TORONTO, ON – After giving up an early lead, York United scored goals in the 80-minute and 84-minute to beat FC Edmonton in the Canadian Premier League yesterday. York United survive late drama after the 84-minute and won the game 3-2 against FC Edmonton.
The home side went ahead in the 10-minute of the game, with Osaze De Rosario playing Ronan Kratt in on goal. York looked to be in the driver’s seat before Gabriel Bitar cut their defense open and curled one around the keeper. In the 78-minute, it looked as though Edmonton would walk away with all three points when Azriel Gonzalez was left unmarked for a diving header. Then Lisandro Cabrera came and made a difference in the game.
Just a minute after being subbed on, the Argentinian forward got his heel on a whipping cross from Paris Gee and scored his first goal of the season. With the game tied and mere minutes left on the clock, what happened next could only be described as a “Godsend.”
Noah Verhoeven floated in a corner kick that looked destined for Edmonton keeper Andreas Vaikla’s hands. As two defenders stood and watched, the ball slipped through Vaikla’s palms and York midfielder Jordan Wilson got his head on it. The score was 3-2 York United as they won thanks to two late goals in the second half.
The game winner courtesy of Jordan Wilson 🤩#YorkUnitedFC | #UnitedByYou | @onesoccer pic.twitter.com/5m5XjJkVin
— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) August 14, 2022
York United survive and beat FC Edmonton in a five-goal thriller
Wilson explained after the game how he knew to stay open when everyone expected the keeper to make a save.
“I believe in karma. I believe in destiny,” said the 30-year-old.
“There was a play where Bitar grabbed me maybe five minutes before. I was upset, but I said ‘I’m going to let grace prevail. It’s Sunday – it’s God’s day.'”
Talk to anyone who witnessed the game: that goal was nothing short of a miracle.
“I believe the keeper having a spill – that was karma coming full circle. For it to just drop on my head was a Godsend.”
CPL Champion: Molham Babouli makes York debut
It was a game of firsts for multiple York United players, with fullback Paris Gee and keeper Eleias Himaras making their first starts for the club. But perhaps no debut was as exciting as Mo Babouli’s.
The Syrian international signed a contract on Wednesday that lasts through the end of the 2024 season. After reaching consecutive finals with Forge, he spent last year with Muaither FC in Qatar. York head coach sang Babouli’s praises following his 27-minute cameo.
“He’s tricky, he can twist and turn, but he can also play that last pass – and he scores goals in his sleep,” said Nash.
“He makes players around him better.”
🗣️ "It's nice to be home. You want to join any team that has the ambition to win. And I think this club does."
📺 In his first interview as a York United player, Mo Babouli chats about familiar faces, objectives & always having something to prove.#YorkUnitedFC | #UnitedByYou pic.twitter.com/vYPiMpGSMK
— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) August 11, 2022
Read More: The Relationship Between the Canadian MLS teams and CPL
Martin Nash: We are preparing for the future
Despite York’s recent uptick in form, and the arrival of multiple exciting players, Nash remained pragmatic in the post-game press conference.
When asked whether he has found his best supporting cast for Osaze De Rosario or not, he made it clear there was no rush.
“We brought these players in for next year. They’re trying to make the team for the future,” said Nash.
As his team sits 12 points out of a playoff spot with eight games remaining, York United’s coach says he is taking each game in stride.
“We’ve gotta stop win-losing now,” said Nash.
“We’ve won one, lost one a couple of times. Now we have to try to put back-to-back wins together.”
York got revenge against Edmonton after losing 3-0 at Clarke Stadium and also rebounded from their loss against Valour FC with a win against FC Edmonton. York United FC will now travel to Foothills County in Alberta to face Cavalry FC on August 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET. This is while FC Edmonton will host the HFX Wanderers FC on August 28 at 6:00 p.m. ET. All of these games will be shown live on OneSoccer and Telus.
Photo Credit: David Chant/York United FC on August 14, 2022.
