June 9, 2023...Match Analysis: De Rosario winner lifts York United past Atletico Ottawa for 5th unbeaten (from canpl.ca)
MATCH ANALYSIS: De Rosario winner lifts York United past Atlético Ottawa for 5th unbeaten
2023-06-09
by CHARLIE O’CONNOR-CLARKE, DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR (@CHARLIEJCLARKE)
Final Score: York United 2-1 Atlético Ottawa
Goalscorers: Singh 24' (O.G.), De Rosario 80'; Verhoven 8'
Game of the 2023 season: 34
CPL match: 401
Match in a minute or less
York United climbed (until Saturday) to the top of the Canadian Premier League table on Friday night as they defeated
Atlético Ottawa 2-1 at York Lions Stadium to improve their unbeaten run to five games (four of them wins).
Atleti got on the board first just eight minutes in as Zach Verhoven hit a rocket of a shot from outside the box to give
his side the lead. York found a way back in soon, though, as Jonathan Grant’s cross in the 25th minute deflected goalward
off Ottawa defender Luke Singh and in to level things.
Although Ottawa would hit the goalpost two more times, but it was ultimately York who claimed all the spoils.
In the 80th minute, Nine Stripes midfielder Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé whipped an in-swinging corner kick toward Osaze De Rosario,
who nodded it over traffic and into the net to win it for York and score his much-anticipated first of the year.
Three Observations
Gagnon-Laparé pulls strings in York midfield, Gee impresses in new position
York United received a tremendously welcome boost to their squad with the return of Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé to the starting XI.
The Sherbrooke, Québec native made his first start since an ankle injury on April 20 and slotted seamlessly into
the double pivot at the base of York’s midfield.
Alongside Gagnon-Laparé in midfield for this match was Paris Gee, a natural right-back who’s played the past few games
at centre-back and took on a new challenge in the middle.
The pair was exceptional, lined up against a very strong Ottawa midfield that features an extremely in-form star
in Ollie Bassett, plus the always-composed Miguel Acosta and talented distributor Noah Verhoeven.
Gagnon-Laparé’s leadership and organizational abilities in midfield certainly helped York with several players having
to play out of position due to various absences. He was the link between the backline and attack, being the main ball-mover
while Gee covered acres of ground to press and help combine with the wide players.
As a result, York controlled a lot of the ball and particularly did well occupying territory in the middle of the park.
Gagnon-Laparé had more touches (103) and completed passes (78) than anybody else in the game, also creating three chances
for his team. The imperious midfielder was, as well, credited with an assist for delivering the corner kick that
Osaze De Rosario scored for York’s late winning goal.
“We saw [Gagnon-Laparé’s] quality tonight,” York manager Martin Nash said postmatch. “He’s the type of midfielder I like;
he’s on the front foot, he’s active, really good in possession. I thought he was really good dictating the tempo
in the second half. I’m surprised he got through 90 minutes so easily. But he’s another true pro, fit player that does
the right things off the pitch to make sure he’s ready on it.”
Gee, who (as Martin Nash pointed out) played a full season as a central midfielder at FC Tulsa, also looked very composed
in a position he hasn’t played much recently, moving from touchline to touchline and getting stuck into duels.
York United have proven the past few weeks to be one of the most resilient teams in the CPL at the moment. They’ve gone
undefeated in their last five games with four of them wins — responding tremendously well to that 4-1 loss at Pacific
a few weeks ago.
Ottawa find chances in transitional first half, go unrewarded
Atlético Ottawa — in the first half especially — looked quite a bit like the best versions of the team last year in their
title-winning regular season. They were very fluid with the dynamic backline, which shifts from a 4-5-1 in defence to more
of a 3-4-3 in attack with Maxim Tissot getting high up the pitch and the other three defenders shifting left to cover
behind him.
Playing in a setup designed to find transitional opportunities in wide areas, Atlético Ottawa were particularly lively
down the right flank on Friday. Jean-Aniel Assi flashed his pace and ability to stretch out a game as he consistently
found space down the flank. Assi frequently received the ball from a centre-back and drove forward on the dribble, playing
a give-and-go pass with either Ollie Bassett or Malcolm Shaw to run into space behind the fullback.
Ottawa looked extremely dangerous in those situations, but often either couldn’t find a trailing runner at the back post
for the pass across, or were denied by the woodwork (which they were three times on Friday).
With 14 shots and 22 touches in the box, Ottawa were not able to capitalize on the opportunities they created despite
some very positive moments in the first half especially.
Head coach Carlos González was left incredibly frustrated postmatch to be leaving empty-handed, feeling like his side
had done enough for at least a draw, or even a win.
“I think the two boxes are making the difference,” he said. “We created clear situations to win the game and we didn’t
concede much, but we lost the game. I feel today that York didn’t win the game, I feel like we lose it. Completely.”
In the end, though, it seemed York adjusted well to Ottawa’s transition and kept the ball more comfortably, making this
a frustrating defeat.
Second-half switch pays dividends for York
With the score tied around the half-hour mark, York boss Martin Nash made his first substitution, bringing the experienced
Michael Petrasso on in place of Kevin Dos Santos. Rather than a like-for-like swap, though, this was a slight tactical
adjustment, as Austin Ricci — who had been playing as a number 10 — shifted over to the left wing and Petrasso went behind
the striker in attacking midfield.
The switch proved fruitful almost immediately, with both Ricci and Petrasso better able to play to some of their strengths:
Petrasso’s creativity with a pass and Ricci’s directness and ability to run at defenders.
Both players ended up making a major impact in the last half-hour that led to York’s eventual victory, Ricci finishing with
three duels won and Petrasso going on to win the corner that provided the winning goal — not to mention a number of tricky
through balls and, late in the match, demonstrating his experience in taking the ball to the corner flag and holding it up
to run the clock and win another throw-in.
“Mikey’s really creative, he’s coming along with his fitness,” Nash said postmatch. “I don’t think he was quite ready to start
because he missed all of preseason. We all know what kind of quality he has. He’s had some great through balls, he’s got that
cutting edge. We need it at the moment. I thought he was good when he came in, he put in a shift and played some dangerous
balls. He’s a clever player and when we get him fully fit, he’s going to be a great addition to this group.”
Perhaps similarly to York’s win at Forge not so long ago, this was a game where the Nine Stripes hung in there and adjusted
when necessary. They were rewarded late once again for their patience and, now, they find themselves firmly among the league’s
best teams in the table at this point in the season.
CanPL.ca Player of the Match
Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, York United
The Québécois midfielder was outstanding in his return to the starting XI, leading his team in touches, passes, chances
created and interceptions as well as assisting the winning goal from the corner flag.
What’s next?
York United will head out on the road next weekend, taking on Pacific FC in Langford on Sunday, June 18 (1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET).
Before that, though, Atlético Ottawa will be back home at TD Place to take on Vancouver FC on Saturday (2 p.m. ET).
Watch all matches live on OneSoccer. In addition to its website and app, OneSoccer is now available on TELUS channel 980
and on Fubo TV. Call your local cable provider to ask for OneSoccer today.
back to 2023 York United FC menu
.
.