May 5, 2024...Analysis - Too Slow, Too Passive and Too Familiar: Three Things We Learned From Saturday's Loss (from York United FC)

May 5, 2024...Analysis - Too Slow, Too Passive and Too Familiar: Three Things We Learned From Saturday's Loss
(from York United FC)

ANALYSIS - TOO SLOW, TOO PASSIVE AND TOO FAMILIAR: THREE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM SATURDAY'S LOSS

The second half performance was a lot better, as Matthew Baldisimo shone on his league return.

THE DETAILS

York United’s defeat in Langford has left The Nine Stripes with three losses in their opening four matches of the 2024 Canadian Premier League. Martin Nash made some changes to his starting lineup but it still proved an uninspiring display.

Here are three observations from the 2-0 reverse at Pacific FC.

JUST ONE SHOT ON TARGET

Head Coach Martin Nash was once again left disappointed by York United’s lack of firepower at Starlight Stadium. They went through the first 45 minutes without registering a single shot on target and the only time they forced goalkeeper to make a save was Mo Babouli’s free-kick in the second half. The midfield combination failed to get going and there was a lack of spark in wide areas too.

Nash explained in his side’s stale first half display at the post-game by saying: "It was a terribly slow start. We lost every 50/50, every challenge in the first half. I warned them about it before the game, tried to get them up for it but for whatever reason it's like we hadn't got off the plane yet and then in the second half we reacted."

"We were very stagnant and weren't finding the out-pass and then we were putting ourselves in trouble and just having to launch it long. So, I thought we were quite untidy in the first half. I don't think we moved the ball well. We had to find a way out of it so we changed things at halftime and we were able to be much better in the second half. "

THAT BRIAN WRIGHT MISS

The match would have turned on its head had lead striker Brian Wright converted that chance on 62 minutes. He did all the hard work by beautifully controlling Noah Abatneh’s overhead pass from deep inside, shrugging off a tackle from the Pacific defender Aly Ndom inside the box but smashed his effort into the side net. It would have levelled the scoring after the Tridents had taken the lead in the first half from close range. In the first half, Wright delivered a powerful low grounder from outside the box but it missed the target narrowly. Also, in the 74th minute, Kadin Martin-Pereux delivered a fizzing cross from the left but Wright, unmarked inside the box, sent his header wide.

MATTHEW BALDISIMO ILLUMINATES ON HIS RETURN

York United had a better second half and one of the reasons could be the presence of Matthew Baldisimo in the set-up. The Philippines international, who missed the start of the season due to injury, was introduced after recess and he helped to stabilize the midfield.

Nash acknowledged the effect of the 26-year-old: "I thought Baldi [Baldisimo] came in and was fantastic in midfield. We created a few chances to get us back in the game and we just didn't take any of them and they caught us later on a counter and the game was kind of done at that stage."

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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