July 25, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release
It’s a top-of-the-table clash under the lights in Toronto this Friday, as York United FC attempt to make up some ground on the Canadian Premier League’s current leaders, Atlético Ottawa.
York will have their sights set on extending their current three-game unbeaten streak, and continuing to improve their stellar home record. In seven home games this year, they’ve won five, drawn one and lost one, the sole defeat being their home opener against Forge.
That’s a major part of the reason York sit second in the league with 24 points, six clear of the playoff line and five back of first place. They added another point to their ledger last weekend with a draw on the road against Vancouver FC, where Mo Babouli put the Nine Stripes briefly in front before a late equalizer led to a split decision.
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The only team in ahead of York at this point is their opponent for this week. Atlético Ottawa have been atop the table for the last 12 weeks in a row, leading the pack with an 8-5-2 record and 29 points. They’ve got a point to prove on Friday, however, because they stumbled a little last weekend with a 2-2 draw against Valour FC, where they briefly trailed against the CPL’s last-place side but still managed a point thanks to Rubén del Campo.
Atleti have lost just two league games in 2024, but one of them was to York United. In fact, it was the Nine Stripes who first broke Ottawa’s unbeaten streak to start the year, handing them their first defeat in their 10th CPL match. However, Ottawa have yet to lose on the road, where they have 14 points already this year – which is more than they had after six away games in 2022, when they set a CPL record for points on the road.
“I think I got them by surprise,” said York head coach Benjamín Mora, whose first win in charge of York was that triumph in Ottawa on June 15.
“They didn’t know me very well, so maybe I could have been a little bit lucky and fortunate that they didn’t know how I do things. Now they’re going to be more aware of our style, because they’ve been watching us for many games and knowing how it can be a better game for them. But I think they have quality in their individuals, they have a good squad. They’re backed up by a great institution, they have a good coach, they have players that know the game, and they have been consistent.”
History favours York…
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