HEALEY: Why Noah Abatneh of York United could be next CanPL star to earn CanMNT considerations
Noah Abatneh knows he’s being watched.
Be it comments from Canadian Men’s National Team head coach Jesse Marsch or articles in The Athletic prophesizing future national team players, York United’s 19-year old centre-back fits the profile of player people hope to see produced by the CPL. He’s young but has already made 30 professional appearances. He’s imposing at 6’3 but with room to grow into his frame. But perhaps most importantly, Abatneh is goal-oriented, with an eye cast to the future and what he might be able to achieve.
“One of my biggest goals is to play for the men’s national team at a World Cup for Canada,” he told OneSoccer. “Just the fact that (Marsch) has eyes on the CPL, of course it’s a big thing I use as motivation to improve.”
Abatneh added he’s set lofty goals for himself, including one day playing in one of the world’s top five leagues. But it comes from knowledge gained through an impressive football upbringing, including time in Italy with Lazio’s academy and training spells in London with Arsenal and Fulham at just nine years old. In some ways, Abatneh’s rapid growth into a starting centre-back at York United felt inevitable.
So when Abatneh heard Marsch’s comments about Canada producing players to better help the national teams – of players like Moise Bombito being unacceptably discovered far too late, and his hope that the CPL give opportunities to 17, 18 and 19-year old players – he said it left quite an impression.
"It fits me. I’m in that age bracket. I really hope I can keep growing and improving and catch his attention."
Continuing to grow at York United
Abatneh signed with York United last year following his sojourn in Italy.
Only 18-years old at the time, Abatneh explained there was a transition period as he adapted to the rigours of a professional league. Receiving little playing time early, he said he focused on training and becoming comfortable in the dressing room while slowly being fed minutes by former York United head coach Martin Nash.
“Whenever I got my opportunity, I wanted to show it on the field and do what I do best,” said Abatneh of his transition.
One of the biggest impacts Nash made on Abatneh’s career was the decision to make him a centre-back. Previously, said Abatneh, he had played as an attacking midfielder before switching to a right-back in his later teenage years but by his own admission, lacked the pace to roam the wings.
“Nashy kind of made the choice to switch me to a centre-back because you don’t need as much pace if your positioning is good,” said Abatneh. “And my positioning is very good.”
As the season wore on, and he gained confidence in his new role as part of a back four, Abatneh slowly worked his way into York’s starting lineup. He ended 2023 with 12 appearances and 636 minutes played.
And Abatneh picked up right where he left off this season having already suited up 18 times across all competitions for the Nine Stripes. Importantly, he’s been a staple of both Nash’s backline as well as that of Benjamín Mora, who was named York United’s new head coach in June.
Mora has brought his own system with him, switching to a backline with three centre-backs and roving wing-backs, with Abatneh sliding over to play as the right-side defender. It’s a move, he said, which has allowed him to shine in possession as a ball playing centre-back.
“It gives you more freedom when you’re on the ball to try more things,” Abatneh explained. “For me, I’m free to dribble, to find the line breaking passes, because I have those two centre-backs behind me. I can push up a little bit more and attack down the right flank. I think his system has really benefited me.”
The numbers reflect Abatneh’s increased role in possession as he’s notched 991 passes, good for fourth in the league. Only Lorenzo Callegari, Daan Klomp and Amer Didic have passed the ball more. He’s also learning to better use his frame, winning 62 of his 112 duels. Although York United still have 11 matches left this season, Abatneh has more than doubled his time on the pitch in 2024 with nearly 1,500 minutes played.
GOAL👑@yorkutdfc have found their equalizer, as Noah Abatneh bundles home his 1st #CanPL goal off a Mo Babouli corner to tie things up at 1-1 vs. Valour
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) May 11, 2024
🔴Watch #CanPL LIVE on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/B7WWTt7bHV
Add in his first professional goal and there's a case to be made that Abatneh should be in contention for the CPL’s U-21 Player of the Year.
Pushing for silverware
But Abatneh isn’t focused on individual awards.
Since Mora took over the squad, York United have climbed the ranks to be legitimate contenders for both the CPL Shield and North Star Cup. On Sunday, they beat Valour FC to move into first place above Atlético Ottawa with 31 points.
Speaking about his side under their new head coach, Abatneh said Mora has transformed the dressing room and what they think they can achieve. Important victories against the likes of Atlético Ottawa (4-1) and Cavalry FC (2-1) in recent weeks are proof of their quality.
“It’s changed the mindset of this team,” Abatneh said of Mora’s hiring.
“When he came in, it transformed the way that we see ourselves. Now that he’s come, it’s a serious thing: we could really win the league, get higher up, potentially win the playoffs. He’s just brought an energy to the group and everyone feels good, everyone feels positive and it’s obviously showing on the pitch.”
Abatneh has also received recognition in recent weeks, being named to the Gatorade Team of the Week on Monday for his steady and composed performance against Valour. He stymied multiple transitional plays from Valour, made two interceptions, won three of his five duels and completed 54 of 63 passes. All in all, it’s the type of performance Abatneh is producing more and more regularly as York United push to keep ahead of their opposition.
With 11 matches left — and only four points separating first from fourth — Abatneh and his teammates know they are in for an exciting finish.
“We’re pushing for that first place and to win playoffs. We want to win everything,” he said.
And we know Abatneh is goal-oriented; winning with York United is only the start of what he’s working for, be it playing in Europe or perhaps, one day, representing Canada at a World Cup.
“Hopefully that’s achievable,” he said. “It’s a lot of goals, man.”
