April 18, 2023...Analysis: Four Things We Learned From York United's First Outing (from York United FC website)

ANALYSIS: FOUR THINGS WE LEARNED FROM YORK UNITED'S FIRST OUTING

One new signing shone brightly while Niko Giantsopoulos excelled once again.

JGL? OMG
JÉRÉMY GAGNON-LAPARÉ STRUTS HIS STUFF
The midfielder made his debut for the club and proved he can be anchorman in the middle of the park. His league experience was on full display as he contributed massively in break-up plays, producing some sliding tackles to dispossess Valour FC. Not even a yellow card stopped him from competing for the 50-50 balls. In the first half, he showed his distribution prowess too, delivering an eye-catching over-the-the-top ball for fellow debutant Oussama Alou and he continued threading excellent passes for the remainder of the game.

CAPTAIN MARVEL
ANOTHER GIGANTIC PERFORMANCE FROM NIKO GIANTSOPOULOUS
After injury curtailed the No.1's end to last season, he returned with a superb individual display. In total, it was a portfolio of five quality saves including the one chosen as Save of the Match by Canadian Premier League broadcast partner OneSoccer. Niko had to be quick off his line to snuff out a dangerous through ball meant for Anthony Novak while he blocked another effort from Diego Gutiérrez later on, denying the visitors a third goal. Then came a double save after 80 minutes when he blocked from Andy Baquero and Gutiérrez again.

MAX ATTACK
FERRARI IS BACK
It was good to see the 22-year-old show glimpses of his former self with marauding runs on the right wing and getting into channels. He nearly snatched the consolation goal for The Nine Stripes but his effort on a rebound from inside the box skimmed the crossbar. Before that, he whipped in a cross to the far side but substitute Osaze De Rosario was a fraction late so his slight connection could not redirect the ball into the net.

TIGHTENING UP
MAKESHIFT BACKLINE
It was quite a tough afternoon for Martin Nash’s back four which had Liberian national team captain Brem Soumaoro and Jonathan Grant start as centre backs with Lassana Faye on the left and Paris Gee as right back. They struggled at times with the wave of Valour attacks and paid dearly for that. Grant’s own goal early in the second half was a major blow but then came Anthony Novak just a few minutes later who connected from close range after another right-wing cross. Gaffer Martin Nash admitted in his post-match interview that the department needed some tightening.

He said: "It's makeshift right now just with injuries. It's tough because they haven't worked together and played together yet. So, it is what it is right now and we'll have a look at what we could do for Wednesday."

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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