Fury FC Fall to Independence in Tight Game at Home
Published on June 2, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC withstood some stiff early pressure, but ultimately lost to Charlotte Independence by a score of 1-0 at TD Place on Saturday night. Fury FC showed good fight in front of 5,693 vocal fans, the highest attendance since school day game exactly one month ago.
Fury FC were looking to redeem themselves after a tough 4-1 loss in the season opener on the road. But that game was over two months ago, and it is clear Fury FC have seen a major improvement since. Saturday also marked the third consecutive game that Nikola Popovic's starting eleven featured eight or more Canadians.
The match started out with Fury FC on the backfoot. Charlotte enjoyed 74% of the possession through the first ten minutes, but the Ottawa backline held firm. Charlotte was able to break into the box on a few occasions, but Nana Attakora stepped up to make key clearances.
The majority of the first half was spent with Charlotte recycling the ball and trying to break down the Fury defence, but the home side had their chances. In the 18th minute, Chris Manella intercepted a pass and had a shot from the top of the box. Independence goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra was forced into a diving save.
Despite the lopsided possession numbers, Fury FC had the best chance of the first 45. Carl Haworth darted past the defense and his strike looked like it was destined for the back of the net. However, Charlotte defender Je-Vaughn Watson made a goal-saving clearance out for a corner.
Although Charlotte saw a lot of the ball in the first-half, Ottawa had the only three shots on target. The home side showed some pushback in the closing stages, but the half ended scoreless.
Ottawa nearly took advantage of a miscue by the Charlotte backline early in the second-half. Some hard pressing by Adonijah Reid allowed a misplayed pass to fall right to Haworth who had a shot from a tight angle that hit the side of the net.
The first portion of the second-half could best be described as cagy. The field was tilted in favour of the visitors in the first 45, but Ottawa was firmly in the game. Jimmy-Shammar Sanon, fresh off a call-up to the Haitian national team, was brought on in the 63rd minute. Sanon didn't waste any time getting involved, taking a shot from 20 yards out that was blocked by a defender.
Ottawa had a glorious opportunity shortly thereafter off a Haworth free kick. The ball fell to Steevan Dos Santos right on the edge of the six-yard box. Dos Santos blazed his shot attempt over the net, and the big attacker knew that his miss could very well come back to haunt his team.
Haworth was at it again moments later. The captain hustled to steal the ball and cut it back to Jamar Dixon, who had a powerful shot that was stopped by Dykstra. Fury FC had a penalty shout as Dixon was struck in the face by a defender as he was shooting, but the official said to play on.
Charlotte Independence broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute. There was a mad scramble in the box and Ottawa failed to clear. Yann Ekra ran on to the ball and let go a shot that deflected past Crépeau, ending Fury FC's shutout streak.
The goal proved too late for the Fury to respond to, as Charlotte killed off the game without Ottawa being able to register a shot in the final ten minutes.
Ottawa will now embark on a lengthy road trip that will see them away from home for their next five league matches. They will start the road swing on Wednesday, June 13 at North Carolina FC (KO 7:00 p.m.). The next home match will be in the second qualifying round of the Canadian Championship, which will take place on Wednesday, June 27. The opponent has yet to be determined.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"It was a very even match. I think we had the better chances to score. When a goal comes from a deflection, it's always frustrating. But I have to say I'm very proud of our players and the way they fought until the end."
On the fan support... "Of course, the fans came today and supported the team until the end. I think we are starting to have a good atmosphere here at the Ottawa Fury."
Defender Onua Obasi
"I think the back four has been good for a number of weeks now and it's really disappointing to give up that goal late on. The midfield helped us massively. I thought we were comfortable for the most part, we worked hard for 80 minutes and then we gave up a soft goal. The lads know that was three points we aimed for today, so we'll get that on the road."
MATCH REPORT
Full stats report on USL Match Centre or download the Opta Stats Report
Watch Game Highlights | Watch Post-Game Show & Reactions
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Crépeau; Obasi, Meilleur-Giguère, Attakora, Edward; Dixon, Mannella, Oliveira (89' Taylor); Reid (63' Sanon), Dos Santos, Haworth ©
Charlotte Independence (4-5-1): Dykstra; Johnson, Watson, Lee, Vines; Cato, Voser (81' Zayed), George, Ekra, Martinez; Herrera © (90+3' Duckett)
Scoring Summary
83' - Ekra
Caution Summary
55' - Reid
90' - Edward
Attendance
5,693
Next Match: Wednesday, June 13 @ North Carolina FC - 7:00 p.m. - Wakemed Soccer Park (Cary, NC)
Next Home Match: Wednesday, June 27. Opponent TBD (Canadian Championship Second Qualifying Round, second leg) - 7:00 p.m. - TD Place.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 2, 2018
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- Rowdies Held to 0-0 Draw by Atlanta United 2 - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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- Fury FC Fall to Independence in Tight Game at Home - Ottawa Fury FC
- Bethlehem Steel FC Rallies Back to Down North Carolina FC - Philadelphia Union II
- Ekra's Late Heroics Extend Winning Streak - Charlotte Independence
- Kickers Allow Two Late Goals, Fall to Pittsburgh - Richmond Kickers
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