The Canadian Premier League is back in home stadiums after starting the 2021 season with The Kickoff, beginning with Friday night’s match between York United and Forge FC at York Lions Stadium.
It has been 650 days since the venue last hosted a CPL game, and there have been some exciting new changes since fans of the home team were last in the stands. Most notably a new name for the club — changing from York9 to York United this past offseason. In terms of the stadium itself, a new playing surface and the removal of the running track around the pitch are the two most noticeable differences among the offseason renovations.
Local rivals Forge FC would spoil York’s homecoming, scoring moments into the match and holding on for a 1-0 victory and all three points. On the receiving end of a cross from Kwame Awuah, Mo Babouli brought the ball down with an impressive first touch before burying his fourth goal of the season four minutes in.
Here are your sights and sounds from Friday night’s return to York Region.
GOAL ?@ForgeFCHamilton get on the board quickly vs. @yorkutdfc as Kwame Awuah finds Mo Babouli in the box for the half-volley #CanPL | ? https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/OIa4iPcGx0
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 30, 2021
RED CARD ?@YorkUtdFC CB Dominick Zator is SENT OFF for a soft challenge on @ForgeFCHamilton's Tristan Borges at the edge of the box#CanPL | ? https://t.co/hishXepRT3 pic.twitter.com/Gw7yutFhNT
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 30, 2021
