2023 CPL Regular Season — Match #71
Atlético Ottawa vs. York United
August 5, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET
TD Place in Ottawa, Ontario
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca & TELUS Ch. 980 // Tickets available here

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The second match of the four-day weekend in the Canadian Premier League takes place in the nation’s capital on Saturday, as Atlético Ottawa host fellow Ontario side York United at TD Place.

It is a battle of one of the league’s best home teams vs one of the best road teams. Ottawa have won five straight home matches, and are tied with the Halifax Wanderers for the league lead for home wins. York, meanwhile, are tied with Forge FC for the league lead in victories away from home, with five. Both sides enter this match tied on points, with 24, although York have played one more game than Ottawa. Ottawa currently occupy the fifth and final playoff spot, one place above the Nine Stripes, thanks to their superior goal difference — +5 compared to York’s -6.

Both teams were at home last weekend, but are coming off different results. Ottawa beat Cavalry FC at TD Place last Saturday, with a seventh minute strike from Sam Salter all they needed to pick up the three points, before sitting back and defending for most of the match to grind out a 1-0 win. York hosted the Halifax Wanderers, and were beaten 2-0 by a goal on either side of halftime — one a screamer from Zach Fernandez at the end of the first half, and a second half goal from Joao Morelli.

This match is a big chance for one of these sides to try and pull away from the other. It should be a closely-contested match, as this fixture always has been, and an opportunity for three points against a direct rival in the table.

Both sides look different from the last time they met on June 9. Ottawa have added experienced Spanish midfielder Alberto Zapater — who has been one of the best players in the CPL since joining the club in early July — as well as Swiss attacker Ruben Del Campo, Canadian midfielder Ilias Iliadis on loan from CF Montreal, and young defender Tyr Walker on a U-SPORTS contract. Zakaria Bahous left the club when Iliadis joined.

After a very strong month, Atleti boss Carlos Gonzalez was named the league’s Manager of the Month as well, recognition that he was quick to share with his team and fellow coaches.

Thanks for the recognition of a great month of COLLECTIVE work and results, fortunate to be able to work by and for this TEAM accompanied by a top STAFF. Nothing done and a lot to do… Next Saturday at the TD place “One more match one more final” https://t.co/k7xNBcNRpd

— ⚽️ 𝖢𝖠𝖱𝖫𝖮𝖲 𝖦𝖮𝖭𝖹𝖠𝖫𝖤𝖹 (@CarlosGonJuarez) August 3, 2023

York United have made some signings as well of late, including signing goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario, the younger brother of Osaze, on loan from Toronto FC II on Friday. They have also brought in winger Carson Buschman-Dormond, and midfielder Trivine Esprit. Leaving the club on Friday was Dutch midfielder Oussama Alou, who had his contract terminated by mutual consent.

The hope is that this trio of young, Canadian additions will be able to help York pick up the U21 minutes they are in desperate need of, as well as being effective contributors on the pitch. Each CPL club is required to play Canadians aged 21 or under for 2,000 minutes, and are ineligible for the playoffs if they fail to reach that mark. York have just 550 minutes, meaning they need to average about 145 minutes per match for the rest of the season. Expect De Rosario especially to get a lot of minutes between the sticks.

All CPL matches are available to stream on OneSoccer, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980. Tous les matchs de l’Atlético Ottawa sont aussi disponibles en français sur OneSoccer.

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• Ontario battle often closely-contested: Saturday’s match will be the 13th match between York United and Atlético Ottawa and York United. In the previous 12, eight have been draws, York have won three times, and Ottawa has won once in a fixture that has been as close as their current positions in the CPL standings. York have never lost at TD Place — Ottawa’s lone win came on the road at York Lions Stadium — and won both of their previous meetings this season, once at either venue. The two sides also met in the 2022 Canadian Championship, with the match ending in a draw and the Nine Stripes advancing in a penalty shootout. With the exception of Ottawa’s lone win, a 3-0 result in Toronto, every single match has been won by a single goal, or drawn. Don’t expect that to change on Saturday, with both teams motivated to pick up what would be a huge result.

• York looking to bounce back on the road: Away from home, York United have been one of the best teams in the league this season. They share the league lead with rivals Forge FC for the best record on the road — with five wins, one draw, and three losses. Compare that to their home record, which is one of the worst in the CPL at 2-2-5. It won’t be easy for them to pick up three points in this match however, as Atlético Ottawa have won five home games in a row, and don’t look like giving that up anytime soon. The fans have bought in again this season in Ottawa, and have been giving their side the extra push the need at home. All of this sets up what could be a thrilling match on Saturday evening.

• What role will Ilias Iliadis play?: Last week, Atlético Ottawa announced the addition of Canadian midfielder Ilias Iliadis on loan from CF Montréal. The 22-year-old, who can play in central midfield or out wide, offers Carlos Gonzalez some tactical versatility. He received rave reviews from Gonzalez and club CEO Fernando Lopez — who called Iliadis “a valuable asset to our team” in the press release announcing his signing. Iliadis, who played for Greek club Panathinaikos’ academy and B team before joining Montreal, is expected to be a key player for the team down the stretch toward the playoffs, and played the final seven minutes plus stoppage time against Cavalry FC last weekend for his debut. Whether or not he starts this week against York remains to be seen, but Gonzalez said to reporters on Friday that he has been impressed by the young midfielder in his first week with the club.

PROJECTED STARTING XIs

Atlético Ottawa: Ingham; Ouimette, Espejo, Singh, Niba; Zapater; Assi, Bassett, Verhoeven, Del Campo; Salter

York United: De Rosario; Ferrari, Abatneh, Thompson, Gee; Soumaoro, Adekugbe; Bayiha, Babouli, Ricci; De Rosario

ALL-TIME SERIES

Atlético Ottawa wins: 1 || York United wins: 3 || Draws: 8

Last meeting:

June 9, 2023 — York United 2-1 Atlético Ottawa

KEY QUOTES

“Every single game is a new battle, a new chapter. I don’t really look at the games looking back, but it’s true that the level that both teams are showing once they are playing against each other are very equal. We are expecting something similar, they have a good team and I feel that they have a good starting eleven. We look forward to preparing in the best way, how we’ve done this week and also today, so that we can tweak some things and we have the best preparation to face them and to win [against] them tomorrow. It will be the sixth win in a row at home.” — Atlético Ottawa head coach Carlos Gonzalez

“I thought earlier in the season they didn’t have the same identity that they had last year. They’re back to that identity now and we see the results are coming in. They’re organized, they’re keeping it very tight at the back, and they’re creating chances. They’re a dangerous side because they have some individual players that can cause you problems, so you’ve got to be aware, they’re very good in transition, they can score goals in many ways. We’ve got to be able to penetrate their backline and create chances ourselves. It’s going to be an interesting matchup.” — York United head coach Martin Nash