| Final Score: York United 3-1 Cavalry FC Goalscorers: Reid 40', López 59', Ferrari 84'; Aird (pen.) 87' Game of the 2025 season: 85 CPL Match: 680 | |
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Match in a minute or less
York United continued a strong run of form at York Lions Stadium with a massive 3-1 victory over Cavalry FC on Friday night.
Adonijah Reid opened the scoring in the 40th minute, before Leonel López and Max Ferrari put the match beyond reach in the second half with a pair of well-taken goals. Fraser Aird had the lone goal for Cavalry from the penalty spot.
With a crucial three points collected, York narrowed the gap with third-place Cavalry to just a single point in the table.
Three Observations
York at their best in critical clash against Cavalry
Just four days after their worst performance of the season in a 4-0 loss in Halifax on Monday, York United returned home looking for a response.
Consider that mission accomplished. York came out at home in one of their most important matches of the season to date against a direct rival in the table in Cavalry, and delivered an emphatic 3-1 victory.
While they didn't necessarily dominate the ball (just 40.2 per cent possession), or the chances (25 touches in the box for Cavalry to just nine for York), from an execution and emotion standpoint, they were miles ahead of their opponents on Friday night.
"Probably one of the more inspiring performances we've seen from a York team since I've been here," said York full-back Max Ferrari, "We just showed what we can do."
Defensively, they were committed and quick to get back into their 5-4-1 defensive shape as quickly as possible, while also swarming any Cavalry attacker that got the ball in dangerous areas. This made it incredibly difficult for the visitors to get any clear-cut chances throughout the 90 minutes, with the notable exception of Fraser Aird's 87th-minute consolatory penalty.
In attack, meanwhile, they demonstrated their quality, with Leonel López continuing to emerge as a game-changer in his ability to create and score goals, and Ferrari putting the match to bed with a lovely late effort of his own.
"Right after the game, I had a sense of irritation, if that makes sense, because I know this team is capable of games like this, and we've done it before, we just have to be consistent," said York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio.
They will have a big opportunity to show that quality again when hosting one of the two CPL teams they still have not defeated this season, Atlético Ottawa, next Sunday.
York United's attack igniting at home
The Vengaboys' anthem 'We like to party' serves as the goal song at York Lions Stadium, and it has sure been getting a lot of play lately.
For the fourth time in their past five home matches, York United scored three or more goals. They have scored 16 in their past five home games. Crucially, they are 6-1-1 in their past eight matches at York Lions Stadium as well.
When they are at their best this season, there has been a clinical edge to this York attack. They don't need many chances -- their three goals came on just six attempted shots and nine touches in the box on Friday.
Critically, they are getting goals from a lot of different sources as well. Leonel López has come in and scored in his past three home matches and added a scoring threat from midfield to go with their lethal front line.
His beautifully struck free kick in the 59th minute gave York the separation they needed on the night, before Max Ferrari put the match to bed with a stunning strike of his own in the 84th minute.
As this York team chases a home playoff match, their performances at home are both demonstrating how valuable that match could be, and crucial to them making that a reality.
Cavalry once again unable to pick up momentum
Cavalry came into Friday's match in completely opposite momentum to that of the hosts, after their biggest win of the campaign: 4-1 against Forge FC at home.
But momentum has felt elusive for this Cavalry team in recent months. Less than a week after that performance, which should have been a catalyst for them to go on a run, they were outclassed and outworked on Friday.
"We went from arguably our best performance of the season to following up with our worst, not good enough," said Cavalry FC manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr.
Cavalry have not won back-to-back matches since May 25, something that will not sit well with a team who are used to carrying that momentum at this stage in the season.
In particular, on Friday, Cavalry felt that their technical execution was significantly below standard. The team regularly failed to connect simple passes. It was on several of their giveaways that resulted in York's best chances, and ultimately goals.
Wheeldon Jr. said his group can expect a particularly difficult week of training ahead of another crucial match against Halifax next week. Lose that, and they could suddenly find themselves in fifth place -- just weeks removed from it looking like they were pulling away a bit.
What They Said
"I wanted a reaction. I got a perfect reaction. The boys went out there today, felt the game, knew the responsibility, wanted it, stuck with the game plan, and their quality took over the game." — York United head coach Mauro Eustáquio
"We seemed a step off it, especially after our performance last week. We thought maybe we can kick on and take that momentum into today, but we looked like a totally different team out there today...As a team, collectively, our standards are way better than we showed today." — Cavalry FC defender Fraser Aird
CanPL.ca Player of the Match
Max Ferrari, York United
The York United wing-back's stunning strike to put the match to bed was the cherry on top of an outstanding performance on Friday night. He also won six of nine duels, won three fouls, and a pair of tackles.
What’s next?
York United have another big home match coming up, as they host rival Atlético Ottawa at York Lions Stadium on Sunday, September 14 (2 p.m. ET). Cavalry, meanwhile, return home to ATCO Field where they host the Halifax Wanderers on Saturday, September 13 (2 p.m. MT).
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