April 15, 2024...Reaction: Nash Praises New Faces But Disappointed At Handling Of 'Big Moments' (from York United FC website)

REACTION: NASH PRAISES NEW FACES BUT DISAPPOINTED AT HANDLING OF 'BIG MOMENTS'

The Nine Stripes led early in the second half but set pieces proved problematic.

THE DETAILS

York United FC Head Coach Martin Nash admitted his team's 2-1 defeat in the Canadian Premier League season opener against Atletico Ottawa on Saturday was "difficult to accept".

Nash felt his side edged things overall and had quality chances, but were just unlucky and couldn't finish off their hosts.

The Nine Stripes - who handed four players their debuts and who are dealing with a handful of injury headaches - took the lead just three minutes after the restart through Austin Ricci, who had fluffed a clear chance in the opening period when some excellent work from Max Ferrari set him up for what seemed like a certain goal. With the goal gaping, he pushed the ball wide of the far post with his weaker left foot and Atleti breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Still, Ricci - who has been superb in preseason - made amends with an expert finish on 48 minutes when he controlled Nathan Ingham's punch on his chest before drilling a low strike inside the goalkeeper's near post.

But York failed to deal with second phases at two separate set-pieces later in the half and Atleti took full advantage to stage a comeback and bag the points at TD Place courtesy of goals from Manny Aparicio and Kris Twardek.

Nash in his post-game talk said:

"I think they took their chances. Arguably we had better chances but they took two so maybe effectiveness in front of goal was the difference really today. If you look at the stats, it was pretty much even. There wasn't much difference between the two teams. So, our effectiveness in front of goal was our downfall today."

York United sneaked possession with 51% and had 14 total shots versus 10 from the home side. But from the four big chances created by The Nine Stripes, only one was converted.

"Overall, I’m pleased with the performance," Nash told reporters.

"But I thought we let ourselves down in a few big moments. We knew they were going to be dangerous at set pieces. We didn't clear the corner for the first one [goal], and I think we had the chance to clear the second one and we tried to dribble out. You've got to deal with those moments and if you're not gonna deal with those moments, it's going to be a long season," he said.

York United had newcomers Thomas Vincensini (goalkeeper), Nyal Higgins, Orlando Botello and Josué Martinez named in the starting XI and the quartet all delivered impressively on their debuts. Midfielder Christian Zeppieri - signed to a U SPORTS contract after being drafted from York University in the offseason - made a cameo as an 86th minute substitute to play his very first professional match.

"Josué [Martinez] was really good. I just thought he was just running out of gas a little bit and that was the reason for his substitution late on. He put a lot of energy into the game. He was good in possession, good out of possession," Nash said, heaping praise on the Mexican midfield import who is on loan from Mexican side C.F. Monterrey.

Martinez' compatriot Orlando Botello is also on loan from C.F. Monterrey and enjoyed a solid first outing for the side at left-back.

He added: "Orlando [Botello] had an excellent game for me too. [They're] two young players - still only 22 - and Orlando's was a tactical change to keep two up front and see if we can grab something late."

With a home opener against reigning champions Forge FC set for Sunday, April 21st at 4pm, Nash will take the next few days to assess the squad and check in on his wounded warriors.

Juan Cordova, Oswaldo Leon, Matthew Baldisimo and Dennis Salanovic were all unavailable at the weekend through injury, while another new signing, defender Frank Sturing, was a late withdrawal from the starting lineup after feeling a slight twinge ahead of the game.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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