OneSoccer’s Kurt Larson, Oliver Platt, and Adam Jenkins held a special roundtable discussion about Ryan Telfer’s return to York9 FC on Wednesday’s OneSoccer Hangout.
Telfer, the first goalscorer in Canadian Premier League history, signed with York9 earlier in the day. The 26-year-old spent the 2019 season with the Nine Stripes on loan from Toronto FC before joining Cypriot club Nea Salamina Famagusta this winter.
With Y9’s second-leading goalscorer from 2019 back in the fold, Platt and Larson asked if Jim Brennan’s side has enough to challenge for a CPL title.
“There’s a top three in the league right now, and York9 has joined that group,” Larson argued. “It’s going to be difficult for other teams to break into that top three.”
RELATED READING: COVID-19 pandemic helped Ryan Telfer find his way back to York9 and CPL
Platt agreed, on paper, that Y9 deserve a top-three distinction, referencing the off-season additions of Michael Petrasso and Chris Mannella.
“Michael Petrasso, whether you like departed players Rodrigo Gattas or Simon Adjei or not, is a big upgrade,” Platt said.
“When you look at the Fall season table, it ended up looking pretty decent for them… you’d hope they’ve laid the groundwork; they’ve kept the spine, the players know the style of play, and they’ve added some different-makers at the top of the pitch.”
RELATED READING: York9’s Angus McNab: Emilio Estevez sale final piece of Ryan Telfer puzzle
York9 was able to sign Telfer after the sale of Emilio Estevez, managing consultant Angus McNab revealed to CanPL.ca. Telfer finished sixth in the CPL in scoring with eight goals in 2019, and added another two in the Canadian Championship. One of Telfer’s goals, of course, was the first in CPL history, which he recorded in the third minute of the inaugural match between York9 and Forge FC last April.
It was an impressive run for Telfer, one that left Larson wondering if he could have made the next step.
“Why is that guy not being given a shot?” Larson asked, hinting at off-season interest from MLS side Minnesota United.
“I’m not sure why clubs don’t want him and I’m still confused by that.”
To watch Wednesday’s OneSoccer Player & Pundit Hangout in full, click here.