York9 FC midfielder Chris Mannella joined CanPL.ca’s Marty Thompson on Thursday for a live Q&A chat on the CPL’s Instagram account ahead of the evening’s OneSoccer rewatch party featuring the Nine Stripes’ 905 Derby win over Forge FC from 2019.

Although Mannella didn’t play in that York9 win, having signed with the club this past off-season, he was able to discuss why the Nine Stripes appealed to him (especially after that 4-0 late-season victory).

“I was actually quite impressed with the stuff they were doing,” Mannella said of his new club. “From the games that I watched, they moved the ball well, especially in the middle of the park.”

OneSoccer Classic rebroadcast: York9 FC vs. Forge FC in the 905 Derby

“That’s sort of a big thing I took away” he continued. “Even if the results didn’t go their way all the time, they were playing, I think, probably the best football in the league last season.”

Mannella said he could envision himself playing in the middle of York9’s lineup, helping anchor the midfield.

“You want to go to a team that’s going to fit you the best, and fit the brand you want to play,” he said. “Unfortunately not every player can fit every kind of team.”

Mannella and Thompson went on to chat about the midfielder’s time playing for Vaughan Azzurri in League1 Ontario, as well as his most recent stint with the Ottawa Fury — where he made 59 appearances over the past two seasons.

Among other tales of his time in the capital, Mannella revealed his affection for a certain bagel shop in Ottawa during his time with the USL club.

Among other topics covered were Mannella’s newly-dyed hair (by popular request of his York9 teammates in the chat), his former obsession with FIFA Ultimate Team, and his personal preferences in TV reality shows and music.

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