Fury FC Closes out Busy Week with 2-1 Win at Home
May 12, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC hosted moms at TD Place on Sunday for a Mother's Day game as it welcomed North Carolina FC. The sun shone brightly for Fury FC as it put on a splendid performance for all to witness, earning a big 2-1 win against top opposition in NCFC.
Ottawa carried most of the play early in the game and took full control of the match shortly before halftime when Mour Samb timed a perfect run to collect the long ball sent in the box by Barnathan, sending a neat ball in the left corner and his side in the locker rooms with the lead. North Carolina's midfielder Steven Miller would level up the score in the 66th minute but Fury FC battled back to regain the lead when Wal Fall pushed a poised ball forward for Kevin Oliveira, who needed only one touch before sending it in the net. Ottawa would hold on to the lead and close out its Mother's Day celebration with the 2-1 win.
STORYLINES
Ottawa executed a near-perfect game plan in the first half, maintaining 63% of possession and completing 290 passes with an average accuracy of 83%. They also created 8 of their 10 shots in the first 45 minutes.
Ottawa's midfield controlled much of the game again today, with Charlie Ward maintaining a passing accuracy of 93% for 69 passes, Wal Fall winning 12 of his 15 duels, and Chris Mannella completing 32 of his 48 passes in the opponent's half with a 94% passing accuracy rate.
Fury FC is undefeated in its last 4 home matches at TD Place as it now heads out on the road for its next 2 USL Championship games.
Fury FC secured 4 points at home this week with a 1-1 draw against New York and a 2-1 win over North Carolina, both top 5 clubs in the USL Championship Eastern Conference heading into Week 10.
Ottawa now sits in 9th position with 14 points, only six points removed from the top spot in the conference with at least one game in hand on its top 10 competitors.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"We have to congratulate and show our appreciation to our players. After only three days of rest, they came here, gave everything and they performed a fantastic game. It was another fantastic performance."
"In the first half, I think we were almost perfect. We performed completely the plan we established for this game, creating shots, maintaining good possession of the ball. In the second half, we felt a bit the three days that we had (in-between games). The game became more of transition, which we don't want, however, we were able to stabilize the game in the last portion and maintain our advantage."
Forward Mour Samb
"It was an important match. Given last Wednesday's result against (New York), we really wanted to finish on a win. And we did it, with commitment, aggression and a good mind. It's good to take the three points."
MATCH REPORT
Download match photos (credit: Freestyle Photography / Steve Kinsgman)
Watch match highlights | Review match statistics
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Irving; Gagnon-Laparé, Meilleur-Giguère, Barnathan (77' Attakora), Haworth; Fall, Ward, Mannella (72' Obasi); Oliveira (90' Daniels), Samb, François
North Carolina FC (4-1-4-1): MacLeod; Duvernay, Brotherton, Comsia, Taylor; Igbekoyl (68' McCabe); Miller, Smith, Speas (77' Chester), Perez (84' Ewolo); Lomis
Scoring Summary
41' - OTT Samb (Barnathan)
66' - NC Miller (Lomis)
70' - OTT Oliveira (Fall)
Caution Summary
13' - NC Smith
42' - OTT Samb
74' - NC Brotherton
Attendance
3,551
Next match: Sunday, May 19 @ Bethlehem Steel
Next home match: Sunday, June 2 v Charlotte Independence
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