May 30, 2018 USL Toronto FC II--Ottawa Fury vs Toronto FC II review (from ottawafuryfc.com)

    
Fury FC maintain streaks in home win versus TFC II
By Ottawa Fury FC, 05/30/18, 10:30PM EDT 

The unbeaten run and the shutout streak are still intact for Ottawa Fury FC, thanks to a 3-0 victory 
over Toronto FC II in front of 3,219 boisterous supporters at TD Place Wednesday night. 
Steevan Dos Santos netted a brace, while Nana Attakora headed home a corner to give Ottawa 
all three points.
 
It was another ideal start to a match for Fury FC. Eddie Edward sent an enticing ball forward 
into the box. TFC II goalkeeper Drew Shepherd took out Kevin Oliveira on his way through, drawing 
a penalty for Ottawa. Both Oliveira and Shepherd were left bloodied, with Shepherd having 
to leave the game on a stretcher.
 
After a delay, Steevan Dos Santos stepped up to take the penalty. Against a fresh goalkeeper 
in Gianluca Catalano, Dos Santos slotted the ball into the left side of the net. The goal would 
stand as his second, making the front man the only Fury FC player with numerous markers on the year.
 
In the 28th minute it was determined that Oliveira, despite his best efforts, couldn’t continue. 
The 20-year-old Gabriel Balbinotti was brought in to replace Oliveira in the midfield. With the 
introduction of the Montreal, QC native, Fury FC had nine Canadian players on the field. At that time, 
18 of the 22 players on the pitch between the two clubs were Canadian.
 
In the lengthy added time, Onua Obasi was able to draw a free kick just outside the box after a couple 
of nice skill moves. Carl Haworth chipped the ball in, however, Dos Santos’s headed attempt was straight 
at Catalano. TFC II countered quickly, but Nana Attakora was able to break up the attack. The first 
half ended with Ottawa up by one.
 
Fury FC had a great start to the second 45. Ottawa was able to draw three straight corner kicks, 
and third time was a charm as Attakora rose above his marker and put a pinpoint Haworth delivery 
into the back of the net. It was Attakora’s first goal for the club, and his first goal period since 
May 8, 2016 (3,492 minutes played).
 
After the second Fury FC goal, TFC II started to show some pushback. A lengthy passing sequence led 
to Matthew Srbely having an open look at the top of the box. The Ottawa backline was thankful that 
Srbely scuffed his shot and sent it high out of play.
 
Maxime Crépeau literally saved Ottawa’s shutout streak midway through the second half. A ball was 
able to slice the Fury defense apart, with Shaan Hundal getting on the end of it. His touch was 
a bit heavy, allowing for Crépeau to slide in and intervene. Fury FC’s shutout streak is now 
at an impressive 553 minutes. The franchise record is 648 minutes, which means Ottawa still have 
a game and a bit to go before being able to break that record, which was set in 2015.
 
Dos Santos put the cherry on top for Ottawa in the final quarter hour with a fantastic individual effort. 
He took advantage of a thin Toronto backline thanks to a brilliant first touch around his defender 
and placed it into the net. If for some his leaping celebration left much to be desired, it was clear 
the striker couldn’t contain his enthusiasm with scoring a brace. 
 
Fury FC will look to continue their now six-game unbeaten run when they face Charlotte Independence 
on Saturday, June 2 at TD Place (KO 7:00 pm). Ottawa will be looking to get some revenge on Charlotte 
after they handed Fury FC a 4-1 season opening defeat. Ottawa will then have a week off before hitting 
the road to face North Carolina FC on Wednesday, June 13 (KO 7:00 pm).

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Head Coach Nikola Popovic
“I think we should be proud of our players and how they fought today. We have to remember we have eight 
Canadian players in the starting eleven. This is something that makes Ottawa and Canadian football proud.”
 
On the progress made this season… “It is now six games without conceding a goal with a Canadian product, 
which is very important for us. From where we were seven months ago to where we are now, we are 
in good shape. We are moving towards our goals, but we are still far. This team can play much better.”

Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau
“The boys are confident and we are on a good run right now. We are trusting ourselves with the system 
that the coach puts on the tactics board and managing the good moments and the bad moments during the game. 
Saturday will be a tough game, but we want to keep going and our objective is three points.”

MATCH REPORT
Full stats report on USL Match Centre or download the Opta Stats Report

Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): 
Crépeau; 
Obasi, Meilleur-Giguère, Attakora, Edward; 
Dixon, Mannella, Oliveira (28' Balbinotti – 72' Luboyera); 
Reid (67' Taylor), Dos Santos, Haworth ©

Toronto FC II (4-2-3-1): 
Shepherd (16’ Catalano); 
Onkony, Romeo, Boskovic, Petrasso; 
Campbell (52’ Campbell), Srbely (70’ Srbely); 
Faria, Uccello ©, Waja; Johnson

Scoring Summary
16' – Dos Santos
48' – Attakora
79' – Dos Santos

Caution Summary
59’ – Romeo
80’ – Boskovic

Attendance
3,219

Next Match: Saturday, June 2 v Charlotte Independence – 7:00 p.m. – TD Place 

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