Match Preview: Fury FC Look to Grow First Place Lead against Struggling Rowdies
August 28, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (August 28, 2015) - Saturday night's match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies marks the midway point of the NASL Fall Season and if the post-season were to begin today, both sides would find themselves challenging for the Soccer Bowl.
Despite the promise of reaching the post-season, both clubs find themselves going in opposition directions. Ottawa have just one loss in their last 14 matches (7W-6D-1L) while the Rowdies have just one win in their last eight games (1W-1D-6L) but remain in the post-season picture thanks to their impressive spring campaign.
Regardless of the differences in the recent form of both squads, head coach Marc Dos Santos knows this will be another battle against a strong opponent.
"We know this is a big game for the Club. Both teams are in the top four and both are fighting for a post-season position. Tampa has a lot of qualities and this game will require a lot of concentration from us."
Playing their second game in less than 72 hours, Dos Santos highlights the value of the 12th man in helping his side get this result. "It is important that we feed off our fans and the support we get when playing at TD Place."
That crowd support has proven very beneficial for the club this season. Boasting a 6W-3D-2L record at TD Place, Fury FC will look to close out this three-game homestand taking three points as seven of their final ten games come on the road.
One recipe that has proven successful for Fury FC this season is scoring the first goal. Ottawa is unbeaten when tallying first - an impressive 8W-1D-0L - and when carrying a lead or a draw into halftime, they have yet to lose. Coming against a Rowdies squad that is just one game removed from firing their head coach along with the General Manager coupled with their recent struggles, the first goal could prove to be the key ingredient in sending Ottawa to victory.
"The point against the Cosmos was an important one for us," said striker Tom Heinemann. "I don't think we're primarily concerned with Tampa, rather what we're doing. We can only control what we do and we want to win the three points here and hope and continue our push towards the post-season."
While scoring is a must for Ottawa to claim points over Tampa Bay, their defence continues to shine. Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser picked up his league-leading ninth shutout of the season in their scoreless draw midweek against the Cosmos and owns an NASL-best goals against average of 0.84. If defence wins championships, Ottawa is in good form with the play of Peiser and the back line in front of him that has remained the same for the last 14 straight matches.
Midfielders Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Julian De Guzman are match day decisions. Forward Andrew Wiedeman is expected to return next Saturday against the San Antonio Scorpions.
Fury FC hit the road next weekend with a date against the San Antonio Scorpions in the Lone Star State. Four of Ottawa's next five games come on the road with their lone home match in September coming Sept. 12 against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Tickets to this and all remaining Fall Season matches are available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Marie-Soliel Beaudoin
Assistants: Lyes Arfa and Andre Pickler
Fourth Official: Francis Latulippe
• Discuss this story on the North American Soccer League message board...
North American Soccer League Stories from August 28, 2015
- Match Notes: San Antonio Scorpions at Jacksonville Armada: August 29, 2015 - San Antonio Scorpions
- Eddies Make Final Visit to Atlanta in 2015 - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Match Preview: RailHawks Travel to New York for Cosmos Rematch - North Carolina FC
- RailHawks Sign Experienced Midfielder Gabriel Da Silva - North Carolina FC
- Match Preview: Fury FC Look to Grow First Place Lead against Struggling Rowdies - Ottawa Fury FC
- Carolina Visits New York Looking to End Cosmos' Home Unbeaten Streak in Week 9 - NASL
- Strikers Issue Statement Regarding Potential Storms, Saturday's Match - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- FC Edmonton Visits Atlanta for Saturday Skirmish - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Kaiswatum, Shome, Shores Named to Canadian Roster for Upcoming U-20 Camp - FC Edmonton
- Armada Return Home for Rematch with San Antonio on Military Appreciation Night - Jacksonville Armada FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
