Alves' Defensive Dominance Earns NASL Team of the Week Honours
Published on June 10, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON - It has been quite some time since Ottawa Fury FC have surrendered a goal. To be specific it has been 436 minutes. Four straight shutouts with no goals conceded in over a month. Perhaps this past Sunday's clean sheet was the most deserved as the team faced extreme heat in Jacksonville and despite the home side owning a lions share of the possession and scoring chances, the Armada were unable to break the goose-egg and one of the key players behind that was Rafael Alves.
Marcos Flores and Jemal Johnson threatened the Ottawa goal all afternoon, but the Brazilian defender was a rock in the middle of Ottawa's back line blocking shots, making timely slide tackles, clearing crosses and always making his presence known. After conceding seven goals in their opening four games and another six in their two Amway Canadian Championship matches, Ottawa has surrendered just a single goal since May 1 and Alves' leadership and experience is a big reason for the turnaround. Alves and his central defensive partner Colin Falvey made countless shot-blocks in the club's fifth shutout of the season on Sunday.
NASL Team of the Week - Week 10:
GK - Daryl Sattler (San Antonio Scorpions)
D - Erick Norales (Indy Eleven)
D - Tamika Mkandiwire (Tampa Bay Rowdies)
D - Rafael Alves (Ottawa Fury FC)
M - Tiyi Shipalane (Carolina RailHawks)
M - Pascal Millien (Jacksonville Armada FC)
M - Brian Shriver (Tampa Bay Rowdies)
M - Victor Pineda (Indy Eleven)
F - Omar Cummings (San Antonio Scorpions)
F - Darwin Espinal (Tampa Bay Rowdies)
F - J.C. Banks (Minnesota United FC)
Fury FC close out the NASL Spring Season Saturday night in San Antonio against the Scorpions. Tickets to the Fall Season opener July 5 and all Fall Season matches are available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from June 10, 2015
- De Guzman Named to Canada MNT Provisional Squad for 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup - Ottawa Fury FC
- FC Edmonton Defender Roberts Named to Canadian Gold Cup Provisional Roster - FC Edmonton
- | Millien Earns NASL Team of the Week Honor - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Marcos Senna to Retire at End of Season - New York Cosmos
- Alves' Defensive Dominance Earns NASL Team of the Week Honours - Ottawa Fury 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.
