Toronto, ON – August 25, 2025 – York United FC Academy has completed its inaugural season in the League1 Ontario Championship, finishing in fifth place with 35 points. Under the guidance of Head Coach Silviu Butnaru, the team established itself as one of the league’s most exciting sides, scoring 39 goals to rank as the fourth-best attack of the campaign.
A Season of Milestones
The inaugural roster featured a strong local identity, with 20 players born or raised in the Greater Toronto Area. The squad quickly adapted to the professional environment and set a high standard for future Academy seasons. Importantly, the average age of the team during the 2025 season was just 18.7 years, highlighting the club’s commitment to developing young talent and providing meaningful opportunities for the next generation.
One of the season’s standout moments came from Angelos Zorbas, who at just 16 years old became the youngest player to debut for York United Academy.
The Academy also made its presence felt on the international stage:
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Joshua Lopez: invited to Uruguay’s U20 scouting group
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Anthony Umanzor: called up by El Salvador U-17 as part of preparations for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar 2025
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Davin Chhoeun: called up to the Cambodia U23 National Team for AFC U23 Asian Cup preparations
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Yaathav Lakshman: key member of the Tamil Eelam squad that won the 2025 CONIFA Asia Cup
Pathway to the First Team
Integration with the Canadian Premier League squad was a major success in 2025.
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12 Academy players trained with the First Team during the season
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3 players – Joshua Lopez, Anthony Umanzor and Michael Williams – earned call-ups to First Team matchday squads, with Lopez and Umanzor already making their CPL debuts
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Additionally, 3 Academy players – Kemari Record-Wright, Joshua Lopez and Anthony Umanzor – represented Team Ontario at the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
Building for the Future
The inaugural League1 Championship season has underscored the Academy’s role as a true pathway to the professional game. Players are immersed in the same tactical model, culture, and expectations as the First Team, ensuring they are prepared to compete at the highest level.
York United FC is proud of the Academy’s early achievements and remains committed to creating more opportunities for young talent across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. With the foundation now set, the program is well positioned to continue producing the next generation of Canadian Premier League players.
