August 24, 2022...Astonishing: With Seven Games Left, Nine Stripes Push Past 5,000 U-21 Minutes For The Season (from York United FC website)

August 24, 2022...Astonishing: With Seven Games Left, Nine Stripes Push Past 5,000 U-21 Minutes For The Season
(from York United FC website)

ASTONISHING: WITH SEVEN GAMES LEFT, NINE STRIPES PUSH PAST 5,000 U-21 MINUTES FOR THE SEASON

The Canadian Premier League mandate for the entire campaign is 2,000.

With seven games still left in the 2022 regular season, York United FC has now smashed through
the 5,000 barrier when it comes to Under-21 minutes.

With the Canadian Premier League setting an increased mandate of 2,000 minutes for the year,
this latest news once again showcases the club's staggering commitment to giving young players
consistent opportunities to shine.

To put it in further context, the CPL team with the second-most U21 minutes is FC Edmonton with 2,447
and 930 of those have been provided by players currently on loan from other clubs. In fact,
York United are one of only two clubs that do not have any Under-21 players on loan from elsewhere.

Some youngsters have proven to be crucial ingredients this term, namely Osaze De Rosario who leads
the club with nine league goals. The striker, in his very first season with The Nine Stripes,
has featured in every game (18 starts, three appearances as a substitute) and accumulated 1,582 minutes
of action. Elsewhere, midfielder Isaiah Johnston continues to prove his worth with three assists
for the season and 1,262 minutes spread across 16 appearances. Recently transferred to Whitecaps FC 2,
Lowell Wright's contributions were curtailed due to his involvement with the Canada Under-20 side
but still managed 580 minutes while Cedric Toussaint racked up 775 minutes prior to his departure
to Pacific FC.

However, mid-season arrivals have made their mark too. Ronan Kratt has started six of his seven
appearances and scored twice. Not bad for an 18-year-old. Meanwhile, due to the recent injury picked
up by Niko Giantsopoulos, 20-year-old goalkeeper Eleias Himaras has been handed starts in the last
two games (with the team winning both).

The Under-21 CPL mandate only pertains to domestic players but The Nine Stripes have also had
20-year-old Brazilian left-back Eduardo Jesus contribute 501 minutes while another mid-season arrival,
20-year-old Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio, has already made five appearances, scored and assisted,
and registered close to 300 minutes.

"We are a club that firmly believes the CPL has a role in providing playing opportunities for young
talent and that it's genuinely the start of a professional journey for the next generation
of Canadian Mens National Team players. I’m very proud of our efforts to develop young Canadians,"
says Angus McNab, York United FC's President/CEO & GM.

"I feel the current crop of young men at the club have grown substantially this season because
they’ve had to step up owing to the various injuries we’ve had. When you add in the suspensions,
the players unavailable because of national team commitments and both Lowell and Cedric moving on
- we could actually be closer to 6000 minutes than we are."

"I’ve had calls from several people across the globe who have taken notice of what we are doing.
Some of our guys are attracting interest from Jamaica, the USA and other national programs, as well
as from clubs in North America and Europe. It’s really pleasing and validation of the approach here."
FOOTNOTES

back to 2022 York United FC menu