York United FC Academy to debut in League1 Ontario Championship Division next year

By The Canadian Press on November 14, 2024.

York United FC goalkeeper Thomas Vincensini is shown in action against Pacific FC player Reon Moore, right, in Canadian Premier League playoff action at York Lions Stadium in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. York United FC will field an under-20 team in League1 Ontario next year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-York United FC-Denys Rudenko *MANDATORY CREDIT*

TORONTO – York United FC will field an under-20 team in League1 Ontario next year.

The Canadian Premier League team announced Thursday it has acquired a licence to compete in the League1 Ontario men’s Championship Division, the second tier of the semi-pro league which is also home to the Toronto FC academy side.

Starting next season, York United FC Academy will feature amateur under-20 players plus a maximum of three domestic under-23 players at any one time. The new team will also be allowed to bring in a maximum of three players from the CPL club on short-term loans.

Both teams will play their play home games at York Lions Stadium.

York says it has signed more than over 30 players with League1 Ontario experience over the last six years.

Game Plan Sports Group, a consortium led by Mexican brothers Ricardo, Eduardo and Miguel Pasquel, bought York in November 2023.

“It’s coming up on exactly one year since we formally took control of the club and publicly discussed our objectives and goals for the first time,” York CEO Eduardo Pasquel said in a statement. “We made it clear that the biggest priority for us was investing in Canadian talent. That wasn’t just a baseless statement.

“Conversations had actually begun with League1 prior to our official unveiling as owners so it’s wonderful to finally see this project come to fruition.”

League1 Ontario is owned and managed by Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) which shares the same ownership as the Canadian Premier League.

Sigma FC serves as Forge FC’s affiliate in the top-tier League1 Ontario Premier Division. Calgary’s Cavalry FC’s under-21 side plays in League1 Alberta.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024