Canadian Premier League outfit York9 FC has a lot of firsts to its name: it played in the first-ever CPL game, got the league’s first goal, and even got the league’s first red card, too. Today, the club will add another to the list: the first time an assistant coach has filled in for a head coach from the sidelines.

While announcing tonight’s lineup for the Canadian Championship opening round tie against A.S. Blainville, the club confirmed that first team assistant coach Carmine Isacco will take over managerial duties while head coach and club vice-president Jim Brennan fulfills his UEFA coaching obligations abroad.

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Isacco is a coach who brings a winning mentality with him: during his time with the York University Lions, he collected provincial medials in 10 out of 11 seasons, and led the team to become OAU champions no less than five times. Beyond having coached five York9 players in their varsity days, he’s also the one who convinced Ryan Telfer to come over on a season-long loan from Toronto FC.

With the club prepared to play four games within the next two weeks, Isacco stated that fans will likely see some heavy squad rotation. Tonight’s roster doesn’t ultimately spring too many surprises: the backline once again consists of Springer, Gasparotto, and Gogarty, with a midfield containing Abzi, Porter, Murofushi, Estevez, and Aparicio (who returns after a red card suspension). Gattas and Adjei start up front, with Ingham retaining his spot as number one goalkeeper.

It’ll be an interesting return back to Montreal for Diyaeddine Abzi, who was the only A.S. Blainville player to make the jump up to the Canadian Premier League. He’ll have inside knowledge of the PLSQ squad’s tactics and players, but that means they’ll be familiar with him, too.

If things start off well for York9 FC, it’s possible that fans will see Morey Doner, who captained for League1 Ontario side Aurora FC, make his club debut from the bench. Telfer and Rollocks may see time from the bench as well, provided Isacco feels the club needs to put the pressure on and score. As it’s the first time a Canadian Premier League club has faced PLSQ opposition, the match certainly has an air of mystery to it.

Having put in a great pitch-wide performance in the league’s opener, fans will be hoping that tough midfielder Joseph Di Chiara – who took a rough elbow from Kyle Bekker in the league’s inaugural game – is just being rested for the club’s away trip to Vancouver Isle.

It’s not currently known if Jim Brennan will be available for the club’s Canadian Premier League match against Pacific FC this weekend.

Source: York9 FC (via Instagram)