May 9, 2023...'Massive' Quarter-Final Showdown Against The Whitecaps Next Up As Opportunity Knocks For Players (from York United FC website)

May 9, 2023...'Massive' Quarter-Final Showdown Against The Whitecaps Next Up As Opportunity Knocks For Players
(from York United FC website)

'MASSIVE' QUARTER-FINAL SHOWDOWN AGAINST THE WHITECAPS NEXT UP AS OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR PLAYERS

York United FC will look to reach the final four of the Canadian Championship for the second successive year.

KEEP CLIMBING
The Nine Stripes will look to reach the final four of the Canadian Championship for the second successive season on Wednesday night at York Lions Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm). And standing in their way is a very familiar opponent: Major League Soccer giants Vancouver Whitecaps.

Last year, there was a superb run in the national cup competition with wins over Atletico Ottawa and Pacific FC in a pair of road games setting up a semi-final clash with the Whitecaps at BC Place.

In the midst of an injury crisis, York still conjured a spirited performance. Scoreless at half-time against a high-calibre opponent, they fell just short of a spectacular upset and bowed out after a 2-1 defeat.

Revenge is a dish best served cold and this time the Whitecaps must travel to York Lions Stadium for the midweek showdown. Far from home comforts and in a smaller, tighter venue, it seems like the perfect environment for Martin Nash’s side to deliver a momentous result.

"It’s a massive game for our guys", Nash says.

"It’s always fun to play MLS teams and I keep running into the Whitecaps in this competition as a coach. It’s the fourth time that I’ll face them. It’s a great opportunity for our players to show what they can do against an MLS side. It’s not going to be easy but it’s great to have them at our place. Hopefully we’ll put on a show for our fans." Nash - who spent a big chunk of his playing career with the Whitecaps and served as captain of the team - already has overseen a statement Canadian Championship victory against them. Back in 2019, he was an assistant coach with Cavalry FC when they registered an historic 2-1 win over the Whitecaps: becoming the first ever CPL team to beat an MLS opponent.

Given the nature of the fixture, a bumper crowd is expected at York Lions Stadium and the players are excited about performing in front of a loud and proud fanbase.

Support from the stands is key to pulling off a massive result.

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE
"I think it’s a great opportunity to get more people to come to the game and it will be a great way to represent what this club is all about," says goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos.

"We can put on a good performance so that in the league we can continue to get more fans here."

For attacker Austin Ricci, knowing his closest circle is there to cheer him on is just extra motivation to produce something special, while the do-or-die nature of cup football is a genuine thrill.

"A game of this magnitude, you’re able to tell your friends and family to come watch", he says.

"There’s no sitting back. There’s no waiting until the next game. It’s survive and advance. We’ve got to go out there and get through that game to get to the next round. We have no other option."

Team talisman Mo Babouli knows what it takes to achieve success in the Canadian Championship, especially against Vancouver Whitecaps. In 2016, he was a crucial part of the Toronto FC team that won the tournament in 2016: sneaking past the Whitecaps in the two-legged final.

"It’s going to be a grind, we know that," he says.

"Probably 95/96 minutes of a lot of running, a lot of tackles, getting stuck in. But we’re going to do our best to not make it easy for them. And it’s only going to take a moment or two of magic."

He knows a thing or two about performing tricks. In York United’s two wins so far this season, Babouli has been the difference. In the previous round of the Canadian Championship against Vancouver FC, he tucked away the game-winning penalty while it was his sensational free-kick that ensured an impressive recent away victory over Atletico Ottawa in the league.

Midfielder Elijah Adekugbe has already established himself as a leader and distinct voice in the locker room. He believes The Nine Stripes have what it takes to deliver a statement win on Wednesday.

"In any job, you always want to test yourself against the best opposition and you always want to be involved in the biggest matches," he says.

"The biggest stages are the best entertainment. There’s a belief in this group. And why not upset them? There's excitement but it’s also our next job. So, let’s go to work."

Tickets are still available for the game

The club has various promotions for the fixture too, including a pre-match special of $4.99 Carlsberg. There’s also a limited edition t-shirt for the first 1,000 supporters and a terrific array of food trucks on-site too: Mustache Burger, Communal Eats and Sharmans Proper Pies.

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