August 22, 2024...York United FC vs Forge FC preview (from York United FC website)

'It's important. It's a derby. It's Forge. But, let the boys enjoy it. Let them show what we are doing' Head Coach Benjamín Mora prepares to take on the reigning champions for the very first time.

PREVIEW: YORK UTD V FORGE FC

"I'm eager," reveals Benjamín Mora ahead of tonight's derby clash with local rivals and reigning champions Forge FC.

"I won't sleep tonight because I'm anxious. I'm not nervous - I don't really feel nerve. But I'm anxious to let the boys enjoy, to let them show what we are doing."

Victory at York Lions Stadium will move The Nine Stripes to joint-top of the table, but it would carry a far greater impact than that.

From the last five games between these sides, York have registered just one point. You have to go back to Brem Soumaoro's last-gasp stunner at Tim Hortons Field on 1st June, 2023 to find their last victory. But, perhaps most importantly of all, this clash will say much about York's title credentials.

Already this season, the team have delivered some standout results: notably the away wins in Cavalry and Ottawa, and that 2-0 home triumph over Pacific FC when they played the majority of the game with 10 men. Those types of performances and the volume of points gathered so far this term have made many stand up and take notice. It's up to the group to now firmly banish last week's setback against the Cavs and rebound against another historical heavyweight. Tonight is a statement moment, an opportunity for this collection of unheralded and underrated players to illustrate just how much they want this.

It's Mora's first time facing Forge, though he was introduced to them very early into his time in Toronto. He hadn't even been officially unveiled yet when he visited Tim Hortons Field to watch the 3-0 defeat at the start of June. Since then, the turnaround has been something special under his watch. 11 games, six wins and just two defeats.

In particular, results at home - in a complete contrast to 2023 - have been superb: six victories and a draw from nine. Coupled with this, while Forge have also enjoyed a magnificent time in front of their own fans, they've really struggled on the road. From nine games, they've won just twice. Certainly, it isn't exactly an arduous trek from Hamilton but the atmosphere has been different at YLS this season. There's never been a more crucial moment for home supporters to rally the side than tonight. As other teams have come to appreciate when they've visited York since Mora's arrival, it's not the same place anymore: on the field or in the stands.

Win tonight and York's compelling rebirth will only get more impressive.

And those title credentials will be impossible to ignore.

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