Fury FC Meet Toronto FC as Battle of the North
May 22, 2017 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
Great moments are born from great opportunities and Fury FC have a huge opportunity on Tuesday evening at TD Place in what could prove to be one of the biggest matches in club history. Ottawa will host the five-time Canadian champions and current holders of the Voyageurs Cup, Toronto FC, in the first leg of the Canadian Championship Semifinals.
The Semifinals open with the two clubs not only battling for national bragging rights, but for Provincial pride too as Fury FC and Toronto FC go head-to-head for the first-time in the Battle of Ontario.
Ottawa's first foray into the semifinals came last season against the Vancouver Whitecaps where they made a strong first impression in the club's first-ever test against MLS competition. A 2-0 victory over the Caps in front of a raucous crowd of 9000+ at TD Place cemented itself as one of the most memorable games in club history.
Led by Canadian International goalkeeper Callum Irving, Fury FC will look to their standout defence to stifle the red-hot Toronto FC in the first leg on Tuesday night. While it was Ottawa's sound defensive play that put them 1-0 ahead of FC Edmonton after the first leg of the preliminary round, it was their offence that powered them to a 4-2 aggregate win over the Eddies thanks to three goals in the second leg that started with Sito's opener just 39 seconds into the match - the second fastest goal in Canadian Championship history.
After advancing past the opening round for a second consecutive year by defeating NASL side FC Edmonton, Tuesday's match - against the MLS Eastern Conference leaders- will prove a great opportunity for Fury FC players to measure themselves against the best club in the MLS since the beginning of the season.
Fury FC will enter Tuesday's match just 72-hours after picking up a crucial 4-3 road win in New York thanks to a late rally to send them past Red Bulls II. It was this highest scoring affair in club history as Fury FC have now scored seven goals in their past three matches.
Tuesday's match will be special for Fury FC Assistant Coach Julian de Guzman, who played for his hometown club, Toronto FC, from 2009 to 2012. In September 2009, de Guzman became the first-ever Canadian Designated Player in MLS history. During his three seasons with Toronto, de Guzman featured in 93 games, scored three goals and won three consecutive Canadian Championship titles.
As Fury FC try to become the first non-MLS club to reach the Canadian Championship Final, they will need to be ready and focused against this red-hot Toronto FC side, who is currently riding a seven-game unbeaten streak (6W-1D-0L).
Just like Fury FC, TFC were also in the Big Apple this weekend, facing the Red Bulls. Toronto FC saw their six-game winning streak in MLS come to an end Friday evening against New York, but extended their unbeaten streak to seven games with a 1-1 draw.
The hottest team in Major League Soccer right now is led by international stars Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. Greg Vanney's squad also boasts a strong core of Canadian talents that includes the likes of Tosaint Ricketts, Jonathan Osorio and their new starlet Raheem Edwards.
The Battle of the North goes through Ontario starting with a must-see opening leg Tuesday night in the nation's capital - don't miss it!
Tickets for this game and every other Fury FC home Game and Season tickets for the 2017 USL season are available at OttawaFuryFC.com, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 22, 2017
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- Fury FC Meet Toronto FC as Battle of the North - Ottawa Fury FC
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