May 11, 2023...Analysis: A Flattering Scoreline, A Solid First Half and a Bench That Delivered (from York United website)

ANALYSIS: A FLATTERING SCORELINE, A SOLID FIRST HALF AND A BENCH THAT DELIVERED

There was a 4-1 Canadian Championship defeat on Wednesday night but The Nine Stripes can take plenty of positives from the game.

THE DETAILS
THE MLS/CPL GAP IS CLOSING
Despite the heavy-looking scoreline, York United proved the margin between Major League Soccer and Canadian Premier League clubs is not that wide. Save for the second half errors and a bit of poor finishing, The Nine Stripes were solid and had the Whitecaps in check. They went on a surge in the latter part of the first half and asked a few questions. The dynamic between Paris Gee and Max Ferrari on one flank and Lassana Faye and Kevin dos Santos on the other stretched the Vancouver-based side and made them wobble at the back. Osaze de Rosario made some excellent runs to get in behind and his physicality caused issues for the visitors. The 0-0 scoreline after the first stanza was a true reflection of proceedings.

Austin Ricci says CPL teams are catching up fast with their MLS counterparts.

He said: "We showed that there's not much of a drop-off between the two. It's just that when you play MLS teams, you can't give them goals. You can't make mistakes that lead to goals and if you do, you get punished. Up until the first goal, we didn't do that. Then we gave up a few little mistakes and got punished for it."

BENCH PRESS
In the 69th minute, York United were chasing the equalizer. Martin Nash shuffled his cards and made three substitutions: Brian Wright, Austin Ricci and Clement Bayiha replaced Osaze De Rosario, Max Ferrari and Oussama Alou and the trio brought some fresh energy and assertiveness. Bayiha raided the right flank and floated in crosses which were problematic while Ricci unleashed a thunderbolt to get the consolation goal.

ENFORCED EARLY CHANGE DIDN’T HELP
The team’s shape changed early on when captain Roger Thompson came off injured in the 25th minute. After the game, The Gaffer revealed: "We don't know for definite but he's got a little tweak in the groin so we'll see. We probably won't find out [the severity] for a day or two." Midfielder Matthew Baldisimo had to quickly jump on board to assist but it meant the team’s game-plan suffered, as Brem Soumauro - having finally been handed a start in his natural role of central midfield - dropped back to partner Tass Mourdoukoutas at the heart of the defence.

MISSING THE SPARKLE
Mo Babouli’s absence was keenly felt and such a high-profile contest suffered because of his absence. The Nine Stripes worked tirelessly and covered a lot of grass with Matthew Baldisimo and Elijah Adekugbe emerging as players with the most tackles. But it still wasn't enough. Martin Nash’s side lacked a game-changer, a player with the Midas touch like that of Babouli. A player who could - just like Babouli did in the 1-0 win over Atletico Ottawa - produce a piece of magic out of thin air.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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