York United advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Canadian Championship on Saturday as they comfortably dispatched League1 Ontario side Master’s FA at York Lions Stadium by a 3-0 scoreline.

The Nine Stripes, playing just their second match at home this year, entered with a very strong starting XI, with striker Osvaldo Ramirez leading the line ahead of a midfield that included Michael Petrasso, Noah Verhoeven, and Isaiah Johnston.

Jimmy Brennan’s York side took full control from an early stage, dominating possession and methodically working to generate chances against a Master’s side that was comfortable sitting back to defend. For a while in the early going, York’s possession was somewhat fruitless, as they settled into their rhythm as protagonists, but they became increasingly dangerous as things went on.

York’s breakthrough came in the 38th minute, as an incredible solo run through midfield from Johnston ended with a through ball to Max Ferrari, who finished cleanly from a difficult low angle in the box to make it 1-0.

Not long after, well into stoppage time of the first half, York struck again, as Petrasso got on the end of a long ball from midfield near the edge of the penalty area, and he put a perfect cross along the ground to Ramirez for the tap-in at the back post.

Although Master’s came out strong in the second half with a few chances that brought them achingly close to scoring, York found their third goal thanks to a well-worked corner kick routine from Petrasso and Verhoeven that led to a cross over the top for Jordan Wilson to head in for his first goal with the club.

The Nine Stripes saw out the match in professional fashion, with a few substitutions helping ensure they could remain on the front foot for the final stages. One of those substitutes, German striker Julian Ulbricht, scored a late brace — one of them from a penalty kick — to take the score up to 5-0.

With the dominant win, York moved on to the next round of the Canadian Championship, where they will take on MLS side Toronto FC in a much-anticipated clash between Toronto-area clubs.

BOX SCORE

Goals

38′ — Max Ferrari (York United)
45+2′ — Osvaldo Ramirez (York United)
59′ — Jordan Wilson (York United)
85′ — Julian Ulbricht (York United) (PK)
90+1′ — Julian Ulbricht (York United)

Discipline

11′ — Yellow: Osvaldo Ramirez (York United)
33′ — Yellow: Michael Avila (Master’s FA)
34′ — Yellow: Anthony Wright (Master’s FA)
48′ — Yellow: Triston Frankson (Master’s FA)
73′ — Yellow: Reshon Phillip (Master’s FA)
76′ — Yellow: Alvaro Rivero (York United)