Fury FC Play to Scoreless Draw with Indy Eleven
August 18, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - There was nothing to separate Ottawa Fury FC and Indy Eleven on Saturday afternoon. The two clubs who are pushing for a playoff berth in the USL Eastern Conference played to a scoreless draw in front nearly 6,000 fans at TD Place.
Both teams came into the match with ten wins apiece and the Eleven remain a lone point above the Fury in the standings. The stalemate did allow Ottawa goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to earn his league-leading 12th clean sheet of the campaign.
The first chance of the game went to Indy Eleven. Elliot Collier tried to cut the ball across the box to a teammate, but David Edgar made a sliding block. Edgar was making his first appearance for Fury FC since being signed earlier in August.
Midway through the half, a Carl Haworth corner was deflected downward towards the goal line and a mad scramble ensued. Indy goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams smothered the ball to end the threat.
A few moments later, Fury FC were at it again. Tony Taylor did well to hold the ball up and lay it off to Steevan Dos Santos at the top of the box. Dos Santos thumped a low shot toward goal that forced Fon Williams into a diving stop.
Fon Williams robbed the Fury in the 35th minute. Dos Santos made a smart header down to Taylor who, in turn, headed the ball towards what looked to be a wide-open net. Fon Williams sprawled across to stop would have been a sure goal.
The visitors got the first opportunity of the second 45. Sooney Saad turned and blasted a powerful shot that was deflected by Edgar off the crossbar and out.
Fury FC earned a penalty in the 59th minute. Dos Santos was bundled over in the box off a quick counter attack and stepped up to take the spot kick. His low shot hit the post and went wide.
With the game winding down, Fury FC had a glorious chance. Kevin Oliveira took a powerful shot that was punched away by Fon Williams. The Portilla corner kick that followed was also swallowed up by the goalkeeper.
That would be the final chance of the game and both teams escaped with a valuable point toward the playoff race.
Fury FC will continue trying to gain ground in the USL Eastern Conference when they travel to Pennsylvania to play Bethlehem Steel on Wednesday, August 22 (KO 5:00 p.m.). Ottawa will return home next Saturday, August 25 (KO 7:00 p.m.) for a match against Penn FC.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"Our opponent is probably one of the best teams in USL. Being able to change three players [in our formation] and being able to fight with them gives us an indication that this team is getting stronger and stronger.
"Today, I think the game was even. Of course, we have the penalty that we missed but I think we have to say it was a fair result."
Defender David Edgar
"On a personal note I'm very happy to make my debut and get 90 minutes under my belt. We dug deep as a team. We rode our luck a bit but could have easily come out with three points. Overall assessment - I think the 0-0 is a fair result. They hit the post a few times but apart from that, they didn't really threaten us in behind. A fair assessment is a point each."
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 (3-5-2) Crépeau; Obasi, Edgar, Meilleur-Giguère; Kinumbe (80' Haber), Gagnon-Laparé, Portilla, Dixon (75' Mannella), Haworth ©; Taylor (46' Oliveira), Dos Santos
Indy Eleven (4-1-4-1): Fon Williams; Ouimette, Mitchell, Ferreira, Ayoze; Ring ©; Moses, Steinberger (75' Speas), Guerra (75' Watson), Saad; Coillier (81' McInerney)
Scoring Summary
- none -
Caution Summary
85' - Ayoze
Attendance
5,393
Next Match: Wednesday, August 22 v Bethlehem Steel - 5:00 p.m. - Goodman Stadium (Saucon Valley, PA)
Next Home Match: Saturday, August 25 v Penn FC - 7:00 p.m. - TD Place
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