October 10, 2023...Preview: 'Work Hard and Go For It; - Nash Relishing Pacific Playoff Test (from York United FC website)

PREVIEW: 'WORK HARD AND GO FOR IT' - NASH RELISHING PACIFIC PLAYOFF TEST

York United FC head to Langley for the first step on what will hopefully become an odyssey.

PACIFIC FC V YORK UNITED FC: 2023

The 2023 Canadian Premier League playoffs - and chase for the North Star Cup - start in Langley, BC tonight with York United seeking to supplant tough customers and fourth-place finishers Pacific FC.

During the regular season, The Nine Stripes lost both matches at Starlight Stadium including a 4-1 drubbing back in May. Pacific easily claimed the series (three wins, one draw) but Head Coach Martin Nash says that counts for little anymore.

He said in his pre-match conference:

"I don't think we can worry about what happened at the end of the season. This is a one-off game. We've just got to be confident and approach the game as best as we can. Obviously we're aware of it , the players will be aware of it but cup games are strange and we've just got to come with the right attitude and energy."

"I think both teams are gonna want it as much as the other one, so these games can be interesting. We'll see how our team fares. It is a difficult place to come play because it's a bit of a smaller pitch and they've been very good at home traditionally. But we've just got to come with an open mind, work hard and go for it."

With their best performances on the road this term, York United can employ every tact and wit to scale over this high hurdle.

Nash disclosed: "I think we've just got to be organized and pressure [them]. The big thing for us tactically is that we've got to be good in transition because they're a very dangerous team in transition. And the offensive side, we got to be able to get in behind them."

The Nine Stripes are in Langley, BC for their first playoff game since November 2021.

"They have pace and good size in the backline but I think there are moments when we can get behind them. When we've not done great against them, we haven't tried to get in behind. We've played in front of them and if you do that, they just close spaces so well. So we've got to find our moments to get in behind."

This is the second time in franchise history that York United have qualified for the postseason. The last time was in 2021, after finishing fourth, but they were eliminated by eventual winners Forge FC at the semi-final stage.

The boss believes he has acquired enough experience to take York United one better in the playoffs.

"I think I've improved a lot. I've learned a lot," he confessed.

"This season has been challenging for many reasons but I've learned a ton and it's been really good for my development. With the way the season’s gone - so much up and down - to have 11 wins - the same number of wins as the three teams above us - is something to take positives from. But now, that's all done with. It's behind us now and we're going to move forward and try to make a run here."

Nash also confirmed Jonathan Grant and Brem Soumaoro will be available for selection and won’t travel for international duties with Guyana and Liberia respectively.

OPPONENT WATCH:

Pacific have won just one of their last five Canadian Premier League games.

James Merriman’s backline have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches.

Pacific’s top scorer has been 22-year-old Aymen Sellouf who has scored seven goals in 27 matches.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN CLUB HISTORY, THE NINE STRIPES HAVE REACHED THE CANADIAN PREMIER LEAGUE POSTSEASON. WITH A RECORD POINTS TALLY (38) AND A RECORD NUMBER OF WINS (11), THE CAMPAIGN IS JUST GETTING STARTED. CATCH ALL THE PLAYOFF ACTION LIVE ON ONESOCCER.CA

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