November 18, 2021...Band of Brothers: Young Guns Have Ignited York United This Season (from York United FC website)

BAND OF BROTHERS: YOUNG GUNS HAVE IGNITED YORK UNITED THIS SEASON

A trio of integral players: Max Ferrari, Isaiah Johnston and Cedric Toussaint have all
committed their futures to the club until 2024.

In many ways, it's the perfect week for York United to make their mark.

On a frigid Tuesday night in Edmonton, a group of players showed solidarity, purpose
and poise to create one of those defining sports moments for this country. The narrative
after such a spectacular result was clear: Canada is a soccer nation.

More than that, the landmark 2-1 win over Mexico was an example of what happens when
young talent is harnessed and provided with a platform to showcase their brilliance.
There has been a consistency to the product, a steady trajectory. Momentum has gathered.
Energy and engagement has propelled the men's team to a place of intrigue within the
wider population. No longer idle chit-chat, but a meaningful conversation. No longer
the underdog but a genuine challenger.

And now, as the 2021 Canadian Premier League playoffs take centre stage this weekend,
it's York United that ploughs a similar path.

Buoyed by a special crop of underage talent, there is a uniqueness to the group and
an unshakeable belief that something wonderful can be achieved this season. Yes, points
have been dropped in various fixtures. Too many draws. Too many missed opportunities.
But when backs have been against the wall, when little was expected of them, The Nine
Stripes have conjured big performances and excellent results. Twice they've tasted
victory at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. They've been behind in Halifax only to stage
a sensational smash 'n' grab in injury time. Recently, in a must-win against then-league
leaders Pacific FC, they tied themselves to the mast, survived the storm and conjured
an astonishing come-from-behind win.

Central to it all has been a genuinely thrilling commitment to developing young players,
giving them proper opportunities and not just going through the motions to fulfil league
requirements. What has occurred at the club this season is nothing short of remarkable
as the likes of Under-21 quartet Isaiah Johnston, Max Ferrari, Lowell Wright
and Cedric Toussaint have all blossomed into first-team regulars. Elsewhere,
Terique Mohammed, Ijah Halley, Jordan Faria and Matteo Campagna have all made crucial
contributions. And, critically, Diyaeddine Abzi, Chrisnovic N'sa and Noah Verhoeven
- three standout performers throughout this campaign - are elder statesmen at 22 years
of age.

"Our league is all about opportunities for young Canadians - it is woven into our
competition regulations with minimum minutes for U-21 players,” says Angus McNab,
York United CEO/President & GM. “But our recruitment is about much more than meeting
a quota. Max, Isaiah and Cedric average playing about 75% of our available CPL minutes
and that is especially massive when you consider how our season has been so compressed
and how Isaiah and Cedric have had suspensions reduce their time on the pitch also.
It just shows their overall value to the team and our commitment to developing young
Canadian talent.” “I think all three lads, and 18-year-old Lowell Wright too - who is
our joint-top goalscorer - should be focused on having a great off-season and on performing
well at the start of the 2022 campaign. It is a massive year for the Youth National team
programs and I really feel these four players have the quality to push for inclusion
in those squads.”

Crunching the data, it's a truly stunning accomplishment. CPL teams are bound by a league
minimum season mandate of 1,500 minutes for U-21 players. But it took York United just
four games to bypass that number. Their overall total for the regular season is an
astonishing 8,803 and digging deeper, Ferrari and Johnston both managed to surpass the team
requirement themselves.

They, along with Toussaint, have recently extended their contracts until 2024. And why
wouldn't they? As young Canadian players, they feel York United is the best place
to continue their development. And when it comes to the very essence of the Canadian Premier
League and why it exists at all, that's the biggest compliment that can be earned.
And when it comes to the future of the domestic game, when it comes to Canada becoming
a regular World Cup side and a high-profile football product, these names will be
at the heart of it.

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