York United are the new league leaders in the Canadian Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Valour FC in Winnipeg on Sunday night.
The visitors were made to wait during a thrilling second half, but finally found a breakthrough in the 77th minute as substitute Austin Ricci scored his fourth of the season.
Both sides traded chances during the exciting early stages of the match. York United’s Mo Babouli, in particular, looked dangerous, with three shot attempts in the first 11 minutes.
York’s goalkeeper Thomas Vincensini, meanwhile, did incredibly well to cut out multiple Valour opportunities before they became too dangerous — coming out of his net to make key interceptions.
Babouli had another opportunity in the 38th minute on a free kick from just inside the D at the top of the box, but it was blocked well by the Valour wall.
In the 40th minute, Diogo Ressurreição nearly pulled off the spectacular as he looked to beat Vincensini, who was out of his net, from his own half. His attempt drifted just wide of the left post of the open net. That was as close as either side came, as they went into the half tied 0-0.
The Nine Stripes stayed on the front foot to begin the second half. A lovely bit of movement saw Juan Córdova have a great opportunity from just inside the box in the 50th minute. Jonathan Viscosi, however, dove across to make a lovely stop.
Valour went the other way moments later, however, and a lovely switch from Ressurreição played Jordan Faria into the box. The ball fell to Shaan Hundal, who was brought down by Vincensini — winning a penalty.
The York keeper, however, spared his blushes with an outstanding save on the ensuing spot kick, stopping Hundal who had stepped up to take the penalty.
In the 57th minute, Valour came incredibly close again, as this time Hundal hit the crossbar on an acrobatic effort off a corner kick. Hundal had another great chance in the 69th minute on a lovely ball into the box from Roberto Alarcón but sent his header wide.
The Nine Stripes, however, finally found their moment in the 77th minute. A blistering counterattack saw Thomas Vincensini play Mo Babouli through the middle, who slipped in Brian Wright. The CPL Golden Boot leader unselfishly squared to substitute Austin Ricci, who smashed the ball into the back of the net against his former side to put York up 1-0.
In the 81st minute, Vincensini played hero again, with an acrobatic stop on Abdul Binate. Valour had one final chance through Ressurreição in stoppage time, but his curling effort went over the net.
The loss breaks a three-match unbeaten streak for Valour FC, but maintains a six-match unbeaten run for the visiting York United, who are now two points above second-place Atlético Ottawa to stand atop the Canadian Premier League.
BOX SCORE
Lineups
Valour FC: Viscosi; Antonoglou, Facchineri, Mourdoukoutas, Alarcón (Kwemi 88′); Ressurreição, Campbell, Mlah (Ohin 59′), Faria (Verhoeven 75′); Hundal, Swibel (Binate 59′)
York United: Vincensini; Abatneh, Sturing, León; Ferrari (Ricci 65′), Córdova, Adekugbe, Martínez, Babouli, Guzmán (Botello 88′); Wright (Esprit 88′)
Goals
77′ — Austin Ricci (York United)
Discipline
51′ — Yellow: Thomas Vincensini (York United)
62′ — Yellow: Dante Campbell (Valour FC)
89′ — Yellow: Loïc Kwemi (Valour FC)
90+6′ — Yellow: Mo Babouli (York United)
90+6′ — Yellow: Josué Martínez (York United)