Getting to Know: York 9 FC Midfielder Ryan Telfer

Photo courtesy of Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY

 

By Giancarlo Aulino - BarnBurner.ca

 

TORONTO. - York 9 FC will be wrapping up the inaugural CPL season on Saturday afternoon, when they host the HFX Wanderers at York Lions Stadium. The team have experienced their fair share of ups and downs but have provided fans with plenty of memorable moments in their first season together.

 

The Canadian Premier League has provided players with an opportunity to improve their game, showcase their talent, and mature as professional athletes, and York 9 FC midfielder Ryan Telfer is a perfect example of that.

 

Telfer joined me on a special edition of BarnBurner’s “CPL Back of the Net” show a few weeks ago, where we discussed his loan to York 9 FC, playing at York University as a professional, his call-up for Trinidad and Tobago, the success of York Lions alumni in pro leagues, and in what areas he feels the loan spell at York 9 has helped his career.

 

The 25-year-old was loaned to York 9 from MLS club Toronto FC, which was a homecoming of sorts because he was reunited with Carmine Isacco, who coached him during his time on the York U Lions and now serves as York 9 FC’s assistant coach under head coach Jimmy Brennan.

 

It didn’t take very long for Telfer to make an immediate impact as he scored the first ever goal in CPL history in the inaugural match with Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario. Telfer would then become the first CPL player to score a goal against an MLS team in the Voyageurs Cup and the first CPL player to score at the International level, when he scored in his debut match for Trinidad and Tobago.

 

When discussing what it’s like returning to York University as a professional player, Telfer mentioned that it’s nostalgic and that he’s proud to be among the list of York Lions alumni finding success at the pro level:

 

“Mark-Anthony (Kaye), Matt Arnone, Dylan Sacramento…all these guys who have gone on to represent these professional teams and it’s something special to know that you have a handful of players from York University that goes on to represent even on the international level as well and it’s a really special feeling to be a part of that York University family.”

 

While speaking to Joe Peisich and I on “CPL Back of the Net”, Isacco praised Telfer’s work ethic and overcoming the obstacles that were in his way of achieving success:

 

“Ryan and I have been through a lot; Ryan came from the depths of our reserve squad at York University to make a statement and no one helped him throughout the whole process…he worked his butt off just to get to where he got to. He had a lot of naysayers that he had to prove wrong.”

Telfer has scored 8 goals this season and even played a big role when subbing on late for Toronto FC when he was recalled from loan earlier in the Summer. The loan has been significant for Telfer’s career thus far in that he’s been an important player for York 9 and was able to showcase what he capable of on both ends of the pitch.

 

It’ll be interesting to see whether Telfer is able to find a place in Greg Vanney’s squad next season or if the team feel another loan spell at York 9 would be best for his development as a professional.

 

It would be great to see Telfer back on Toronto FC as his style of play would allow Vanney to field a versatile starting-XI as he’s proven to be reliable as a wing-back, midfielder, and striker this season.