OTTAWA, ON – York United FC wins a thriller at TD Place Stadium in the nation’s capital. It was a tight game with both teams having similar shots on goal. Both teams made game-saving tackles to extend it to penalty kicks. In the penalty shootout, York was the one who came out on top.
York United FC wins a thriller against provincial rivals Atlético Ottawa
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary:#YorkUnitedFC played well in the first half.
A key defensive play late in the second half helped #UnitedByYou get the victory.
York United FC goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos stepped up in the penalty shootout.#ATOvYRK | 1-1 (6-7) | #CanChamp
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 11, 2022
First half
Great defending was done from York United FC in the fifth minute of play. Ballou Tabla’s shot forced a save from the York United FC goalkeeper in the sixth minute. Atlético Ottawa looked like the more dangerous team early on. Ollie Bassett’s cross was good but stopped by York goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos. Miguel Acosta made a good run in the 13-minute but was unable to find an Ottawa player as Dominick Zator cleared the ball.
Maxime Tissot had a great run and was almost through, but York’s Chrisnovic N’sa, was able to stop Tissot from advancing in the 18-minute. Nathan Ingham was forced to make two big saves in the 19-minute. Ingham saved a shot from Osaze De Rosario and Cristián Gutiérrez in the 19-minute. Acosta went straight for the York goalkeeper trying to steal the ball. However, he was unable to do so.
31’ #YorkUnitedfFC scores! Diyaeddine Abzi scores a fantastic goal as he beats #ForOttawa’s goalkeeper Nathan Ingham and puts the ball into the back of the net! Lowell Wright was credited with the assist. #OneSoccer#ATOvYRK | 0-1 | #CanChamppic.twitter.com/e9wJ7HOWaL
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 10, 2022
Mateo Hernandez’s shot from very close range, but he missed the target. Lowell Wright’s shot deflected off Maxime Tissot in the 26-minute for a goal kick. For the goal, Wright made an excellent cross. He had the awareness to see Diyaeddine Abzi, who scored the terrific goal. Vladimir Moragrega’s header went straight to the York’s goalkeeper. Drew Beckie made a terrific defensive play to clear Dominick Zator’s shot out of the goal line in the 41-minute.
Second half and penalties
61’ #ForOttawa scores! A fantastic cross from Carl Haworth leads to a great goal scored by Malcolm Shaw. #OneSoccer#ATOvYRK | 1-1 | #CanChamp pic.twitter.com/2VnAMqmpSO
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 11, 2022
Carl Haworth made an excellent cross inside the box. His cross met perfectly with Malcolm Shaw, who put the ball into the back of the net. York goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos made a good save in a dangerous position. Ballou Tabla could not get to the ball in the 75-minute. Shaw’s shot missed the target. Ollie Brissett drew a foul in the 81-minute. N’sa made a great defensive play in the 90+2-minute to prevent a possible game-winning goal for Atlético Ottawa. N’sa made a great defensive play late in the game.
In penalties, both teams made most of their penalty kicks. However, it was York who came up on top. After Ottawa goalkeeper, Ingham saved the first York shot, York made their next seven. During that time, Ottawa did not convert on two penalties. This included Giantsopoulos making an acrobatic save on a Brian Wright shot.
Game Summary
HANDS UP IF YOU'RE IN THE NEXT ROUND OF #CANCHAMP!#UnitedByYou | #YorkUnitedFC pic.twitter.com/acxVOLeVLi
— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) May 11, 2022
York United FC advances to their second-straight Canadian Championship quarterfinals appearance (last year in the Canadian Championship, they were eliminated by Toronto FC). They will face Pacific FC later this month on the road at Starlight Stadium. This also marks the second-straight time that Atlético Ottawa lost in the Canadian Championship preliminary round. Ottawa lost last year against Valour FC (based in Winnipeg, Manitoba).
It was a game that could have gone either way. York had the better first half, while Ottawa had the better second half. In the penalty shootout, Niko Giantsopoulos stepped up big on one of the shots. Niko Giantsopoulos did not make many saves in the penalty shootout. However, the save he made on Atlético Ottawa’s second shot was probably the one that won them the game. When Ben McKendry’s penalty shot completely missed the target, York took advantage. Credit should also be given to York’s penalty kickers. After missing the first penalty shot, they made the next seven and ended up winning the game.
York United FC will now travel to Winnipeg against Valour FC on Sunday May 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET. They will then travel to Starlight Stadium to face Pacific FC. This Canadian Premier League season game will likely come a few days before the Canadian Championship quarterfinals between Greater Victoria and York.
Meanwhile, the nation’s capital will also be travelling in their next two games. First is the game on Saturday, May. 14 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Also, at 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 22, they will face FC Edmonton. All the games including the Canadian Championship game will be shown live on OneSoccer.
Three Takeaways: York United FC wins in thrilling fashion
HANDS UP IF YOU'RE IN THE NEXT ROUND OF #CANCHAMP!#UnitedByYou | #YorkUnitedFC pic.twitter.com/acxVOLeVLi
— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) May 11, 2022
Chrisnovic N’sa made a game-saving interception late in the game. N’sa made a great defensive play to intercept Brian Wright’s pass. If N’sa did not intercept that ball, Ottawa could have very well scored.
York United FC was excellent with their penalties. After having their first penalty kick stopped, York made their next seven spot-kicks, which included Cédric Toussaint scoring the game-winning goal.
Atlético Ottawa has never won against York United FC. Since Atlético Ottawa was born, Ottawa has never beaten York in eight meetings. They came very close, though, to beating York twice this year, including the wild draw at York Lions Stadium last week.
Photo Credit: Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography on May 10, 2022.
