Fury FC Earns First Point of the Season in Home Opener
April 21, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - An improbable late goal directly off a corner kick from Cristian Portilla earned Ottawa Fury FC their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with North Carolina FC. A boisterous 6,137 supporters packed into TD Place to see the Fury's first home game of the year, and the debut of their brand-new home kits.
Fury FC began the game on the front foot and won a free kick on the right side of the box. Kevin Oliveira fooled everyone on the field by shooting directly at goal from a tight angle. His attempt caught North Carolina's goalkeeper, Alex Tambakis, off-guard, but hit the outside of the post. That early attempt would foreshadow the ending of the match...
Oliveira would get another chance from a dead ball a few minutes later from around 25 yards out. His shot had the pace but could not find the target.
The Fury had the lion share of possession in the first half, with North Carolina seeming content to let them hold on to the ball. However, it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 35th minute. Daniel RÃos capped off a string of passes inside the Fury box, and left goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau no chance with a shot into the top corner. North Carolina FC would maintain their 1-0 lead into the half-time break.
The Fury FC defence started the second-half on their toes. North Carolina put a dangerous ball into the box, but Colin Falvey flew in to head the ball out for a corner. Falvey, who was wearing the captain's armband, was selected as the Man of the Match for his solid play on the day.
Carl Haworth was substituted on in the 56th minute and immediately injected energy into the Fury with several darting runs forward. A few minutes after entering the match, the fifth-year Fury veteran chipped ball to front post, but it was well defended by North Carolina.
With time ticking down, Adonijah Reid was fouled on the edge of the box after a mazy dribble. Oliveira had a wonderful effort dip over the wall on the free kick but was robbed by a diving Tambakis.
Portilla then stepped-up and put the ball directly into the goal off the ensuing corner kick. Oliveira caught the goalkeeper sleeping with the first shot of the game, and Portilla did the same with the last. This time a tangle of bodies at the near post prevented Tambakis from getting over, and Fury FC had their second goal of the season.
Portilla celebrated his 86th minute strike in front of an ecstatic TD Place crowd, who were rewarded for their support throughout the game. Fury FC continued to pour the pressure on late, but could not crack the North Carolina defence again.
Ottawa Fury FC will continue a three-game homestand on Saturday, April 28 at TD Place against FC Cincinnati (KO 2:00 p.m.). Cincinnati are conference rivals for Ottawa, and Fury FC will be competing with them for a playoff position all season long. Ottawa will then wrap-up their homestand against New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, May 2 (KO 10:30 a.m.) in the school day game.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"I think this reflects the foundation we are trying to build here. When we speak about culture, this is part of the culture. The message was very clear; no matter what, everyone had to give their very best. I think it's coming, we are getting a little more consistency, but I think we are still very far from how I want this team to play.
"It was my first game here at home. I was amazed by how the public was active and how they helped us. They really were an extra player on the field."
Defender Colin Falvey
On returning to Ottawa... "There were plenty of flashbacks and plenty of stuff going my head on the way out. It was nice to get back out there and representing the city again. The fans have been fantastic to me ever since the first day I came to Canada. Just disappointed we didn't get the three points, but it was a positive performance."
Midfielder Cristian Portilla
"I'm really excited to score the goal. Maybe the goal came too late - if we had scored [earlier], and I think we had a chance to win the game. We moved the ball quick, we felt good on the field. We are a really good team, so we have to keep going."
MATCH REPORT
Full stats report on USL Match Centre | Watch Game Highlights
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Crépeau; Edward, Falvey, Mannella, Manesio; Bruna (80' Dixon), Portilla, Oliveira; Salazar (56' Haworth), Taylor (84' Balbinotti), Reid
North Carolina FC (4-5-1): Tambakis; Taylor, Danso, Harrington, Doue (61' Guillén); RÃos (76' Miller), Bekker (87' Ewolo), Smith, Kandziora, da Luz; Lomis
Scoring Summary
35' - RÃos (Lomis)
86' - Portilla
Caution Summary
70' - Bruna
Attendance
6,137
Next Match: Saturday, April 28 v FC Cincinnati - 2:00 pm - TD Place
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 21, 2018
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- Real Monarchs SLC Fall at Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 - Real Monarchs
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- Penn FC Draws against Charleston in Home Opener - Penn FC
- Battery Held to Draw in Harrisburg - Charleston Battery
- Fury FC Earns First Point of the Season in Home Opener - Ottawa Fury FC
- North Carolina FC Draws 1-1 at Ottawa Fury FC, Austin Da Luz Reaches 10,000-Minute Milestone - North Carolina FC
- Switchbacks FC Add Niki Jackson on Loan from Colorado Rapids - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
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