York9 FC 2020 Season Preview

Better late than never...

Arrivals and Departures

York have had one of the more active off-seasons in the CanPL, and the moves they’ve made have made them several pundits’ favourites going into the Island Games, despite the loss of beloved mascot Yorky.

Gone is the entire contingent of strikers from last season: Michael Cox, Cyrus Rollocks, Austin Ricci, Stefan Lamanna, Simon Adjei and - most significantly - Chilean Rodrigo Gattas. Talented young Taiwanese midfielder Emilio Estevez joined the exodus, being sold to Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag in a significant deal for the league. Canadian centreback Daniel Gogarty was probably the most surprising departure after featuring 20 times last season. Joining the exodus from the York Region were Canadian keepers Matt Silva and Colm Vance, St. Kittian defender Justin Springer, and Canadian fullback Steven Furlano. Aside from a few like Gattas, Adjei and Gogarty, though, most departures were peripheral for Jim Brennan’s first-year side.

Last year’s star winger/forward Ryan Telfer’s loan from TFC ended after last season and, released from the MLS side, he joined Cypriot side Nea Salamis. After just 3 appearances, the pandemic cut his contract short and the Trinidadian international rejoined York - a huge coup for Brennan after his 8 goals last season.

Brennan also pulled off three huge Canadian signings: right winger Michael Petrasso from Valour, centreback Matthew Arnone from Halifax, and centre-mid Chris Mannella from defunct Ottawa Fury. Highly-rated international forwards Álvaro Rivero and Gabriel Vasconcelos also joined up, and will be expected to replace the departing goalscorers, although their careers to this point don’t exactly scream “goals”. Japanese leftback Fugo Segawa rounds out the international arrivals, with Nicholas Hamilton, Brian López, Jacó and Adrián Ugarriza all unable to join due to the pandemic (York took the biggest hit of any CanPL side in this regard).

Filling out the roster is a strong contingent of young Canadians, including 16-year old striker Lowell Wright, 17-year old keeper Ezequiel Carrasco, centre mids Max Ferrari, Julian Altobelli and Isaiah Johnston, winger Ijah Halley, and striker Jace Kotsopoulos, who scored 2 goals in 3 games for Forge on a USports contract last year.

Projected Lineup

We expect Brennan’s side to line up in a conventional 4-2-3-1, relying on wingers Telfer and Petrasso for a lot of the offense. Who will start in the number 9 position is a bit of a mystery at this point, with Vasconcelos (he of the #99 shirt), Rivero and Kotsopoulos all in contention. We’re expecting the Brazilian to get first crack at leading the line, but rotation throughout the tournament. Telfer can also step in to this position, allowing for some adjustment on the wings.

In the centre of the park,York have some solid depth, and options for rotation. We’re expecting Manny Aparicio to operate behind the forward line in a more creative role, with Mannella and the underrated Wataru Murofushi solidifying things. Joe di Chiara and Kyle Porter will also rotate in as required.

In defence, York are widely recognized to have the two best fullbacks in the league in Diyaeddine Abzi on the left, and Morey Doner on the right. These two each provided 4 assists last season, and will be counted on for similar contributions in PEI. At centreback, Luca Gasparotto flew under the radar last season but was one of the league’s best defenders, and played every minute last season for York. This will continue in PEI, with either Matthew Arnone or Roger Thompson partnering. We predict Arnone to start, but time to be relatively split for the two.

In net, there’s no question that former FC Edmonton, Calgary Foothills and Pittsburgh Riverhounds keeper Nathan Ingham will continue to be number 1, having led the league in saves by 21 over his closest competitor last season.

The Big Questions

Has Brennan been able to adjust to the pandemic omissions?

More than any other club (with the possible exception of Cavalry), York have been impacted by the pandemic, with four players unable to join the team for PEI. These players, particularly Jamaican winger Hamilton and Peruvian forward Ugarriza were expected to be key players for Brennan, and their absence has required a shift in tactical plans and roster moves at relatively short notice. Whether Brennan has the tactical prowess to make these adjustments remains to be seen.

Are Vasconcelos and Rivero up to the task?

These two international signings come highly touted, but with questionable resumes to this point in their careers. Regardless of the absentees mentioned above, York were already looking to move on from the relatively disappointing Adjei and unproductive Cox and Rollocks (who showed flashes), and Gattas’ quality left for a presumably large paycheck in Azerbaijan. Rivero and Vasconcelos will be relied on for goals in PEI, and whether they can produce or not will play a large part in determining how long York stays on the island.

Can they live up to the hype?

A lot of pundits are predicting York will break up Forge and Cavalry’s two-team domination of the league, and with the additions of Petrasso, Mannella and Arnone and the return of Telfer, combined with last year’s best performers staying put, it’s easy to see why. Question marks remain up front, and in terms of Brennan’s experience as manager, which will determine whether or not the “experts” are proved right.

The Main Lads

Diyaeddine Abzi

A classic marauding fullback, Abzi created 4 goals and added one of his own last year - great numbers for a defender. His speed and skill on the ball add another offensive dimension to the squad, and allows the forwards to push more into the box. Pushing forward so much obviously leaves his side vulnerable to attack, and defensive positioning is one area for improvement. Fugo Segawa, arriving from FInland’s second-tier provides some healthy competition, but don’t expect to see Abzi sitting out too much of the tournament.

Ryan Telfer

Probably a surprise return for the Trinidad & Tobago international (with 2 international goals to his name) after his move to Cyprus, the pandemic worked out in at least one positive way for York in this sense. Last season’s top scorer is clearly one of the league’s best players, and will be counted on for a big contribution in Charlottetown. Last year, Telfer had a tendency to drift in and out of games, and if Brennan can get him making a more consistent contribution, look out. Usually operating on the left but also an option at striker, we’re expecting Telfer to end up among the league’s top scorers again.

Luca Gasparotto

Playing every minute of every game for York last season, it’s easy to tell that Gasparotto is a key part of any success York might have. The former Rangers, Falkirk and Morton man showed his experience throughout the season, was a classic aerial presence, and apart from a few brain farts, was consistently solid at the back. With a more consistent partner this season, whether it’s Thompson or Arnone, we’re expecting an even better second season for Gasparotto.

X-factor

Wataru Murofushi

This one might be a little out of left field, but we were big fans of the former Singapore Premier League player of the season last year, and he certainly flew under the radar for a lot of CanPL viewers. Murofushi is a classic box-to-box midfielder, adept at winning and retaining possession, with solid distribution, and an eye for goal (3 goals last year). We worry that the addition of Mannella might push him down the pecking order, but if Brennan’s smart, Murofushi will be a regular presence.

Disgruntled Thought

In what universe was Jimmy Brennan in the coach of the year conversation last year??

Prediction

When you consider that Telfer wasn’t expected to return in 2020, York has potentially one of the most improved squads in the league. We haven’t talked much about Petrasso, but if he plays to his potential York should have no trouble scoring goals. But are they really at the level of Cavalry and Forge? We’re saying “not yet” but York is likely to be playing more than 7 games on the island.

Round-robin prediction: 3rd