Fury FC Downed by RailHawks in NASL Season Opener
April 4, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
Ottawa Fury FC vs. Carolina RailHawks
(Ottawa Fury FC)
(Cary, NC) - It wasn't the start and finish to the game that Ottawa Fury FC wanted to open the NASL season with, but there were plenty of positives in between, but not enough to claim victory on the day as the Carolina RailHawks took all three points with a 3-1 win.
"We had some anxiety at the start of the game and the didn't help us," said Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Carolina made us pay for our mistakes, but in the second half we showed great attitude and commitment. We push Carolina back and could of maybe got the tying goal if not for a disappointing decision from the referee."
Carolina opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Tiyi Shipalane got in behind the Ottawa defence and watched his errant cross find the target and go in at the back post to lift the home side to an early lead. Undaunted, Ottawa maintained a majority of the possession following the goal and pushed for an equalizer that Paulo Junior nearly found, but his shot went over the bar after a great setup from Carl Haworth.
After Andrew Wiedeman was brought down inside the box, Carl Haworth was elected to take the penalty. Despite a well-placed shot, RailHawks keeper Hunter Gilstrap guessed right, diving to his left to deny Haworth of an equalizer. Carolina would produce a chance on the following play as Shipalane again found space behind the back-four and despite Drew Beckie winning the ball a challenge the referee called a foul and ruled it inside the penalty area. Former Rangers FC striker Nacho Novo slotted in the spot kick giving the RailHawks two-goal lead.
Romuald Peiser would make an outstanding save on Shipalane late in the first half to keep the deficit at two heading into the half.
Ottawa looked a rejuvenated side to start the second half with Paulo Junior and Carl Haworth producing great chances early in the half. In the 57th minute, Carl Haworth made a great run across the top of the 18-yard box eluding three defenders and while he beat Gilstrap this time his shot caught the inside of the goal post and caromed across the face of goal and stayed out.
As the half wore on, Ottawa produced several more chances creating numerous turnovers inside the Carolina half thanks to a high line of pressure from Paulo Junior, Haworth, Wiedemen, Heinemann and Misik. Rafael Alves had a corner cleared off the line and Paulo Junior was denied by Gilstrap on the rebound.
In the 84th minute, mere moments after being substituted into the game for Patryk Misik, Brandon Poltronieri headed in a perfectly timed cross from Paulo Junior to cut the deficit in half. Ottawa would continue to press for an equalizer, but their comeback would become a tall order in the 01st minute when Julian De Guzman was brought down in the midfield and with no call on the play, Simone Bracalello found himself on a break away and beat Peiser to restore the RailHawks two-goal lead, giving them a 3-1 victory on the day.
Following the goal, De Guzman picked up a yellow and then a red for his protest that will see the Canadian Men's National team captain miss the clubs next game in Atlanta. Despite the booking, De Guzman looked sharp in his Fury debut playing in a midfield that was marred by injuries and suspensions.
Fury FC will travel to Atlanta next week to face the Silverbacks who have made several off-season moves to improve on their last place finish in 2014. Fury FC will return home to TD Place for their home opener on April 18 against the 2014 Regular Season Champion Minnesota United FC. Tickets available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
Images from this story
 Ottawa Fury FC vs. Carolina RailHawks |
North American Soccer League Stories from April 4, 2015
- Cosmos Best Strikers 1-0 to Win Season Debut - New York Cosmos
- Late Penalty Conversion Salvages Draw for Indy Eleven in 2015 Opener - Indy Eleven
- Armada FC Sets Modern-Day NASL Attendance Record in 3-1 Win - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Season with 3-1 Win over Defending Champions - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Armada Sink Eddies in Opening Match of Season - FC Edmonton
- Strikers Come up Short in Season Opener in Front of Record-Breaking Crowd - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Silverbacks Share Points with Indy in Opener - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Carolina RailHawks Claim Victory in Season Opener - North Carolina FC
- Fury FC Downed by RailHawks in NASL Season Opener - Ottawa Fury FC
- Smits to Go on Temporary Loan to Montreal Impact - FC Edmonton
- Kickabout: Match Day 1 - Atlanta Silverbacks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
