RECAP + HIGHLIGHTS: York United vs. Atlético Ottawa | Sept. 14, 2025

A third straight league meeting between Atlético Ottawa and York United ended level, after a thrilling 2-2 draw at York Lions Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The team's traded goals, with Sam Salter scoring a brace for Atleti to take his league-leading tally to 17. York responded through Steffen Yeates and Frank Sturing.

The draw pushed York up into fourth position, one point ahead of the Halifax Wanderers, while Atleti failed to make significant ground on top-of-the-table Forge, as they got into next week's meeting with the Hamilton club two points behind the league leaders.

In the eighth minute, a great bit of direct play through the lines saw Ottawa open the scoring. Ballou Tabla attempted to play the ball into the box, which York defender Frank Sturing cut out, but his deflection took it straight into the path of Salter. The league's Golden Boot leader flicked it past the defender, before coolly slotting home a lovely finish.

The hosts, however, quickly replied. Just two minutes later, a clever one-two between Steffen Yeates and Max Ferrari resulted in the latter being played into the box and sliding the ball past Ingham to equalize at 1-1.

Both teams had some decent chances to take the lead thereafter, especially with York through Shaan Hundal. Atleti, meanwhile, controlled the majority of the ball but struggled to turn that into clear chances, while the Nine Stripes looked the more dangerous on the occasions when they did go forward.

Atleti were forced to make an early change in the 40th minute, when Brett Levis went off injured, replaced by Noah Abatneh.

A moment after coming into the match, Abatneh was tested as Hundal got in behind him in transition, but sent his strike well over the net on what was a solid opportunity.

York had an outstanding chance just before the half, as a lovely pass from Leonel López found Hundal alone through the middle. He tried to wait out Nate Ingham, but instead his shot was saved well by the Atleti goalkeeper. On the rebound, Yeates rounded Ingham, but his attempt was cleared off the line by Kevin Dos Santos.

Somehow, the match remained 1-1 going into half-time. Injuries continued to haunt Ottawa early in the second half, as Aboubacar Sissoko had to come off at half-time and was replaced by Alberto Zapater.

But the visitors quickly regained their lead, as a lovely curling ball from Manny Aparicio found the head of Salter, who guided home his second of the match in the 49th minute. It was a moment that felt against the momentum of the match, but also a sign of how quickly this Atlético Ottawa team can punish an opponent.

Once again, however, the visitors returned the favour shortly thereafter. On the second phase of a corner kick, Adonijah Reid picked out Frank Sturing, who was alone at the back post who calmly placed the ball past Ingham to make it 2-2.

York kept pressing for a winner, and in the 70th minute had a few great looks at goal on some chaos in the box, but Massimo Ferrin was the only player who was able to connect with a shot and sent it well over the net.

They came even closer in the 76th minute, when substitute Julian Altobelli beat multiple defenders in the box but sent his shot ringing off the crossbar.

Momentum switched to the visitors in the final ten minutes, as it was them who buzzed around the York box, looking for a breakthrough.

Seconds into stoppage time, Salter had an outstanding chance to complete the hat-trick as he got in behind but Urtiaga made a brilliant save.

It was the 12th draw in 26 all-time meetings between the two clubs in all competitions, as little has ever separated them.

BOX SCORE

Lineups

York United: Urtiaga; Ferrari, Singh, Sturing, Botello (Ferrazzo 84'); Yeates (Accettola 84'), Kibato; López ; Reid (Altobelli 59'), López (Adekugbe 67'), Ferrin; Hundal (Bitar 67')

Atlético Ottawa : Ingham; Mbomio, Cloutier, Levis (Abatneh 40'); Antinoro (Assi 78'), Sissoko (Zapater 46'), Aparicio, Dos Santos (Coulanges 69') ; Rodríguez, Tabla (Khoury 78'), Salter

Goals

8' -- Sam Salter (Atlético Ottawa)
10' -- Steffen Yeates (York United)
49' -- Sam Salter (Atlético Ottawa)
54' -- Frank Sturing (York United)

Discipline

12' — Yellow: Shaan Hundal (York United)
38' -- Yellow: Brett Levis (Atlético Ottawa)
62' -- Yellow: Orlando Botello (York United)
90+1' -- Yellow: Jean-Aniel Assi (Atlético Ottawa)