2024 CPL Regular Season — Match #8 York United FC vs. Forge FC April 21, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET York Lions Stadium in Toronto, Ont. Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca & TELUS Ch. 980 // Tickets available here​


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During his introductory press conference as part of the new York United ownership group, President Ricardo Pasquel made a prediction. With his club's new ambition, the next few years won't be quite as happy for their rivals down the road, Forge FC. On Sunday afternoon at York Lions Stadium, the Nine Stripes get their first crack at their 905 derby rival of 2024, as they host Forge in their home opener. York are searching for their first victory of the campaign after Atlético Ottawa defeated them 2-1 at TD Place Stadium in the opening match of the 2024 season. Despite scoring first through Austin Ricci, York were left to rue a number of missed chances as the capital club completed the comeback in the second half. The Nine Stripes return home where they will look to be significantly better than they were in 2023, collecting just 14 points from 14 home matches. A big part of that was starting slowly, as York were outscored a stunning 13-4 in the first half of matches at home last season. The club has worked hard this off-season on improving its gameday experience, which could be a key factor in making York Lions Stadium more of a fortress in 2024. "We have to have the right mindset and we've got to have the same work rate we showed even in Ottawa first week and what we had been doing on the road last year," said York United head coach Martin Nash. "Be on the front foot, there were moments last year where we weren't, and we're aware of it, and now we've got to get behind the guys more and I think some of the things going on at the stadium will help make it a better atmosphere, which will help." In the four meetings between the two clubs last season, neither side defeated the other at home. This doesn't come as a real surprise, as Forge also did their best work on the road last season. Only York picked up more points away from home in 2023 than Forge's 23, and they were defensively stellar, allowing a league-low 14 goals in 14 games away from Tim Hortons Field. The Hamilton side were victorious on both of their visits to York Lions Stadium last season, including a dominant 4-0 win in their most recent trip up the road on July 9, 2023. In fact, Forge have not allowed a goal in their last three trips to York Lions Stadium, all of which were victories. It was the first time Forge FC won their season opener. Traditionally slow starters, Forge have only been victorious once in their second match of a CPL season, back at the 2020 Island Games against FC Edmonton. Despite the Hamilton side having the better all-time record in the 905 derby, York have always proven to be a tricky opponent for Forge. Should they defeat Forge on Saturday, the Nine Stripes will have done so more than any other club in league history. Noah Jensen, who missed Forge's opening match of the season with a minor injury is back and available for selection on Sunday. Defender Garven Metusala remains injured, however, while Forge are still waiting on work visas for Nana Ampomah and Elimane Cissé. York were missing a number of players during their season opener -- with just four outfield players on the bench against Atleti. Juan Córdova, Dennis Salanović, Matthew Baldisimo and Oswaldo Léon were all unavailable, while Frank Sturing had to be replaced by Noah Abatneh after warmups.
All CPL matches are available to stream on OneSoccer, FuboTV, or on TELUS Optik TV Channel 980.

3 THINGS TO WATCH​

  • Can Terran Campbell continue torrid form against York?: There was no team that Terran Campbell enjoyed playing against more in 2023 than York United. Seven of the ten goals he scored during the campaign came against the Nine Stripes. Campbell is coming off of a quiet first match of the season against Cavalry, where he was held without a shot and to just 22 touches. A trip to York Lions Stadium, however, seems like the perfect place for the CPL's all-time leading goalscorer to open his 2024 regular season account. "He does all the right things, gets into the right spots," said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis of Campbell. "Then it is about percentages sometimes the ball will go there once and you are in the right spot and you go there, and sometimes you are going to make ten movements in the right way and the ball doesn't get there. But you to keep doing that as I striker, I think that's what he does very well. He knows where to move, he knows where to go, it's about the rest of the guys making sure that we put the ball in the right areas for him."

  • Can York show better composure in front of goal?: In an impressive season-opening effort on the road against Ottawa, York United easily could have left the nation's capital with three points. York managed 2.2 expected goals, the most of any CPL club during opening weekend, on 14 shots, creating four big chances. In the end, however, they scored just once, through an excellent effort from Austin Ricci. Despite that, Ricci will feel he could have had more as he had what could be the miss of the season in the first half. Striker Brian Wright, meanwhile, failed to score despite two shots on target valued at 0.71 combined expected goals, and defender Noah Abatneh missed a header from close range. Finishing was an issue, especially for York's attackers last season, and missing chances is not something they will want to make a habit of again this season.

  • The first goal looms large in 905 Derby: Neither Forge nor York were particularly good at starting matches on time last season, often allowing the opening goal. That was the case for both clubs during the opening weekend, and something they will surely hope to change starting Sunday. For York, in particular, this was a big reason why their home form was so poor in 2023 as they were constantly chasing matches after allowing the visitors to strike first. In 905 Derby matches, the opening goal carries particular weight. The side that scored first has won 18 of the 21 all-time meetings between these two sides, and only once did the team who opened the scoring lose.

PROJECTED STARTING XIs​


York United (4-2-3-1): Vincensini; Ferrari, Abatneh, Higgins, Botello; Martínez, Soumaoro; Ricci, Babouli, Bayiha; Wright

Forge FC (4-3-3): Kalongo; Duncan, Achinioti-Jönsson, Owolabi-Belewu, Parra; Hojabrpour, Bekker, Jensen; Borges, Badibanga, Campbell ​

ALL-TIME SERIES​


York United wins: 7 || Forge FC wins: 12 || Draws: 2

Last meeting:

August, 12, 2023 — Forge FC 3-3 York United​

KEY QUOTES​


“I think the biggest thing with Forge is defensive organization. They are so good with the ball, if you are not organized defensively they can punish you. They can punish you with individual quality and they bring a lot of numbers in attack. So if you don't have your right shape, and you even get out of shape they can pin you in for large periods of the game.” — York United head coach Martin Nash

“When you look at [York's] performance last week, I thought they were quite good. I thought they were quite good for probably some more points on the board. They're a dangerous team, they're a team that have quality players all over the pitch and we need to understand that first and foremost and then at the same time like with every team we need to see where our opportunities are against them."— Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis​

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