Arnone Poised For York9 FC Departure

Northern Tribune has learned that Canadian defender Matthew Arnone will be parting ways with York9 FC following the expiration of his contract.

The 26-year-old Vaughan-born defender appeared twice for the Nine Stripes at The Island Games, where he was deployed as a defensive midfielder – a position he had frequented for the York Lions under Carmine Isacco.

Last year, Arnone was a starting centre-back for Stephen Hart with the Halifax Wanderers, making 28 appearances and scoring two goals throughout the inaugural Canadian Premier League campaign. His last game for the Wanderers saw him play a full ninety as his side recorded its only league away win of the season against York9 FC.

The six-foot-two defender then signed for the Nine Stripes back in February, and likely would have featured more if not for the condensed season structure forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. York9 FC President Angus McNab made it clear that some roster changes would be afoot after the side missed out on the group stage, so fans shouldn’t expect the defender to be the only departure to come from the side this year.

Prior to signing with the York Region team, Arnone was touted as a potential addition for expansion side Atletico Ottawa. With thirty appearances for CPL sides to his name, it’ll be interesting to see if the 26-year-old is picked up by a third CPL team for the 2021 season.

In the meantime, Arnone’s departure represents the first defensive roster change for the Nine Stripes during the long Canadian offseason. At the moment, the contract lengths of three other York9 FC defenders (Luca Gasparotto, Roger Thompson, and Fugo Segawa) are presently undisclosed.

With news that Cavalry FC is closing on an a high-profile intra-league acquisition of a solid CPL centre midfielder, the club would do well to lock down a contract extension for Joseph Di Chiara, too.

Full-backs Diyaeddine Abzi and Morey Doner signed on for the 2021 season, though Abzi finished his 2020 campaign as an attacking left winger, with Japanese defender Fugo Segawa stepping in as the club’s left full-back for the latter half of The Island Games.

Former TFC Academy youngster Ijah Halley was originally touted as a right-back option behind Doner, but the Island Games saw him deployed as a pacey winger as opposed to a defensive-minded signing. Last year the club had Steven Furlano as right-back depth, but he was let go at the end of the side’s first campaign.

At the present, Matthew Arnone is keeping busy as the head of Mindframe, a business he started which focuses on the mental fitness of youth athletes. Where the 26-year-old could end up next year is anyone’s guess, but as things stand he’s currently set to depart from York9 FC at the conclusion of his contract.