Final Score: York United 1-0 Vancouver FC
Goalscorers: Babouli 6′ (pen.)
2023 Canadian Championship
Preliminary Round

Match in a minute or less

York United advanced to the Canadian Championship quarter-finals after a nervy 1-0 victory over expansion club Vancouver FC — who were playing in their first-ever match in this competition.

The lone goal of the match came just six minutes in, when Mo Babouli found the back of the net from the penalty spot after Oussama Alou was brought down in the box. Despite several high-quality chances and 26 combined shot attempts for both sides during an entertaining back-and-forth match, there were no further goals.

With the win, York will now get a rematch with the Vancouver Whitecaps, who eliminated them in the semifinals of the 2022 competition. This time, however, the match will take place at York Lions Stadium, where it is worth noting that York United has never lost a game in the Canadian Championship.

Three Observations

Injuries continue to plague York, forcing makeshift roster decisions

After seeing his midfield get overrun at times in their CPL season opener against Valour FC, it looked like York United coach Martin Nash had found a far better balance against Vancouver. Matthew Baldisimo drew into the lineup next to Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé at the base of midfield, providing increased defensive coverage.

Baldisimo also helped York become more cohesive in progressing play forward, often dropping in between the centre-backs to distribute the ball from the back. The move also allowed Oussama Alou to move further forward, where he was better able to have a better influence on the game, winning the decisive penalty and taking three shots during the match.

On the right, Max Ferrari shifted back to right-back, with Clément Bayiha playing in front of him. Bayiha would cut in, allowing Ferrari to get down the flank and whip in a number of dangerous crosses.

Unfortunately for York, that plan changed at the half. Baldisimo was always going to be limited to 45 minutes, as he returns to full fitness, but things got even worse for Martin Nash in the 58th minute, when Gagnon-Laparé had to be removed due to injury. This forced attacking midfielders Mo Babouli and Allou to drop into the heart of midfield. Later in the half, Paris Gee moved centrally, but initially Nash elected to introduce Brian Wright to signal to his team that they weren’t to park the bus just yet — but still try to get forward.

“It was a bit of a risk, playing two nines, and two tens, through the middle, made my heart race at times,” said Nash with a chuckle. “But it worked.”

They remained dangerous in transition, but became significantly more disorganized defensively and less able to hold onto the ball. Vancouver was allowed to grow into the game in the second half, managing three shots on target, and 0.62 expected goals, as well as 36 final third entries — compared to just 23 in the first half. York also held just 39.5 per cent of the ball in the second half, which invited a lot of unnecessary pressure from the visitors.

Ultimately, however, despite several players in unnatural positions, York was able to hold on, and in cup football that is all that really matters.

York once again struggles to finish chances, keeping game closer than it needed to be

York United finally opened its account for the 2023 campaign, but despite 3.33 non-penalty expected goals over the two matches, still has not scored from open play. Wednesday’s match was far closer than it needed to be as York repeatedly failed to put the tie to bed.

Last year’s team-leading goalscorer, Osaze De Rosario had a stunning 1.31 expected goals, and three big chances on seven shot attempts.

As a team, they had four big chances, 11 shot attempts inside the box and 32 touches in the Vancouver area. The team’s chance creation numbers are good, but the longer the team is unable to finish those chances, the more they allow their opponents belief that they can get back into matches.

Vancouver nearly took them up on that invitation, as Gabriel Bitar’s strike from distance came incredibly close to crossing the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar behind Niko Giantsopoulos. As it stands, Vancouver FC are still searching for their first goal in club history.

In the dying moment of the match, York had a four-on-one opportunity, but Austin Ricci’s pass was between several players and the chance once again went begging. It summed up a frustrating evening for York, despite the fact that they were able to advance.

Ibrahim Bakaré emerging as an early player to watch for Vancouver

One major positive from this match for Vancouver once again on Wednesday night was the play of fullback Ibrahim Bakaré.  The 20-year-old, who is naturally a centre-back, has been shifted to the flank this season to allow other players into the lineup.

One of the other things it accomplishes is it frees up Kadin Chung to play in the midfield, where Vancouver FC manager Afshin Ghotbi believes his technical ability is allowed to flourish.

Some of Bakaré’s central defender tendencies were on full display against York, as Bakaré bossed the defensive side of the game, winning 13 of 18 duels, possession eight times and making three tackles.

He also provides plenty going forward, especially in the second half when the match opened up and he was able to get forward down the wing. Bakaré completed four dribbles, had a team-leading 71 touches, had two shot attempts and delivered four crosses.

“I’m really happy with him, I’ve seen him since day one that he has all the qualities to be a top international player, at 20 years old, he has such physical presence, speed, power, he’s technical and on top of it he has a very big personality,” said Vancouver FC manager Afshin Ghotbi. “I’m very excited to have him in our team.”

“I’m not sure how long we can keep him here,” he added with a smile. Bakaré has quickly emerged as one of the players to watch on this new Vancouver side.

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Paris Gee, York United 

Wherever he is played on the park, Paris Gee has shown to be a quality player for York United. He started the match as a left fullback, after playing the season opener on the right, and also rather seamlessly did a job in the midfield when called upon in the second half. He had 18 passes inside the final third, 68 total touches and won possession eight times during an excellent overall performance.

What’s next?

York United advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition, where they will face a major test in 2022 tournament champions — the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Caps eliminated York in the semi-finals of last year’s tournament, so York will be looking for a measure of revenge. In league action, York and Vancouver FC meet again at York Lions Stadium on Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.

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