York United have a chance to clinch the final Canadian Premier League playoff spot this weekend, when they host Valour FC at York Lions Stadium.
The Nine Stripes, fifth in the table with a 9-6-9 record and 33 points, would book their ticket to the postseason for a third straight year with a win or draw on Sunday. Their ambition is loftier than that, however; York are still firmly in the race for third place, currently six points behind Cavalry FC. The benefits of finishing higher up the table are significant; York would love to secure a home playoff game and avoid the midweek knockout match the fourth- and fifth-placed sides have to play.
Last Sunday, York had their first opportunity to clinch a playoff spot, but a 2-1 road loss to Vancouver FC meant they had to wait at least another week.
Valour, meanwhile, know their own playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. They're sixth in the table, but 11 points behind York with only four games left. Anything other than a win on Sunday would officially eliminate them.
Still, the Winnipeg side have seen some improvement lately; although they lost 3-0 at Cavalry last Saturday, they'd won their two prior matches, including a 5-2 triumph at Vancouver and a 2-1 result at home against league leaders Forge.
Although the odds of a push into the playoffs is very slim, Valour head coach Phil Dos Santos would still like to see his side show some fight.
Valour have had some close battles with York this season, with a win for each side plus a draw between them so far in their three meetings. Last time they visited Toronto back in July, Valour actually took the lead in the first half before conceding twice in stoppage time before the break, then just moments after resuming in the second half, en route to a frustrating 3-2 loss.
Both sides have most of their key contributors available; York coach Mauro Eustáquio said that leading scorer Julian Altobelli was held out last week as a precaution. However, Eustáquio remains without centre-back Oswaldo León, who recent had a 10-game suspension handed to him by the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Committee. Valour, meanwhile, are almost at full strength, though Dos Santos mentioned that goalkeeper Emil Gazdov won't play this week as he recovers from a very minor injury.
York have been generally excellent at home this season, with six wins and just three losses in their 12 matches at York Lions Stadium. However, they've been far from invincible against Valour; could the Winnipeg side land another blow and keep themselves alive?
3 THINGS TO WATCH
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York adapting at the back without León: York officially got news on Friday that centre-back Oswaldo León has been handed a 10-game suspension by the Canada Soccer Disciplinary Committee, confirming that he'll miss the remainder of the campaign. The Nine Stripes have been without the towering defender for the last three games after he was sent off in Halifax, but now know they have to fully adjust to life without him. Mauro Eustáquio has generally preferred not to stray away from his three-at-the-back system, but with a key defensive option unavailable he may opt for just two centre-backs. Frank Sturing will be the main leader at the back for York, with Luke Singh and Nyal Higgins the other main options in the position — though a healthy Elijah Adekugbe could be an excellent option, having played the position very well in a back three earlier this year.
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Himaras in line for start for Valour: Phillip Dos Santos confirmed on Friday that Eleias Himaras will get the start in goal for Valour in this game. Dos Santos said that Emil Gazdov has been dealing with a minor injury, but Himaras was likely to get the nod for this game regardless, as a scheduled rotation. Himaras has not played for Valour since July 9, but has made nine appearances in all competitions. He'll be comfortable at York Lions Stadium, of course; he spent four seasons at York United, and now gets a chance to play against his former club. Himaras also started against York earlier this season in Valour's 2-1 win.
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Physical tone expected from York: A key part of York's identity this season is the physical edge to their play. Opposing teams are well aware of York's ability to impose themselves in a game, especially in the penalty area. This fixture in particular, though, can get a bit chippy; Valour (336) and York (326) are first and second in the CPL in fouls conceded. Both managers, however, will be challenging their players not to get sucked into unnecessary clumsy tackles or give away set-piece opportunities; both these sides can be dangerous from dead-ball chances. "York is a fun team, playing against them," said Valour midfielder Raphael Ohin. "They're very physical, we know how they play and what they want to do. Last time we played them at their stadium we fell a little bit short."
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
York United: Urtiaga; Sturing, Adekugbe, Singh; Ferrari, Yeates, Kibato, Botello; Ferrin, Altobelli, Reid
Valour FC: Gazdov; Alarcón, Konincks, Facchineri, Antonoglou; Faria, Froese, Ohin, Figueiredo, Ressurreição; Morgan
ALL-TIME SERIES
York wins: 9 || Valour wins: 10 || Draws: 4
Last meeting:
August 17, 2025 — Valour 0-0 York United
KEY QUOTES
"We want to continue to build on having good performances, and obviously with a good performance comes good results. We're in the time of the season which is crunch time. We still have our internal goals, we want to reach that third place. As long as that's mathematically possible, we'll continue to fight for that." - York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio
"We know [York] is a team that has been very solid at home. They take care of the ball, they've been able to be effective on it, but it's also a team that could hurt you on transitions, it's a team that's been dagerous also in set play situations. They have quality people on the ball, so they could hurt you in many different ways. We need to be attentive to those moments." - Valour FC head coach Phillip Dos Santos