Atlético Ottawa will look to continue their unbeaten run in the 2025 CPL

Atlético Ottawa will look to continue their unbeaten run in the 2025 CPL regular season as they face a tough test against a reinvigorated York United FC side at York Lions Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

York comes into this match off the back of a strong 3-1 victory over Pacific FC, where they showed great resilience to come back from a one-goal deficit at halftime. The Nine Stripes have won four of their last five home games against Ottawa, including a 2-0 victory in their most recent league meeting in August 2024. However, the recent Canadian Championship encounter saw a different story, with Atlético taking a 2-1 lead into the second leg at TD Place.

Ottawa has been the team to beat so far this season, with an impressive 7-3-1 record, thanks in large part to their prolific attack which has scoredced 28 goals in their first 11 games. They boast the league's leading scorer in Malcolm Shaw, who has found the net seven times this year. However, their last match, a 3-0 victory over Valour FC, saw them concede their first home goal of the season, which could be a slight concern ahead of a trip to a ground where they have struggled in the past.

York, meanwhile, have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, with their win over Pacific marking their second victory in a row. The addition of players like Jordan Wilson and the potential return of captain Roger Thompson from injury will bolster their defensive capabilities, which could be crucial against an Atlético side that thrives on attacking flair.

With both teams set to meet again in the Canadian Championship in a few weeks, this match will not only serve as an important league encounter but also as a potential psychological advantage for the second leg of their quarter-final tie.

Here are three key storylines to keep an eye on:

1. The Midfield Battle: With Adekugbe and Yeates out for York, the onus falls on Kibato and possibly Bitar to control the midfield against an Atlético side that has plenty of quality in the middle of the park. Winning the battle in the center of the pitch could be the key to dictating the flow of the game and preventing the visitors from creating too many chances.
2. Atlético's Road Form: Despite their overall dominance in the league, Atlético have had a mixed bag of results away from home this season. They will need to be at their best to claim a victory on the road, especially against a York side that is finding form at the right time.
3. The Striker's Duel: Both teams have dangerous forwards capable of changing the game. For York, it's the likes of Osvaldo Alvarenga and Oliver Plummer, while Atlético can call upon the likes of Malcolm Shaw and Carl Haworth. The battle between these two teams' attacking lines could be the difference-maker in this one.

Both sides have plenty to play for, with York looking to cement their place in the playoff spots and Atlético aiming to extend their lead at the top of the table. This game promises to be a thrilling affair with no shortage of drama and passion, as is often the case when these two Ontario rivals clash.