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After appearing in the CPL Playoffs for the first time in club history in 2021, injuries and inconsistency brought York United back down to a humbling sixth-place finish in 2022. A run of two months without a goal was particularly lethal to their hopes of keeping pace with the league’s elite last season.
However, there were some distinctly bright moments, including a run to the Canadian Championship semifinals, where they lost to the eventual winner Vancouver Whitecaps. They also ended the season as one of the league’s hottest teams, losing just four of their final 14 matches — bolstered, in particular, by the acquisition of Mo Babouli.
York was one of the league’s busiest teams this off-season, acquiring proven CPL players like Elijah Adekugbe, Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, Brian Wright and Jonathan Grant to bolster their squad. They complemented that with a number of intriguing international and domestic signings, making the Nine Stripes a team to watch heading into the 2023 season.
CPL 5 x 5: Key stats, storylines & quotes for York United’s 2023 season
Story of 2022
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- 2022 CPL regular season record (W-D-L): 9-7-12 (34 pts, 6th place)
- Goals scored: 31
- Goals against: 37
- Goal difference: -6
- Top scorer: Osaze De Rosario (12)
- Canadian Championship: Lost in semifinals to Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Injuries played a big part in what was ultimately a season to forget for York United. Often, head coach Martin Nash would look to his bench and have only one or two first-team players available. In the end, only Halifax Wanderers scored fewer goals than York in 2022. It is worth noting, however, the difference that Babouli made. Over half (17) of the goals that York scored in 2022 came in the eight matches in which Babouli appeared.
Osaze De Rosario was another clear bright spot last season, as he finished runner-up in the league’s Golden Boot race with 12 goals. York also led the league in domestic U-21 minutes with 6,910, affording key opportunities to several young Canadian players — De Rosario included.
Arrivals and Departures
Players in: |
Players out: |
| DF – Jonathan Grant | DF – Dominick Zator |
| DF – Brem Soumaoro | DF – Chrisnovic N’sa |
| DF – Clément Bayiha | DF – Eduardo Jesus |
| DF – Lassana Faye | DF – Felix N’sa |
| MF – Elijah Adekugbe | MF – Jordan Wilson |
| MF – Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé | MF – Oliver Minatel |
| MF – Markiyan Voytsekhovskky | MF – Isaiah Johnston |
| MF – Matthew Baldisimo | MF – Mateo Hernández |
| MF – Oussama Alou | MF – Noah Verhoeven |
| FW – Brian Wright | MF – Sebastián Gutiérrez |
| FW – Theo Afework | MF – William Wallace |
| MF – Azriel Gonzalez | |
| FW – Martin Graiciar | |
| FW – Mamadou Kane | |
| FW – Lisandro Cabrera | |
| FW – Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio | |
| FW – Tobias Warschewski |
As previously mentioned, York added a lot of CPL experience to their squad, particularly to a revamped midfield. Gagnon-Laparé, Baldisimo and Adekugbe are excellent veteran CPL midfielders who will provide solidity defensively, while also being able to transition the ball to York’s attacking weapons. Markiyan Voytsekhovskky, who was named League1 Ontario young player of the year in 2022, is another potential player to watch as a more attack-minded midfielder. He has been impressing for the Nine Stripes throughout the preseason.
Those aforementioned players replace the departed Mateo Hernández, Jordan Wilson, Isaiah Johnston and Noah Verhoeven in the middle of the park. Fullback Chrisnovic N’sa was also a key player for the Nine Stripes in 2022. The biggest loss, however, is undoubtedly 2022 CPL Defender of the Year nominee Dominick Zator, who was recently called up by the Canadian men’s national team after moving to Korona Kielce in Poland.
Coach’s Profile
The past season was Martin Nash’s first in charge after spending the first three CPL seasons as an assistant under Tommy Wheeldon Jr. at Cavalry FC. His coaching résumé also includes multiple seasons as an assistant coach with the Ottawa Fury, as well as with the Canadian men’s national team in 2017. The brother of former NBA star Steve Nash, he also had a solid playing career — including 38 caps for Canada — and was part of the 2000 Gold Cup winning squad.
While it didn’t always play out on the field in 2022, Nash preaches defensive solidity as the critical foundation for his sides. He does this while still allowing key offensive players the flexibility to get creative with their positioning on the field.
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1) Niko Giantsopoulos; Lassana Faye, Roger Thompson, Tass Mourdoukoutas, Jonathan Grant; Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, Elijah Adekugbe, Mo Babouli; Clément Bayiha, Kevin Dos Santos, Osaze De Rosario
After a busy offseason expect major changes across the backline and in the midfield for the Nine Stripes this season. Fullback additions Johnny Grant of Forge FC and Dutch left-back Lassana Faye will give the team some solidity in the wide part of the defence. In the middle of the park, York has added serious quality to support Mo Babouli, with former Halifax Wanderers midfielder Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, and former Cavalry FC player Elijah Adekugbe forming one of the most impressive midfielders in the league. Up front, York has several new players they could pair with Osaze De Rosario, but former CF Montréal attacker Clément Bayiha should see consistent minutes.
Roster Notes
Domestic U-21 |
Internationals |
Loaned In |
| Eleias Himaras | Tass Mourdoukoutas | None |
| Markiyan Voytsekhovskyy | Kevin Santos | |
| Theo Afework | Oussama Alou | |
| Brem Soumaoro |