Fury FC Double up Atlanta United 2 at Home
Published on May 12, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC battled to their second win of the season, beating Atlanta United 2 2-0 on Saturday afternoon in front of a lively, sun-drenched crowd of 4,292 at TD Place. Steevan Dos Santos and Carl Haworth got the goals for Ottawa, while goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and the back four extended their shutout streak to 285 minutes, en route to earning their third straight clean sheet.
The match started at a brisk pace, with both teams trying to move the ball quickly. The fast pace seemed to suit the home side and nearly led to a perfect start for Ottawa. Adonijah Reid and Steevan Dos Santos were able to work a one-two, but Dos Santos's left-footed shot from inside the box was pulled wide.
Reid was at it again ten minutes later. The Brampton, Ontario, native weaved forward and played a well-weighted ball to Fury FC captain Carl Haworth. His weak left-footed attempt from inside the penalty area did not trouble goalkeeper Nicolas Caraux, and left the skipper clearly upset with himself.
Reid was putting on a clinic in the first-half, with another mazy dribble by the youngster leading to Ottawa breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute. Reid got to the byline and centred the ball to Haworth, whose miss hit fell right to Dos Santos. The Cape Verdean international's shot was partially blocked, but still found the back of the net, giving the Fury their first goal from open play at home this season.
It had been a rough day for Carl Haworth, who let two glorious opportunities go to waste. He made up for his earlier misses in stunning fashion in the 35th minute, curling a free kick from 25-yards out into the top corner. Caraux was left with no chance in the Atlanta goal, as the Fury captain peeled off to celebrate in front of a roaring crowd.
Even the defenders were getting in on the attacking onslaught for Ottawa. Thomas Meilleur-Giguere had a shot from a sharp angle that almost caught Caraux napping at his near post. The Montreal Impact loanee was starting his second game of the season at left-back and looked right at home on a solid Fury FC backline.
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau wasn't called into action often, but he was sharp when necessary. In the dying moments of the first 45, Crépeau tipped a dangerous free kick from Atlanta's Christopher Goslin over the bar. Ottawa have yet to concede since centre-back Doneil Henry arrived on loan from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in early May.
The second half was rather tame compared to the first, with the Fury appearing comfortable holding their opponents at bay. Jimmy-Shammar Sanon was introduced into the game midway through the second 45. It was the second time in as many games the dreadlocked forward came off the bench, and his energetic and inexorable play is quickly making him one of the most exciting players in the Fury FC lineup.
The Fury will look to extend their two-game winning streak on Saturday, May 19 (KO 7:00 p.m.) when they travel to South Carolina to take on the Charleston Battery. The Battery are near the top of the USL Eastern Conference standings and are currently the lone undefeated club left in the league, so Saturday's game will be a good test for Ottawa. Fury FC will return to TD Place for a rare Friday night game on May 25 against Bethlehem Steel FC (KO 7:00 p.m.).
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"First of all, I have to congratulate our players. I am very proud of the way they fought during the 95 minutes. It was fantastic to watch them fight and believe until the end. As you know, we are trying to create a culture here, and one of the core values is this belief and this positive attitude. For that, I am very, very proud."
On having only 33% possession in the match... "It's perhaps not the best performance, but the fact is we won 2-0. I think we have to play a bit better than we did. We have to have more of the ball and we have to dominate the game. In this game we didn't do that, but the most important thing is that we were able to get the three points."
Man of the Match Carl Haworth
"It was a full team effort. As forwards, we were working on creating more chances [in practice] throughout the week. If we were just a little bit more clinical, this game could have been 3-0, 4-0 or 5-0 even. All the credit to the lads at the back; [Colin] Falvery, Doneil [Henry] and Max [Crépeau]. For me, you could pick eleven man of the matches - everyone worked tirelessly for the team."
MATCH REPORT
Full stats report on USL Match Centre | Watch Game Highlights | Watch Post-Game Reactions
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Crépeau; Meilleur-Giguere, Falvey, Henry, Edward; Dixon, Portilla (86' Manesio), Oliveira; Reid (67' Sanon), Dos Santos (72' Taylor), Haworth
Atlanta United 2 (4-2-3-1): Caraux; Metcalf , Edwards, Cochran (87' Barajas), Nicklaw; Shannon, Kissiedou (60' Kunga); Gallagher, Goslin (70' Kendall-Moullin), Carleton; Carranza
Scoring Summary
26' - Dos Santos (Haworth)
35' - Haworth
Caution Summary
10' - Cochran
34' - K. Edwards
53' - Shannon
63' - Dixon
82' - Taylor
Attendance
4,292
Next Match: Monday, May 19 @ Charleston Battery - 7:00 p.m. - MUSC Health Stadium
Next Home Match: Friday, May 25 v Bethlehem Steel FC - 7:00 p.m. - TD Place
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