For the first time since their opening match of the season, York United and Vancouver FC face off on Sunday afternoon -- this time at York Lions Stadium.
York won the first round, courtesy of a brace from Julian Altobelli off the bench in a 2-0 result back on April 6.
The Nine Stripes, however, have not won a match since, and currently sit at the bottom of the CPL table with just four points following a 2-1 loss to Valour FC in Winnipeg last weekend. It was a performance head coach Mauro Eustáquio called their worst of the season.
They also face a very different Vancouver FC side than they did on opening day, one who have made a number of significant signings since. The Eagles are starting to find their wings, having lost just once in their past six matches in all competitions.
That included a strong showing in a 1-1 draw with Cavalry FC at home in the first leg of their Canadian Championship quarter-final tie on Wednesday. They too, however, have just a single victory this season in CPL action.
A big issue for both clubs this season has been holding leads. Vancouver's draw with Cavalry FC was the fifth time they have scored first this season in all competitions, and they have relinquished that lead four times -- albeit winning on one of those occasions in penalties in the Canadian Championship preliminary round.
York United, meanwhile, have scored first in five of seven matches this season, but their win over Vancouver was the only time they have turned that into three points.
For Vancouver FC, scoring a second goal is an issue that has plagued them for some time. In their past 16 matches in all competitions dating back to August 31 of last season, they have done it just once -- their 3-1 victory over Valour on May 3.
The Eagles have lost twice in club history when they scored more than one goal in a game, with a 14-2-2 record in multi-goal performances. Only two of their 16 all-time wins as a club have been 1-0, showing just how important scoring multiple goals is to their success.
No player in the league's history has been more prolific against York United than Vancouver FC's Terran Campbell, however. He has scored ten times against the Nine Stripes, the second most any player has managed against a single CPL opponent, and his only career CPL hat-trick came at York Lions Stadium on July 9, 2023 when he was playing for Forge FC.
History is largely on the Nine Stripes' side in this particular fixture, however, as they have lost just once in the ten all-time meetings between the two clubs. That happened to be Vancouver FC's historic first-ever win as a club, at York Lions Stadium back on April 22, 2023.
Vancouver will still be without full-back Kunle Dada-Luke, who serves the final match of his suspension, while also still missing key attacker Nicolás Mezquida. York defenders Riley Ferrazzo and Luke Singh are both one caution away from suspensions of their own.
3 THINGS TO WATCH
-
Can York United find a way to be more disciplined?: York United have conceded a league-leading 116 fouls this season. The Nine Stripes lead the league in bookings as well, with 29 total (all yellow cards), 10 more than any other club. This has hurt them lately in two primary ways. Given the Nine Stripes' struggles with defending set pieces, they have given opponents far too many chances to be exposed in this area. Card and foul trouble have also forced York into in-game adjustments as well. This past weekend, for example, the Nine Stripes had to remove wing-back Riley Ferrazzo at half-time, seemingly because he had picked up a caution and was on his last warning from the referee. "It's something that's been haunting us," said Eustáquio. "It's something that we're aware of. But at the end of the day, I want our team to continue to be intense, just I guess, a bit more mature on how intense we are and how to win those balls and not make a foul."
-
David Norman Jr.'s versatility proving crucial for Vancouver FC: As the Eagles continue to search for their best eleven with a number of new signings and absences over the past few weeks, the versatility of David Norman Jr. has proven to be an important tool for head coach Afshin Ghotbi. Capable of playing as a central defender, midfielder, and full-back, often across these multiple roles in the same game, he has helped to occupy different spaces for this Vancouver FC team. For example, his ability to shift across into a left full-back role frees Elage Bah to make key attacking forays forward, while he can also step into midfield from central defender to add numbers and coverage there. After scoring against Cavalry FC in the Canadian Championship on Wednesday, Norman Jr.'s confidence appears to be at an all-time high heading into Sunday's clash with York United.
-
Gabriel Bitar thriving ahead of matchup with former club: If there is a clear bright spot lately for the Nine Stripes, it has been the play of attacker Gabriel Bitar. The 26-year-old has scored in back-to-back games now, with three on the season in total, and is thriving in this fluid York United attack -- which has allowed him to spend more time in the central areas where he generally thrives. Facing his former side, Vancouver FC on Sunday, Bitar will have added motivation to continue this fine run of form.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
York United: Urtiaga; Singh, Sturing, León; Ferrari, Adekugbe, Yeates, Ferrazzo; Bitar, Ferrin, Altobelli
Vancouver FC: Irving; Campagna, O'Connor, Norman Jr.; Gee, Fotsing, Fry, Bah; Campbell, Ndiaye, Díaz
ALL-TIME SERIES
York United wins: 7 || Vancouver FC wins: 1 || Draws: 2
Last meeting:
Apr. 6, 2025 —Vancouver FC 0-2 York United
KEY QUOTES
"We know that they brought new players in and they kind of have a new face to what they're doing. They're really well organized and really tough. So they showed even for their last cup game, how tough of a team they are. Obviously, something that we're aware of. We prepped all week for it, and we're ready for the challenge." -- York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio
"I think we're so close to having a team that can win on a consistent level. We're very close, it's sometimes one action away. I believe it's going to happen sooner rather than later, and I'm hoping it happens starting this weekend. We need to put a series of victories together to get more confidence in the group and put our team in a position that we want to be." -- Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi
"Yeah, I guess I always find a way to get a goal against York. So I'm looking forward to it. I know the guys are so it should be a really good game." -- Vancouver FC forward Terran Campbell