RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Vancouver FC | July 19, 2025

York United continued their domination of Vancouver FC on Saturday, with a 4-0 victory at York Lions Stadium.

Adonijah Reid opened the scoring, while a brace from Gabriel Bitar and Kembo Kibato, both former Eagles, added insult to injury as they extended York's lead late in the second half. Vancouver FC are now scoreless in four consecutive matches against York United.

It took the hosts just three minutes to open the scoring. A good combination from Massimo Ferrin and Max Ferrari down the left-hand side saw the latter burst into the box. He played a low cross into the box, while Julian Altobelli let it drift into the path of Reid who made it 1-0. The York striker scored for a third consecutive league match.

The in-form attacker, Reid, was a constant threat thereafter, nearly adding a second in the 12th minute on a volley in the box, which ultimately sailed high and wide.

The visitors were allowed to grow into the match, however, and started to hold onto the ball and get it into dangerous areas. In the 29th minute, Allan Enyou picked off a poor pass out of the back from York United and sent a dangerous strike just high and wide.

York came close to adding another in the 33rd minute, as some lovely play from Kibato saw the York midfielder pick the ball off and play in Altobelli. However, he dragged his strike from outside the box just wide.

Both sides lacked composure throughout the opening 45 minutes, with several wayward passes or touches gifting possession to the other team, including in dangerous areas. York were especially threatening in counter-attacking situations, but also rushed their attack in a few moments.

The Nine Stripes continued to threaten, however, and Altobelli had another great look in the 43rd minute when Reid played in Altobelli. However, York's leading scorer once again could not find the target with his shot.

Neither side would have been particularly happy with their performance during the choppy first half, but York held their 1-0 lead going into half-time.

Altobelli had a pair of shots early in the second half as York continued to take the ball off of Vancouver in dangerous areas. His first, however, was an ambitious chip from well out, and his second ultimately a fairly routine stop for Callum Irving.

In the 55th minute, Vancouver FC won a free kick just outside of the box after Thierno Bah was fouled, but substitute Thomas Powell's delivery didn't find anyone in the box. Early in the half, the Eagles also brought in Juan Batista for Pathe Ndiaye looking to change their attacking setup.

In the 64th minute, Mauro Eustáquio gave Shaan Hundal his debut with his hometown club, also bringing in captain Elijah Adekugbe to add solidity in the midfield. Hundal nearly made an immediate impact, combining to play Ferrin into the box. The winger's shot was blocked, and Hundal couldn't keep his follow-up attempt on the volley down.

York kept pushing for a second, getting in behind the Vancouver line on several occasions, especially in wide areas, but were unable to convert those into shots on target.

In the 84th minute, York put the match to bed, some lovely combination play between Ferrin and Hundal saw the latter play Bitar in out wide, and his clever curling finish made it 2-0 for the Nine Stripes.

York then added a third in the 88th minute. Bitar cut down the left again, chipping the ball into the path of fellow substitute Shola Jimoh. The youngsters' opportunity was denied, but Kibato was on hand to smash home York's third.

In stoppage time, the complete capitulation from the Eagles continued as Bitar broke in behind on a great ball from Adekugbe. He rounded Irving and slotted home his second of the match, and York's fourth.

With the win, York are now nine points above the playoff line in the fifth and final playoff spot -- while Vancouver FC now trail them by 13 points with 13 matches remaining.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United: Urtiaga; Singh, Sturing, Higgins; Ferrazzo, Accettola (Adekugbe 64'), Kibato, Ferrari (Da Silva 87'); Reid (Bitar 72'), Ferrin (Jimoh 87'), Altobelli (Hundal 64')

Vancouver FC: Irving; Dada-Luke, Campagna, O'Connor, Enyou; Bah, Essoussi, Norman Jr. (Powell 45'), Gee (Podgorni 86'); Godbout (Tahid 70'), Ndiaye (Batista 56')

Goals

3' -- Adonijah Reid (York United)
84' -- Gabriel Bitar (York United)
87' -- Kembo Kibato (York United)
90+2' -- Gabriel Bitar (York United)

Discipline

49' — Yellow: Aidan O'Connor (Vancouver FC)