September 26, 2018 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs Ottawa Fury FC game review (from OttawaFuryFC.com)
Fury FC collect important three points with no-nonsense 1-0 win By Ottawa Fury FC, 09/26/18, 9:00PM EDT OTTAWA - For a third and final time this season, Ottawa Fury FC headed down the 401 for the Ontario derby at Lamport Stadium as they faced Toronto FC II. A disciplined and organized performance from the Ottawa lads secured three valuable points for Fury FC as they closed the night with a 1-0 win. With Fury FC defender Nana Attakora and midfielder Kevin Oliveira suspended for the remaining three regular season games, Head Coach Nikola Popovic slotted the seasoned centre-back David Edgar in to ensure a solid last defensive line, and would look to the pace of forward Adonijah Reid and the resilience of midfielder Chris Mannella, both Toronto natives, to spark the Ottawa offensive strike. With eight Canadians getting the start again on Wednesday night, the Project was showing no sign of slowing down with the USL playoffs on the horizon. Fury FC opened the match on the front foot, earning themselves a corner kick in the 4th minute and an in-swinging Portilla kick almost got past the keeper, only for play to be whistled dead. The Fury FC counter-attack almost got Ottawa the lead in the 10th minute as a developing play on the right wing saw a beautiful cross from Haworth towards the far post where Reid and Taylor were waiting. Neither were able to get a shot off on that occasion but Fury FC were setting the tone early on. Ottawa came close once more a few minutes later as Portilla’s free-kick from the left corner of the area found the head of Meilleur-Giguère diving towards goal, but couldn’t angle it properly. Fury FC would get a couple more half shots in the following minutes, definitely putting pressure on Toronto. Portilla played another great ball in the box on a free kick in the 28th minute, but the left-footed strike was headed over the bar by Dos Santos. Two minutes later Reid took a ball left behind by the Toronto defenders and his quick feet would earn Fury FC a penalty kick. Dos Santos would convert, and give Ottawa a 1-0 lead after 30 minutes played, a lead that would hold going into the dressing room at halftime. Ottawa started the second half in similar fashion. After assembling a couple corner kicks, Fury FC got a decent chance on crafty dribbling and shot from Reid in the 51st minute, but the bouncing shot was collected by Patterson-Sewell. On the rare occasions Toronto FC II made their way in the last third, Fury FC’s defenders, led by the stellar play of their centre-backs David Edgar and Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, made quick work of any potential threat, sending their opponent away without any damage caused. Ottawa nearly doubled their lead when Luboyera, who had just stepped on the field, broke through the line, and his shot bounced to Dos Santos who put it in the net. The goal was called back for offside on the initial through-ball. Eddie Edward, who had been a workhorse once more on the left flank, got a promising header on goal in the 80th off a cross by Portilla, but his attempt was saved by the TFCII keeper. On the night, Ottawa really established consistent pressure off their set plays in Toronto’s zone. With 90 minutes in the books, Ottawa Fury FC’s solid blue-collar performance grossed them a crucial, hard-fought 1-0 win, providing them with the points they were looking for. Fury FC will now be back home on Sunday looking to slide into USL playoffs with positive momentum. Of note, with his 14th clean sheet of the season, Maxime Crépeau sets a new USL record for the most shutouts in a single season (download a video montage of Crépeau's best saves of the season). The previous record had been established by Brandon Miller with the Rochester Rhinos in 2015. In the process, Crépeau also ties the club-record established by Romuald Peiser in 2015 (NASL). Crépeau and Fury FC will have the opportunity to add to the new record in their last two USL games of the season, and secure a spot in the playoffs, starting this Sunday against Bethlehem Steel FC (at TD Place, 1 p.m.). POST-GAME COMMENTS Head Coach Nikola Popovic On the team’s performance… “In the first half, we were very composed, very focused. The players once more showedvery good organisation, not only offensively but defensively. I think this is the reason why we broke the record in USL for clean sheets and that Max [Crépeau] didn’t have to make one save. So we have to congratulate all eleven players on how they defended. It’s fantastic. I think we were always very dangerous. We were able to take advantage of our first goal and created more chances. At the end, the most important thing is the three points.” On the momentum building… “It’s very important, but it’s more important to win. The momentum is nothing if you don’t bring the three points home. The moment you get the three points, now the next game is the most important one. And we have to go like this until the end of the season.” On Crépeau’s growth over the season… “It’s wonderful. I’ve always said that he is the future of the Canadian national team and he does make me proud. I think the way the team defends, we also have to start looking at other players for the national team because the Canadians are performing in this very difficult league is fantastic and I think everybody can watch and witness this. These players are showing that they have a lot of quality and that they just need the opportunity." MATCH REPORT Full stats report on USL Match Centre or download the Opta Stats Report (full) Watch Match Highlights Download Match Photos (Credit: Toronto FC II) Starting XI Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Crépeau; Edward, Meilleur-Giguère, Edgar, Haworth ©; Gagnon-Laparé (81’ Dixon), Portilla, Mannella; Reid, Dos Santos (90+1’ Sanon), Taylor (70’ Luboyera) Toronto FC II (4-2-3-1): Patterson-Sewell; Mohammed (73’ Okello Ayo), Boskovic, Bjornethun, Kübel (73’ Hundal); Campbell, Fraser; Telfer, Bakero, Endoh; Akinola (84’ Srbely) Scoring Summary 32’ OTT – Dos Santos (PK) Caution Summary 16’ TOR – Campbell 16’ OTT – Mannella 19’ OTT – Taylor 31’ OTT – Reid 55’ TOR – Mohammed 90+3’ OTT – Sanon Expulsion Summary - none - Attendance 107
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