Canadian Premier League — Match #15
York9 FC vs. Forge FC
May 25, 2019 — York Lions Stadium (4:00 p.m. ET)
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca

It’s a rematch in Ontario as York9 FC hosts 905 Derby rival Forge FC at York Lions Stadium on Saturday, with the Nine Stripes looking to get the better of their Hamilton-based opponents after playing spoilers in a 1-1 draw to kick off the league at Tim Hortons Field.

A festive atmosphere is expected for York9’s league home opener, the final homecoming bow in the CPL, and Jimmy Brennan’s side will also be on the hunt for a first league victory to climb out of the basement of the standings, too. Y9 enjoyed a soft launch on Wednesday, hosting A.S. Blainville in Canadian Championship action and picking up a 1-0 win in the process – the club’s first in all competitions – and will hope that momentum carries them to victory again on Saturday. York9 is also coming off a four-game away trip that saw the team travel across Canada with little rest, so homecoming will be doubly appreciated here.

As for Forge? Things have been going quite well for Bobby Smyrniotis’ side, who sit second in the league after posting up a pair of wins and a draw alongside a pair of defeats. They’ll be looking to play spoilers themselves away from home. Expect plenty of frantic action on a narrow field as both sides try to get a hold of what will certainly be a chippy rivalry tilt.

York9 can’t get too comfortable at home, though – they’re off to Halifax on May 29 for a dance with HFX Wanderers FC (6:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. AT, on OneSoccer). Meanwhile, Forge next hosts FC Edmonton in CPL action, with the two outfits meeting for the first time (May 29, 7:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. MT, on OneSoccer).

KEYS TO THE MATCH

• Lateral passing: A narrow field leaves teams with less room to operate in key attacking zones, so going down the middle isn’t ideal. Luckily, both teams are built around burly centre-forwards who need little room to operate, and winger who can hug the touchline, making the wide lanes key to success for both sides.
• Enjoy the occasion: It’s not every day you have a home opener, and as these little moments of history become fewer and further between, York9 ought to savour the day and all that it offers. The storyline is set for a Nine Stripes victory in front of their own supporters, and while the expectation of a result could be seen as unneeded pressure – doubly so against a bitter rival – Brennan will certainly need little to motivate his players for this bout.
• Four at the back: Brennan affirmed following a 1-0 win over Blainville that his team would not be afraid of making changes when needed. It’s why he swapped from a three-man backline to four at the back, and it’s a tactical switch that could serve Y9 well against Forge, too. Keeping three forwards in check requires at least one extra body, and while Luca Gasparotto in particular is adept at handling his mark, leaving too much on his plate could prove costly.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

York9 FC: Nathan Ingham; Steven Furlano, Luca Gasparotto, Daniel Gogarty, Diyaeddine Abzi; Ryan Telfer, Emilio Estevez, Manny Aparicio, Kyle Porter, Rodrigo Gattas; Simon Adjei

Forge FC: Triston Henry; Giuliano Frano, Dominic Samuel, Bertrand Owundi, Daniel Krutzen; Kwame Awuah, Elimane Cisse, Kyle Bekker; Emery Welshman, Tristan Borges, Anthony Novak

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Forge 1-1 York9 – April 27, 2019

STATS LEADERS 

Anthony Novak, Tristan Borges, Kadell Thomas – 2 goals (Forge FC)
Simon Adjei, Rodrigo Gattas, Ryan Telfer – 1 goal (York9)

INJURIES

Roger Thompson (York9 FC) – Doubtful
Joseph Di Chiara (York9 FC) – Doubtful
Jonathan Grant (Forge FC) – Questionable

INTERNATIONAL DUTY

None

SUSPENSIONS

None

ACCUMULATION

None

REFEREES

Referee: Yusri Rudolf
ARs: Peter Pendli & Sean Hornsby
4th Official: Filip Dujic