March 4, 2023...First US Preseason Assignment Ends in Penn State Stalemate (from York United FC website)

WATCH! FIRST US PRESEASON ASSIGNMENT ENDS IN PENN STATE STALEMATE

There were plenty of encouraging performances on display ahead of The Nine Stripes' trip to Houston.

PENN STATE MEN'S SOCCER 0-0 YORK UNITED FC

York United FC's preseason trip to the United States is underway and the side delivered a solid performance in their first assignment against Penn State Men's Soccer on Saturday.

Looking to follow up on an impressive 4-0 victory over CF Montreal's Under-23 team, The Nine Stripes were bright and purposeful for the majority of the clash at University Park, PA, though couldn't find a breakthrough despite their best efforts.

They could have been a goal behind after just two minutes when the hosts were awarded a penalty, but Niko Giantsopoulos - the star of two significant penalty shoot-outs last season in successive Canadian Championship wins against Atletico Ottawa and Pacific FC - brilliantly stretched down low to his left to push away the effort.

After that, York United settled into a rhythm and the likes of Oussama Alou and Kevin Dos Santos began to exert an influence on proceedings. The former tested the keeper with a left-footed strike while the latter combined particularly well with Lassana Faye throughout. The Dutch full-back even went close to breaking the deadlock at one point, driving an effort over the bar after Brian Wright's cut-back ran nicely into his path.

Later, Marki Voytsekhovskyy just couldn't quite make proper contact with Dos Santos' low cross and the ball agonizingly bounced beyond other lurking bodies in the penalty area. The youngster - who has impressed during preseason - was involved once again before the end, picking up Brem Soumauro's pass and thumping a strike towards goal. But Penn State had enough defenders back to block and make the clearance.

Afterwards, the group travelled south to Texas where fine-tuning will now continue over the next two weeks. A clash with Houston Dynamo 2 is pencilled in for Wednesday, March 8 before the squad returns to Toronto for the remainder of their preseason friendlies.

0-0 is how it finished against Penn State Men's Soccer, with Niko Giantsopoulos making another penalty save.

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