York 2021 Season Preview

It was a disappointing Island Games for York (they’ll always be York 9 to us, but have rebranded as York United), as they just missed out on the second round by a point after being within the top 4 until the last matchday. Jimmy Brennan’s side even knocked off the eventual champions Forge, but couldn’t quite take it to the next level. This ushered in an off-season of change for the club, beyond the brand itself, with one of the highest rates of turnover in the league. In fact, the top scorer for York still on the roster is “Own Goal” with 2, ahead of Diyaeddine Abzi, Lowell Wright and Alvaro Rivero with 1 each. No other player on the current roster has scored in green, which is quite something. The jury is still out on Brennan and Angus McNab, who was brought in as president to oversee the club, but the quality of Canadian signings brought in at least should give York supporters some hope.

Key Arrivals

Dominick Zator, D (2020: Cavalry, by way of a loan at Vasalunds, Sweden)

Brought in to fill a Gasparotto-sized gap in the back line, York have added arguably the league’s best defender in a shock move. Some didn’t expect him to ever make an appearance for York given the immediate loan to Sweden, but he’s back and will get a chance to kick off the season against his former side. Bringing both a defensive presence and good movement of the ball from the back, the arrival of Zator alone gives York a push toward the playoffs.

Chrisnovic N’Sa, D (2020: Halifax Wanderers)

Joining his brother Felix as a fellow newcomer to Brennan’s side is the impressive rightback who blossomed with Wanderers at the Island Games. A like-for-like replacement for Morey Doner with perhaps a stronger defensive presence, N’Sa should slot in to the lineup immediately.

Noah Verhoeven, M (2020: Pacific)

Completing a trifecta of big signings from other CPL clubs, 22-year-old creative midfielder Verhoeven joins after a couple of seasons on the West Coast, including a somewhat disappointing Island Games. With several departures from midfield, Verhoeven should play a big role for York who will be looking for him to unlock defences with his vision and range of passing.

Other arrivals: Julian Ulbricht, F (2020: Hamburg II, Germany); Ryan Lindsay, D (2020: Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia); Felix N’Sa, M (2020: Panellinios Montreal FC); Niko Giantsopoulos, G (2020: Cavalry); Cédric Toussaint, M (2020: Montreal Impact Academy); Jordan Wilson, D/M (2020: Nykøbing FC, Denmark); Jordan Faria, M (2020: Toronto FC II); Gerard Lavergne, M (2020: FC Tucson, USL League One); Osvaldo Ramirez, F (2020: Cancun FC, Mexico); Nicholas Hamilton, F/W (2020: Dundee, Scotland); Terique Mohammed, D (2020: FC Edmonton - on loan from Dundalk, Ireland)

Big Departures

Luca Gasparotto, D (retired)

York’s ironman through their ‘York9’ days, Gasparotto’s retirement was a disappointment for many CPL fans, as he was only entering the prime of his career. This is another example of the low wages offered by the league, and unfortunately were likely to see similar retirements in the future. Unheralded by most CPL pundits, he was nevertheless statistically one of the best centrebacks in the league over the last two seasons, particularly impressing in the air. Zator will be his replacement and you can’t do much better than that, although they’re different styles of centreback. We have a feeling Gasparotto’s absence will be felt by York more than perhaps expected.

Wataru Murofushi, M (Bucheon FC, South Korea)

We bigged him up before the Island Games, and we remain convinced that Murofushi was one of the most underrated midfielders in the CPL’s first 2 seasons. Scoring 3 goals over 30 appearances since 2019, Murofushi was one of those midfielders that goes about their role quietly and efficiently, and therefore flies under the radar a bit. It’ll be interesting to see who Brennan plans to slot into his box-to-box role.

Manny Aparicio, M (Pacific FC)

Aparicio joins Murofushi and Joseph Di Chiara in leaving the club, resulting in essentially a complete overhaul of the central midfield. Aparicio’s danger from free kicks will be a particularly big loss, and his physical presence in the middle of the park does not appear to have been replaced.

Other departures: Julian Altobelli, F (Toronto FC II, USL League One); Ezequiel Carrasco, G (free agent); Gabriel Vasconcelos, F (Sampaio Corrêa, Brazil); Fugo Segawa, D (free agent); Matthew Arnone, D (free agent); Chris Mannella, M (Atletico Ottawa); Ryan Telfer, W/F (Atletico Ottawa); Jace Kotsopoulos, F (Guelph, League 1 Ontario); Morey Doner, D (Halifax Wanderers); Kyle Porter, M (FC Edmonton)

Likely lineup

G

Nathan Ingham will likely retain his starting spot, although his penchant for a clanger among his solid shot-stopping ability could open up some time for newcomer Giantsopoulos.

D

The backline will be anchored by Zator and Roger Thompson, a pairing that’s competitive with any in the league. On the left, Abzi should retain his usual starting position although Brennan may also see him further up the pitch on the left side. On the right, Chrisnovic N’Sa will likely be an ever-present. Jordan Wilson offers a versatile option who can slot in on either side if needed, and loanee Terique Mohammed is likely to see some time as well.

M

After a wholesale change of the midfield, York is likely to see a combination of Noah Verhoeven, Jordan Faria and Gerard Lavergne making claims to starting positions. Young Max Ferrari can also expect some time after some impressive performances in PEI, while Cédric Toussaint and Isaiah Johnston offer some interesting options off the bench.

F

After mixed results from their strikers at the Island Games, York are likely to run with either Alvaro Rivero or Julian Ulbricht on a regular basis at centre forward. Rivero did look better than the departed Gabriel Vasconcelos in PEI (but who wouldn’t?!), but he will be challenged by fellow 21st Club recruit Ulbricht. On the wings, Jamaican Nicholas Hamilton is back after an unproductive loan spell in Scotland, and should see ample time on the left. Meanwhile, the club’s real offensive spark should be Michael Petrasso on the right, coming off an impressive loan spell with Barnet in the English National League (5th tier) where he was voted club MVP. He’ll need to continue that form with Brennan’s side if they’re going to score many goals this year.

Keep an eye on: Michael Petrasso - out of all of the CPL players loaned out between the Island Games and this season, Petrasso had by far the most success, and could likely have performed in a higher division in England. His performances this year will be key to York’s success (or lack thereof).

Big Question: How big of a loss will the internationals be?

More than any other team, York have subscribed to the 21st Club model of recruitment. Unfortunately for them, the ongoing pandemic has meant that many of their signings haven’t been able to make it to Canada. This season, that includes Brazilian William Wallace, Colombian Sebastian Gutierrez, and Argentians Mateo Hernández and Lisandro Cabrera. One would expect that Jim Brennan has built his squad based around the hopeful inclusion of these players, and their absence leaves the side fairly thin, especially on the attacking side of the field. Despite some impressive additions, Brennan will again have his work cut out for him this year.