In yesterday evening’s Canada Day matchup, FC Edmonton beat York United FC at home in Clarke Stadium by a comfortable margin of 3-0.
It was the last-place Eddies’ second consecutive home win, their second win of the season, and their first win by three goals since September 2021. With a game in hand, they are now just one point behind York.
It was United’s worst loss of the season so far, coming after they played their fifth game in just over two weeks with a squad depleted through injury and suspension.
FC Edmonton defeats York United in the bottom-of-the-table matchup
Despite pre-match discussion from York coach Martin Nash about the importance of starting the game well, his team was down 1-0 within 25 minutes off a corner. Things didn’t get any better from there. Just ten minutes into the second half, Edmonton wingback, Marcus Simmons – a former York University Lion – was left wide open to cross the ball to striker Mamadi Camara and it was 2-0:
Can't stop watching this cross from @Marcus_Simmons_ to @Mamadi_Camara6 for @FCEdmontonNow yesterday 🎯🎯#CanPL | 📺: @OneSoccerpic.twitter.com/me7UTeCNNc
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) July 2, 2022
Minutes later, a defensive error from center-back Jordan Wilson lead to the third Edmonton goal. It was another debilitating loss for The Nine Stripes, who lacked pace from the jump. The return of captain Roger Thompson and forwards Martin Graiciar and Austin Ricci can’t come sooner.
The lone point of optimism for York was the promising debut of emergency goalkeeper Gianluca Catalano. The 22-year-old, who plays for Electric City FC in League 1 Ontario, made a fantastic penalty save in the 29th minute to keep the game at 1-0:
CLUTCH SAVE 🧤@YorkUtdFC goalkeeper Gianluca Catalano keeps his team in this one vs. @FCEdmontonNow, saving a penalty conceded by Osaze De Rosario#CanPL | 🔴 https://t.co/7JFAUhgjL6 pic.twitter.com/sABVxJL38F
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) July 1, 2022
Deputy captain Dominick Zator spoke with the press afterwards. He pointed toward an abundance of errors as the reason for the loss:
"I think there were too many errors from us collectively, everyone on the team. It wasn't good enough and we have to put our heads down this week and start figuring things out"
Sights and Sounds from @FCEdmontonNow's 3-0 win over @yorkutdfc ⬇️#CanPL
— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) July 2, 2022
York Player of the Match and Games Coming Up Next
It was slim pickings, but it has to be Gianluca Catalano. Saving a penalty on your debut, especially with the game still very much in reach, is impressive. The Toronto FC academy product managed to not only guess the right way but also showed good footwork and strong hands to ensure the save was made.
Following games against sixth-place Valour and last-place Edmonton, York faces Forge, Pacific, Calvary, and Atlético Ottawa – the current CPL top-four – in consecutive games. They will take on Forge FC on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET at the York Lions Stadium. The game will be shown live on OneSoccer and Telus.
Photo Credit: FC Edmonton by Sherri Lacasse on July 1, 2022.
