
Fury FC Earn Big Point Towards Playoffs in Draw with Bethlehem
September 30, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - There was nothing to separate Ottawa Fury FC and Bethlehem Steel FC Sunday afternoon at TD Place, as the teams played to a 0-0 draw. Fury may FC have been playing the Steel, but it was a different kind of metal that kept the game scoreless - Fury FC hit the post no less than four times in the first half.
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau earned his 15th shutout of the season, breaking a Fury FC franchise record held by Romuald Peiser (2015). Crépeau set the USL record for clean sheets last week.
Sunday's match had plenty of playoff implications in the USL Eastern Conference. Only three points separate sixth place from tenth place, and both Fury FC and the Steel are battling for those final playoff berths.
Fury FC had the momentum firmly in their favour early on. In the fourth minute, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère sent a pinpoint ball up the middle of the park onto the foot of Azake Luboyera, who was bundled over from behind for a clear penalty.
Steevan Dos Santos stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick. He sent goalkeeper Jake McGuire the wrong way, but smashed his shot off the base of the post.
With a fire in his belly following the penalty miss, Dos Santos hustled down the field and created a turnover in the 22nd minute. The big striker lumbered towards goal and had his powerful shot deflected off the post by McGuire and out for a corner kick.
A few moments later, Christian Portilla rifled a volley off the angle and out. The thunderous shot beat McGuire, but served as the third time Ottawa hit the post within the first half hour.
The fourth Fury FC attempt to hit the woodwork came in the 30th minute. A Carl Haworth ball into the box was met by David Edgar, who's header touched the crossbar and went out of play.
Despite the Ottawa pressure, the first half ended scoreless.
The home side started the second 45 on the front foot. The front three of Dos Santos, Luboyera and Tony Taylor kept McGuire busy.
Dos Santos had a glorious opportunity in the 67th minute. Haworth delivered another quality ball across the penalty area and Dos Santos leaped to meet the ball. His header ended up dribbling wide.
Fury FC kept pressing into the latter stages of the match and were the more active of the two teams, but the match ended in a stalemate.
Ottawa now must play the waiting game. Fury FC are off next week and have one game left in their USL regular season. That match is against the Charleston Battery on Saturday, October 13 (KO 2:00 p.m.) at TD Place (tickets available here).
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"It was almost a perfect game. If we were able to score instead of hitting the post and find the net it would have been perfect. Defensively we were very good - I don't remember them having many shots. It happens sometimes in football, but I think by performing this way, this team has a very good future."
Captain Carl Haworth
"We're so close. If we just keep doing those same things we did out there today - defensively and offensively - I think we'll get a result in our last game of the season. If things go our way, we'll make it into the playoffs. Everyone's together on this team and we're going to fight for each other right to the end."
MATCH REPORT
Full stats report on USL Match Centre or download the Opta Stats Report
Watch Match Highlights | Watch Post-Game Comments
Download Match Photos (for media use only, credit: Steve Kingsman / Freestyle Photography)
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Crépeau; Edward, Meilleur-Giguère, Edgar, Haworth ©; Gagnon-Laparé (86' Dixon), Portilla, Mannella; Luboyera (70' Sanon), Dos Santos, Taylor (86' Haber)
Bethlehem Steel FC (4-2-3-1): McGuire; Chiluya, Mahoney, Ofeimu, Mbaizo; Fontana, Chambers; Ngalina (78' Nanco), Aaronson (66' Skundrich), Moar; Herbers
Scoring Summary
- none -
Caution Summary
4' BST - Mbaizo
39' BST - Moar
68' BST - Ofeimu
75' OTT - Edward
Attendance
5,470
Next Home Match: Saturday, October 13 v Charleston Battery - 2:00 p.m. - TD Place
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