our games. He knew I was leaving Kansas City and then he called,” Dias explained.

Gheisar pitched a role but also a concept to Dias in November, 2023, telling him his playmaking would be an asset on a club with serious aspirations. Dias liked what he heard and signed on the dotted line.

“I think his way of playing, I mean we have a lot of possession and creativity upfront and that’s something they were lacking last season a little bit. I think I’m here to bring all these things,” he said.

A No. 10 through and through, Dias noted he likes to play an attacking midfield role on the right side. He’s most comfortable cutting inside with the ball on his left foot and isn’t afraid to shoot.

But more often than not, he’s looking for a pass, to create and pick apart backlines. He said he can also be a roamer, finding space, but is happy with whatever role he’s assigned on the day.

And he’s already starting to build chemistry with his new teammates.

Having watched several CPL matches from last year, Dias said he was most excited to play with former Paris Saint-Germain man Lorenzo Callegari.

“Already, in these first few days, we’re having a connection and great chemistry. I’m looking forward to seeing what we’ll be able to do during the season,” he said.

Dias mentioned he’s living with striker Christian Volesky, who is also new to the club. Both opted for lengthy road trips to start the season, Volesky driving from Colorado and Dias from Kansas.

In total, Dias said his drive took him 31 hours but was split over three days.

“It wasn’t so bad,” he said.

The trip was certainly necessary, however, as he had to collect his belongings from Kansas City, including his computer set up.

“I’ve got a nice PC set up,” Dias said with a smile. “I do a lot of gaming in my spare time. I think I play video games so I can go somewhere else, to disconnect a little bit from everything.”

Cover Photo Credit: Halifax Wanderers FC