RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Vancouver FC (May 25, 2025)

For the first time since their season opener, York United were victorious on Sunday afternoon, against the very same opponent they beat in that match, Vancouver FC.

After the two sides met in Langley back on April 6, Sunday's 1-0 victory for York came at home at York Lions Stadium. It was their first home victory of the season.

Just as he was the last time these two clubs met, Julian Altobelli was the hero for York United again, scoring his sixth of the season, which tied him with Atlético Ottawa's Sam Salter.

York United had an early opportunity through a corner kick just two minutes into the match, but Oswaldo León's resulting effort at the back post was blocked. Vancouver FC had a good chance moments later as Terran Campbell nearly got in behind, but he couldn't get the ball under control.

The hosts controlled most of the ball in the early stages, with Elijah Adekugbe in the centre of a back three, they were able to build out of the back comfortably, switching play and trying to find space on either wing.

York had a great chance in the 25th minute when Gabriel Bitar broke in behind, he squared for Massimo Ferrin, but the pass took the York winger a little too wide and he was unable to get a shot off.

In the 29th minute, York opened the scoring, León sent a lovely ball over the top from the left flank to play Altobelli in behind. The York striker broke in on goal and curled his sixth of the season around Callum Irving to make it 1-0.

The goal seemed to wake up the visitors, who had a number of decent chances, especially late in the match as they got on the ball more often. But the Nine Stripes were able to hold onto their lead going into the half.

Vancouver adjusted at half-time, bringing off Campbell and bringing on Juan Batista, before shifting Elage Bah over to the right flank. This almost resulted in a chance immediately, with Bah cutting in and sending a shot just over the crossbar.

In the 54th minute, Vancouver came incredibly close to equalizing when Batista hit the crossbar with a curling shot from the top of the box.

Looking to get back in the match, Vancouver made a trio of substitutes, bringing in Henri Godbout, Emrick Fotsing, and TJ Tahid.

The visitors continued to press, and Henri Godbout came close to equalizing in the 81st minute, but couldn't get his shot on target, nor find Tahid in the centre of the box.

York's bid to see out the game, however, was dealt a new challenge when there were ten minutes of stoppage time added to the end of the match. Shortly after the board went up, tempers flared as the two sides came together in a confrontation after Shola Jimoh was shoved over with four players shown a yellow card.

Vancouver had one final chance to get a big equalizer, as they won a free kick at the top of the box. Vasco Fry's strike, however, deflected off the wall and just wide of the left post.

The Nine Stripes were able to hold on for a vital victory. Vancouver FC, meanwhile, are now scoreless in their past two league matches, and have scored just six through seven played.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United: Urtiaga; Sturing, Adekugbe, León; Ferrazzo, Kibato, Yeates, Botello; Bitar (Jimoh 73'), Ferrin (Singh 82'), Altobelli (Rosa 75')

Vancouver FC: Irving; Campagna, O'Connor, Norman Jr., Enyou; Essoussi (Godbout 69'), Fry; Campbell (Batista 46'), Ndiaye (Tahid 69'), Bah (Podgorni 90+5'); Díaz (Fotsing 69')

Goals

29' -- Julian Altobelli (York United)

Discipline

43' -- Yellow: Mehdi Essoussi (Vancouver FC)
79' -- Yellow: Henri Godbout (Vancouver FC)
87' -- Yellow: Orlando Botello (York United)
90+4' -- Yellow: Oswaldo León (York United)
90+4' -- Yellow: TJ Tahid (Vancouver FC)
90+4' -- Yellow: Aidan O'Connor (Vancouver FC)
90+4' -- Yellow: Bryan Rosa (York United)