Fury FC Settles for Scoreless Draw on Long Weekend Eve
August 2, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - For its second encounter with Birmingham Legion FC this season, with the first match at BBVA Field ending in a 1-0 win for Ottawa, Fury FC was back home on Friday night and trying to collect three points. Despite a strong performance on the field, Ottawa had to settle for a single point in a 0-0 draw.
Fury FC will now have to wait 15 days before its next USL Championship matchup but will have the all-important Canadian Championship semi-final series against Toronto FC to focus on, with the first leg going this Wednesday, August 7 at TD Place.
STORYLINES
Two Fury FC made their first start for the club on Friday night: Protais Mutambala at forward, and Robert Boskovic at centre-back.
Forward Aidan Daniels also made a return to play on Friday, entering the match in the 74th minute after missing over a month due to injury.
Ottawa's newest acquisition, striker Hadji Barry, didn't make Fury FC faithfuls wait too long, stepping onto the field for the first time in black and red at the start of the second half.
With the 0-0 result, Fury FC keeper Callum Irving earned his 6th clean sheet of the season, barely having faced any threatening shots all game long.
Irving faced 3 of the 5 shots taken by the Legion, the other 2 having been blocked before they reached his area.
Fury FC dominated all facets of the game, creating 12 shots, 3 on target, maintaining 66% of the possession and stringing 556 passes in the 90 minutes.
Kevin Oliveira had a solid night in attack, taking 5 shots and collecting one key pass.
In his first start and first 90-minute of the season, Boskovic had a nice showing, successfully completing 4 tackles and 2 blocks, including a decisive sliding tackle that regained possession for Fury FC in the first half.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"It's frustrating. The team performed in an impressive way. We were always under control. We dominated and controlled the game most of the 90-minutes. We created good chances. We deserved to get out with the three points. What we did today was enough to get us three points. However, it wasn't possible and we ended up only with one point."
Forward Hadji Barry
"I'm happy to get my first game with Ottawa Fury. It feels great to be back on the field, just touching the ball and playing with teammates. I know I'm not where I want to be yet, that's going to come along, and I think my teammates and coach will help me do that, but I'm just happy being out and playing the game."
MATCH REPORT
Watch match highlights | Review match statistics
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Irving; Obasi (81' Tissot), Boskovic, Barnathan, Haworth ©; Gagnon-Laparé (46' Barry), Ward, Mannella; Mutambala (74' Daniels), Oliveira, François
Birmingham Legion FC (4-3-3): Van Oekel; Culbertson, Laurent, Fisher, Lopez ©; Kobayashi (44' Opoku), Asiedu, Avila (81' Ward); Wright (76' Hollinger-Janzen), Herivaux, Williams
Scoring Summary
- none -
Caution Summary
74' - BHM Lopez
78' - BHM Lopez
88' - BHM Van Oekel
90+3' - BHM Asiedu
Attendance
4,015
Next home match: Wednesday, August 7 v Toronto FC in Canadian Championship semi-final (tickets)
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