Fury FC Claim Top Spot in the NASL
Published on July 22, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (July 22, 2015) - It was a monumental outing for Ottawa Fury FC Wednesday night at TD Place as the club moved into first place in the NASL Fall Season standings. It marks the first time in club history that Ottawa sits in a post-season position. Carl Haworth's first goal of the season and Richie Ryan's penalty kick conversion gave Fury FC the 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Silverbacks extending the club's unbeaten streak to nine games (4W-5D-0L).
"It is not about being first, it is about being so competitive and respected in the league. We are a team that gained the respect of the league today," said Ottawa Fury FC Head Coach Marc Dos Santos.
The confident Ottawa Fury FC put their eight-game unbeaten streak on the line against the Atlanta Silverbacks with an opportunity to take sole possession of first place the NASL Fall Season standings with a victory.
Looking to continue their dominant offensive ways, Fury FC had a great opportunity early when Fury FC forward Carl Haworth was sent in alone on Silverbacks keeper Steward Ceus, but the 6-foot-6 goalkeeper turned his chip shot aside. Fury FC forward Tom Heinemann, who scored a goal in each of his last three games, was looking to add another in the 16th minute, sending a powerful left-footed shot towards the net, but his shot missed wide.
The best attempt of the half for Ottawa came in the 37th minute when forward Oliver stepped by a Silverbacks defender in the Atlanta box and sent a right-footed shot on goal from about 15 yards out, but Ceus was again their to deny Ottawa the opening goal. Ottawa kept the Silverbacks on their heels and held possession for the majority of the first half, but the match remained scoreless at the half.
Ottawa would finally break down the Atlanta defence in the 56th minute as Haworth showed tremendous patience to recover a loose ball in the Atlanta box, stepped across an Atlanta defender before sending a left-footed blast into the top of the goal sending TD Place into a frenzy.
In the 62nd minute, Mauro Eustaquio was ruled to have knocked Silverbacks midfielder Paul Black down in the box and the official awarded Atlanta a penalty kick. Silverbacks midfielder Junior Burgos subsequently stepped up and sent the ball into the bottom corner to tie the contest.
In the 73rd minute, things would get fortuitous for Ottawa as the Silverbacks were called for a handball in their own box. Cue captain Richie Ryan, who made no mistake sending the ball into the net to restore the lead. This was the third goal in two matches for the Irish skipper and the first penalty kick goal by Ryan in a Fury FC kit.
Ottawa tried to put the game away in the 80th minute with a great attempt by midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic off a crafty pass from Haworth, but Ceus would make another great save.
In the end, Ottawa's offensive persistency throughout the contest was enough for the club to collect all three points and move to the top of the Fall Standings. Ottawa's unbeaten streak also moves to nine games in the process.
The league-leading Ottawa Fury FC close their homestand on Sunday afternoon at 3pm against the Carolina RailHawks.
North American Soccer League Stories from July 22, 2015
- Fury FC Claim Top Spot in the NASL - Ottawa Fury FC
- Silverbacks Canadian Comeback Falls Short - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Castrillón Named to NASL Team of the Week - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Ryan and Alves Named to NASL Team of the Week - Ottawa Fury FC
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