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Photo Credit: Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography
CPL Playoffs: Penalties Push Atletico Ottawa Over York United
By The nation’s capital hosted an absolute thriller between third-seeded Atletico Ottawa and fourth-seeded York United this afternoon, with a two-two result at the end of extra time seeing penalties needed to decide a playoff match champion for the first time in league history.
Home side Atletico Ottawa would get the job done 5-4 in the subsequent shootout to call curtains on a match that had big highs and lows for both sides, with Ottleti securing a road trip to Hamilton whilst York United’s campaign comes to an end.
Both Carlos Gonzalez and Benjamin Mora – who had a little war of words about the clash – believed their previous starting elevens to be quite capable. Gonzalez used all but one of the same players he did for the final regular season match, whilst Mora’s selection was completely unchanged from the players who best Pacific midweek.
See Also: ‘Ottawa Is Not Special To Me’: Mora Is All Business In CPL Playoff Clash
The first half saw a danger sign flash early for Nine Stripes after an early penalty shout in their box, with Matteo de Brienne going to ground under pressure from Nyal Higgins. Referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin waved away the protests from the red-and-white, with Mo Babouli nearly putting the visitors in front with a freekick that rebounded right back to the forward, who’s follow-up shot spun just wide of the post.
The first half didn’t see much action in the final third as both sides probed cautiously in midfield, with Ottleti pushing hard on the flanks. While perhaps looking the more dangerous side, no final ball would be enough for either side to snatch the advantage in the first half.
The second half was a different story altogether, however, with a corner kick opportunity seeing Ollie Bassett – who finished as a golden boot co-winner last season – audaciously curl in his corner kick. The effort caught Thomas Vincensini off-guard, with the ‘keeper helpless to stop the ball from going over the line. Olimpico goals in playoffs? That’s CPL, alright.
The hosts didn’t ease up pressure, though York United showed their bite had attack when a sneaky ball nearly saw an off-the-bench Max Ferrari get through before Ingham stifled the chance. Benjamin Mora swapped to a back four at that point, making attacking changes in a bid to draw blood from the hosts.
With five minutes left to go, Elijah Adekugbe looked to have equalized, but his effort came after the referee had already blown for an offside play. Centre-back Oswaldo Leon went down under a challenge and had to come off, meaning the Nine Stripes back line shifted to an on-a-yellow Higgins and Adekugbe dropping back as a centre-back.
It was kitchen sink time for York United, but the miracle moment did come from none other than 16-year-old striker Shola Jimoh: in the 94th minute, another scramble in the box saw the fearless youngster reach the ball first, striking a fine rising ball that soared up into the top right corner, netting York United a last-gasp equalizer to force extra time.
After a quick huddle from both sides, extra time (or EGGstra time?) proceeded with the blast of a whistle. The restart quickly proved disastrous for York United, with Elijah Adekugbe and Sam Salter jostling for the ball in the Nine Stripes box. Adekugbe will want the moment back, as rather than clearing the ball to safety his pressure saw Salter go down to draw a penalty.
Up stepped Ruben Del Campo, with the Swiss striker sending Thomas Viscensini the wrong way to put the hosts up 2-1.
In a valiant never-say-die effort, the Nine Stripes responded almost immediately, with Shola Jimoh turning provider to cross the ball into the run of Molham Babouli, who was unmarked and quite capable of finishing the job to level things up.
The hosts nearly went in front not long after when a close-range rocket from Amer Didic rattled the crossbar, with the rebound even bounce off a teammate’s face but not ultimately going into the net despite the proximity of efforts.
With the teams unable to separate from the other over 120 minutes of action, a historic moment in the Canadian Premier League unfolded as Marie-Soleil Beaudoin blasted the whistle: it was time for penalties to decide a victory in postseason play.
First up to task was Juan Cordova, who quickly buried his effort. Amer Didic made amends for his earlier miss with another blast, this time on target. Mo Babouli, however, would see his spot kick saved by former Nine Stripes ‘keeper Nathan Ingham, with Maxime Tissot sending his home in what will be one of his final career moments.
Each side would score their subsequent three spot kicks, but York United’s inability to save any of them would see Atletico Ottawa finish as 5-4 victors in the shootout, earning them a road trip to face the winner of the first-versus-second matchup (later determined to be Forge).
For York United, the nation’s capital proved to be their final destination in a season that saw a new head coach guide them a record points finish and, of course, a first-ever home playoff match and victory. Benjamin Mora’s side have done a wonderful job to get there, though with nearly no players on guaranteed deals for 2025, what YUFC looks like next year remains a big question mark. Even whether Mora remains is a big question mark.
For Atletico Ottawa, Carlos Gonzalez is now just one match removed from getting another chance at a CPL Final, with Ottawa having played host to the occasion back in 2022. In their way stands the club who bested them on that night, Forge, which is a fact that will surely drive great desires from the red-and-white.
Forge will host Atletico Ottawa on Saturday, November 2 at 4:00PM EST, with the 2024 CPL Final coming just one week league in Calgary, Alberta. The final will, in addition to the usual sources, be available on CBC Sports.
Header Image Photo Credit: Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography
