Attakora Makes USL Team of the Week
May 29, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Building on another strong team performance against Bethlehem Steel FC on the weekend, Ottawa Fury FC has seen one of their own selected on the USL Team of the Week in week 11. Defender Nana Attakora, who was suiting up for his first Fury FC match this season, earned a spot on this week's selection.
A highly touted signing in the off-season, fans had to wait before they could find out what the North York, Ontario native was all about. Attakora did not disappoint in his first game of the season, going for a full 90-minute effort, registering eight clearances, two blocks, and winning 10 out of 10 duels. But maybe the moment that won him a spot on with the stars this week was the perfectly-timed sliding challenge that weighted heavy in the Ottawa side maintaining a fifth consecutive clean sheet.
Nana Attakora was one of the 17 Canadians added to the Fury FC roster for the 2018 season. The 6-foot-1 central defender trained with English Premier League club Everton in 2007 before being picked up by MLS side Toronto FC, where he played for four seasons, starting with the MLS reserve Division and going on to become a mainstay of the Toronto defence. It was during this time that he played alongside Fury General Manager Julian de Guzman for three seasons. He had also spent time with the San Jose Eartquakes, D.C. United in MLS before moving to NASL, where he had last played with 2017 Soccer Bowl Champions San Francisco Deltas.
Fury FC will play twice this week, both matches under the lights at TD Place, first this Wednesday, May 30th against Ontario rivals Toronto FC II, then on Saturday evening, June 2nd, against Charlotte Independence. Tickets for Fury FC matches are available at OttawaFuryFC.com, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
USL Team of the Week
GK - Romuald Peiser, Penn FC: Peiser recorded a five-save shutout and also made two punched clearances, as Penn earned a 0-0 draw in the Keystone Derby Cup clash with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
D - Josh Phillips, Portland Timbers 2: Phillips won all four duels, completed 46 of 50 passes and recorded a team-high seven clearances, as T2 took a 1-0 victory against Real Monarchs SLC.
D - Pat McMahon, Louisville City FC: McMahon was strong throughout as he won 11 of 15 duels overall and recorded two tackles and two interceptions in Louisville's 2-0 victory against FC Cincinnati.
D - Nana Attakora, Ottawa Fury FC: Attakora made a goal-saving challenge to keep Fury FC ahead late in the first half and finished the night perfect in 10 duels in a 1-0 win against Bethlehem Steel FC.
M - Cordell Cato, Charlotte Independence: Cato had two goals and one assist, contributing to all three of the Independence's goals in its 3-1 road victory against the Richmond Kickers.
M - Luke Vercollone, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Vercollone notched a pair of goals as the Switchbacks took a 3-0 victory against Saint Louis FC on Saturday night at Weidner Field.
M - Junior Flemmings, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Flemmings scored twice as the Rowdies broke a five-game road losing streak with a victory in Toronto to give Neill Collins his first victory as a Head Coach.
M - Yann Ekra, Charlotte Independence: Ekra had a goal and two assists as he combined well throughout the Independence's 3-1 victory against the Richmond Kickers with Cordell Cato.
F - Mo Thiaw, Reno 1868 FC: Thiaw had the game-winning goal and an assist as Reno earned a 2-1 victory against San Antonio FC at Greater Nevada Field on Saturday night.
F - Brian White, New York Red Bulls II: White began the Red Bulls II's comeback against Indy Eleven, completed 24 of 25 passes and created four scoring chances as New York claimed a 4-1 victory against its visitors.
F - Ethan Zubak, LA Galaxy II: Zubak recorded the first four-goal game of the season in Los Dos' 7-2 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC no Saturday night.
Bench: Dan Lynd (PGH), Amer Didic (SPR), Devon Williams (LOU), Marcel Schafer (TBR), Thomas Enevoldsen (OC), Daniel Rios (NC), Ariel Lassiter (LA)
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 29, 2018
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- Sacramento Republic FC Statement on FC Cincinnati - Sacramento Republic FC
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- USL's Week Ahead - May 30-June 2 - USL
- Luke Vercollone Earns Second USL Team of the Week Honors - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Charleston Battery, Indy Eleven Meet for First Time at Lucas Oil Stadium - Charleston Battery
- Attakora Makes USL Team of the Week - Ottawa Fury FC
- LA's Zubak Voted USL Player of the Week - USL
- Preview: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Nashville SC - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC V Toronto FC II - Ottawa Fury FC
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