June 17, 2022...Preview: Nash Upbeat Ahead of Pacific Clash Despite Continuing Injury Crisis (from York United FC website)

PREVIEW: NASH UPBEAT AHEAD OF PACIFIC CLASH DESPITE CONTINUING INJURY CRISIS

Cedric Toussaint's suspension after a red card against Atletico Ottawa is another setback.

York United will attempt to kill two birds with one stone this afternoon when they host
Pacific United at York Lions Stadium in the Canadian Premier League.

The first task for The Nine Stripes will be to end their five-match winless run and breathe
life back into their campaign.

Since beating Forge FC 1-0 at home last month, Martin Nash’s side have gone on a 0-2-3 record
which has seen them slip to seventh on the table.

Ironically, York United have been delightful to watch despite being ravaged by injuries
and at times suspensions.

With a thin squad, Nash and his troops have tried to squeeze water from stone but have fallen
short because of their lack of goals. However, they do have an unbeaten record against
James Merriman’s side this season. In the league clash, it ended 0-0 at Starlight Stadium
before York went on to win their Canadian Championship quarter-final on penalties after
a goal-glut 2-2 draw in regulation time.

Like York, Pacific are on a downward spiral and are without a win in their last four matches.
Their dip in form has seen them being toppled at the top of the CPL table by in-form Calvary.

But Head Coach Nash says today’s contest will be high in quality.

"We know it's gonna be a tough game tomorrow," Nash said at his pre-match conference.

‘‘Pacific is a very good team. We know that they've been on the road and I think they're
in a similar situation with us as far as a depleted squad. So it's a battle of the two teams
that have small squads right now. It'll be a tough game no matter what because both will fight
to the end so it will be an interesting game."

York United have no injury boosts but rather Cedric Toussaint suspended for the fixture
because of the late red card he received against Atletico Ottawa in midweek.

The club appealed his sending off but the league’s disciplinary panel rejected it and since
this is his second explosion of the season, the midfielder will have to serve a three-match ban.

This means Nash will have to shuffle his pack in midfield, and not for the first time this term.

"A lot of players have had to just fill a role, which not might not be ideal for them but they've
done the job for the team which is great. Cedric getting a second red card...that's a little
bit frustrating. I don't feel it was a red card. His appeal was rejected and I'm not exactly
sure why. Looking back at the video evidence, there's no way it was a red. I don't even think
it was a foul so it's a little bit crazy from that end."

The next objective for York will be to give France-bound Diyaeddine Abzi a perfect sendoff for
his years of dedication. The left-back will be playing his final home match for The Nine Stripes
before joining Ligue 2 side Pau FC.

Nash eulogized the 23-year-old on Friday.

"I think Abzi has been a great servant of the club. He's been one of the top players in the league
since day one, so he's a fantastic talent, fantastic kid, who works really hard. He's got
a great engine. I'm sure he'll go over and do well. It's fantastic for the league, it’s fantastic
for the player. I think it's a win-win for everyone. He'll be sorely missed because he is such
a talented player and we'll miss him at both ends of the pitch. It's not great timing for us right
now so to speak, but it is great for him and great for the league so we wish him all the best."

OPPONENT WATCH:

Cape Verde international Gianni Dos Santos has rejoined the team after earning his first cap
in a friendly against Ecuador in Miami last week.

Striker Kamron Habibullah is away with Canada’s squad at the CONCACAF U20 Men’s Championship.

The Tridents will be influential duo Manny Aparicio and Sean Young but Marco Bustos is available.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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