Championship Semifinal Pits League's Best Offence against League's Best Defence
November 6, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (November 6, 2015) - What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Sunday's North American Soccer League Championship Semifinal is expected to answer that paradox when the league's best offence faces the league's best defence with a spot in the Championship Final up for grabs.
Very little separates Ottawa and Minnesota as evidence in their six lifetime meetings suggests with each match decided by a goal or less. One thing seems certain - Sunday will be a battle. And a battle that is set to gain rivalry status.
"This is the most important game of the Club's short history. We are looking forward to it!" said head coach Marc Dos Santos who has led the second year club to their first-ever postseason and doing so as Fall Season Champions.
"Both teams have played a very solid season, so it should be a very good battle. In games like these every little detail matters where only one team qualifies for the finals. We need to be prepared to face any kind of adversity."
Ottawa's accomplishments this season, that surprised people at first after a 9th place finish in the Spring Season, grew quick and fast in the Fall Season as the team's established defence play gave birth to a spark in offence as the team's success grew to dominance and respect en route to a Fall Season Championship.
Minnesota wasn't far behind Fury FC as they too came close to chasing down the NASL's unbeaten streak record that was halted at 11-matches. The Loons boast a squad that is rich with experience and offensive talents strewn throughout the line-up.
2014 NASL Golden Boot winner Christian Ramirez once again leads the Minnesota attack with 12 goals and 6 assists, but the Loons have six players with at least four or more goals and a back line that has contributed 9 goals and 9 assists. Offence at every turn is what drives the success of veteran head coach Manny Lagos' side who fell in last year's Championship Semifinal on penalty kicks against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
For Fury FC the focus is on the little details as Dos Santos suggests. The plan however, is the same. Keep doing what they've been doing for the past 25 matches where they have lost just the once. 14 wins, 10 draws and 1 loss. A dominant and improbable run see's Fury riding yet another 12-match unbeaten streak.
Experiencing déjà vu? Ottawa's lone loss in their last 25-matches came on August 15 at TD Place against Minnesota as the Loons ruined the Fury's run at tying the NASL unbeaten streak record with a 2-1 stoppage time win. Fast-forward nearly three months later and Fury look to make it lucky thirteen and continue their dream season by punching their ticket to the Championship Final.
Dos Santos believes the players are in the right frame of mind and they will have a tremendous advantage playing at TD Place.
"The mentality of our guys has been fantastic, everyone knows that we will have the support of our fans and we will do our very best to honour them."
TD Place has been the fortress Dos Santos wanted it to be in 2015 - the club posted a record of 8W-6D-2L at home.
Ask any player in the squad what got them here and it is answered in one word - TEAMWORK. The driving force behind Ottawa's successful season and the key ingredient into the Championship DNA Dos Santos see's in his team.
To the victors of Sunday's epic battle goes a spot in next weekend's Championship Final.
Fans can purchase tickets to the Championship Final, should Ottawa earn the right to host it, at OttawaFuryFC.com where they call also renew or buy Season Tickets for 2016.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Mathieu Bordeau
Assistants: Joe Fletcher and Richard Gamache
Fourth Official: Yusri Rudolf
North American Soccer League Stories from November 6, 2015
- Four Clubs Begin Quest for Soccer Bowl Trophy this Weekend - NASL
- Championship Semifinal Pits League's Best Offence against League's Best Defence - Ottawa Fury FC
- De Guzman Selected to Canadian Men's National Team Squad Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers - Ottawa Fury FC
- New York Cosmos Partner with First Nationwide Title Agency - New York Cosmos
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