July 29, 2024...New Kid on the Block: Guzman shines on debut with two assists (from York United FC website)

New Kid On The Block: Guzmán shines on debut with two assists Jorge Guzmán just signed for The Nine Stripes last week on loan from Liga MX side Atlas.

INSTANT IMPACT

Jorge Guzmán was only announced as a new signing by York United FC a few hours before the team kicked off a crucial first-versus-second battle with Atletico Ottawa at York Lions Stadium last Friday night.

But the 20-year-old was the epitome of calm as he excelled on what proved a memorable debut.

On loan until the end of the season from Liga MX heavyweights Atlas, the attacker knitted seamlessly into Benjamin Mora's starting XI and delivered magnificently in the 4-1 statement victory.

Firstly, there were a pair of assists.

After going behind to Ollie Bassett's opener, The Nine Stripes survived a testing first 15 minutes before settling into a rhythm. And on 41 minutes, Guzmán was instrumental in his side finding a leveller. A clever corner-kick routine saw Juan Cordova as a decoy runner, allowing Guzmán to find a yard of space to pick up Mo Babouli's pass, get the ball out of his feet and whip in a delightful cross that Elijah Adekugbe expertly powered past Nathan Ingham.

Guzmán hadn't played since April but told Mora he was good to go the distance in his first appearance for the club. And he was true to his word.

With his side 3-1 to the good - he showed two of the attributes Mora specifically mentioned upon signing him: speed and agility, not to mind some extremely impressive match sharpness.

It was the 88th minute when he found himself on the edge of his own penalty area after Thomas Vincensini clawed away an Atletico cross. He slipped a pass to Cordova on his left who blitzed his way along the left touchline. On his shoulder the entire time was Guzmán, always looking for the pass inside. When Cordova caught a lucky ricochet and continued his run, Guzmán was ready and waiting. He took the ball in his stride and unselfishly squared for Brian Wright, who tapped home to make it 4-1.

INSTANT IMPACT: Jorge Guzmán shone on his York United debut
PLENTY MORE TO COME

There was also Guzmán's general contribution, the small details that mark him out as an acute bit of business from Mora and York United FC's Sporting Director Jorge Villalpando.

There is a craftiness to Guzmán, a cleverness and awareness that comes with experience. Which says a lot for a player so young. Two moments stand out in particular.

York United had just wrestled control of the game thanks to Cordova's long-range strike when Guzmán carried the ball on the left side. His skill and speed beat Kris Twardek and the full-back conceded the free-kick with a cheap shirt pull, earning a yellow card for his troubles. As Guzmán began to exert his influence, Twardek was replaced shortly after: the risk of another yellow probably too much for his Head Coach, Carlos Gonzalez, to consider.

Twardek's replacement, Dani Morer, endured something similar as York sought to see out the remaining few minutes of action. It was 4-1 by that stage but Guzmán's ability to keep possession was impressive. Deep into injury time, he cleverly rolled the ball past Morer with his studs and drew another foul as Morer also picked up a booking.

With the 2024 CPL season now in its crucial third quarter, York United's charge up the table has some fresh spark and Jorge Guzmán is set to be an integral piece of the jigsaw.

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