USL Ottawa Fury FC

Fury FC Leave Richmond Kicking in 2-0 Win

August 15, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC took another step towards the playoffs with a 2-0 win over Richmond Kickers at TD Place on Wednesday evening. Carl Haworth and Tony Taylor got the goals, while the Fury FC defence held firm for the team's eleventh clean sheet of the season.

Wednesday match marked the return of Fury FC captain Carl Haworth to the starting lineup. This was Haworth's first game back from an injury and he played the first 45 minutes. Meanwhile, Daniel Kinumbe made his first start as a member of Fury FC.

Seven minutes in, Kevin Oliveira was tripped up at the edge of the box and Haworth stepped up to take the free kick. There was little doubt about what the skipper was going to do with the ball, as he bent it over the wall and into the goal for an early Fury lead.

Richmond had an opportunity to counter Ottawa's early marker when Luiz Fernando sprinted down the left side. He tried a low cross, but it was right into the hands of Maxime Crépeau.

In the 39th minute Eddie Edward dribbled the ball down the right side and found himself some space. Edward tried to curl the ball into the near corner, only to have his attempt spin wide of the post.

Fury FC had another quality chance late in the half. Christian Portilla picked out Carl Haworth on a perfectly-timed run into the box. Haworth's attempt with his left foot came from an awkward angle and was smothered by goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg.

The first half ended with Ottawa up by one and having not conceded a single shot on target.

Within the first five minutes of the second half, Ottawa looked to increase their lead. Richmond failed to deal with a Christian Portilla free kick and Steevan Dos Santos laid a smart header into the path of Tony Taylor. A Kickers defender just managed to hook the ball clear.

Crépeau launched a quick counter attack in the 52nd minute by throwing the ball out to Taylor. The striker managed to poke the ball past the last man and was in all alone with the Richmond goalkeeper. A heavy touch prevented Taylor from getting a shot off.

In the 82nd minute, Richmond striker Heviel Cordovés unleashed a powerful shot that Maxime Crépeau dove and punched out for a corner kick. Ottawa cleared the corner and Dos Santos corralled the ball and ran through on goal. He centred the ball for a rushing Taylor who smashed it into the roof of the net for the insurance marker.

The 2-0 score line would hold, notching three important points for Fury FC. The victory was also Crépeau's eleventh clean sheet of the season, pulling him into a tie for the league lead in that category.

Ottawa will continue their push for the playoffs on Saturday, August 18 when they welcome Indy Eleven to TD Place (KO 2:00 p.m.). The game is of paramount importance, as the Eleven are also vying for a playoff spot in the USL Eastern Conference.

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Head Coach Nikola Popovic

"A very important win for us against a team that may look deceiving because they are at the bottom of the table. People may think this is an easy team, but we scouted them and we knew what their strengths were and we were able to control them most of the time."

Forward Carl Haworth

"We were very organized at the back. The confidence that we have in the back four and Max [Crépeau] allows us forward players to go and express ourselves. It felt good to be back and get on the scoresheet and even more importantly to get those three points and move up the table."

"I said to the guys right before the game 'our playoffs start right now. Every game's a must-win for us from here on in.' We can't afford to drop any points especially here at home. We've always played well here, it's a bit of a fortress for us. It's important we got the job done, but it's done, we move on and now we're focusing on Saturday and Indy."

MATCH REPORT

Full stats report on USL Match Centre or download the Opta Stats Report

Watch Match Highlights | Watch Post-Game Comments

Starting XI

Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3) Crépeau; Obasi, Meilleur-Giguère, Attakora, Edward; Dixon, Portilla, Oliveira (78' Mannella); Kinumbe (56' Reid), Taylor, Haworth © (46' Dos Santos)

Richmond Kickers (4-1-4-1): Spangenberg; Troyer, Hlavaty (72' Gonzalez), Williams, Yearwood (67' Thomson); Roberts; Fernando (72' Imura), Agyemang, Eaton, Shriver; Cordovés

Scoring Summary

8' - Haworth

84' - Taylor (Dos Santos)

Caution Summary

41' - Portilla

Attendance

3,535

Next Match: Friday, August 18 v Indy Eleven - 2:00 p.m. - TD Place



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 15, 2018


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