Fury FC Shutout for First Time this Season; Edged 1-0
May 2, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
Ottawa Fury FC vs. New York Cosmos
(Ottawa Fury FC, Credit: Rosa Cavalcanti / Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
BROOKLYN, NY (May 2, 2015) - For the first time this season Ottawa Fury FC were held scoreless as the league-leading New York Cosmos handed Fury FC their second straight defeat in NASL competition by a 1-0 score thanks to an early first half marker from Lucky Mkosana. Despite out-shooting their opposition, especially in the second half, Ottawa was unable to beat NASL Player of the Month Jimmy Maurer who proved dominant in the Cosmos goal making timely saves on Carl Haworth, Tom Heinemann and Oliver. Fury FC drop to 1-1-3 (W-D-L) on the season and return home to TD Place to open a three game home stand stand that starts May 9 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
"I'm very proud of our effort," said Head Coach Marc Dos Santos following the match. "This group will only grow from this. We played against a very good team and we were always in the game. Unfortunately, we didn't get the result we wanted."
Determined to erase three straight 3-1 defeats, Fury FC would have no easy match with which to do it on Saturday night against the league-best New York Cosmos, but it was Ottawa that produced the best change early. Carl Haworth found space down the left side and caught Jimmy Maurer anticipating a cross to the crafty winger curled a shot to the top corner at the near post that was narrowly deflected off the crossbar and out by the Cosmos keeper. That chance proved to be Ottawa's biggest threat in the opening half that also saw Brazilian Paulo Junior exit the match early due to injury with Tom Heinemann coming in to replace him.
While New York have impressive experience and talent in the squad with the likes of Marcos Senna and Raul, it was a different duo that connected to open the scoring for the Cosmos. After a turnover in midfield Leo Fernandes slotted a perfectly timed ball in behind the Fury defence into the path of the speedy Lucky Mkosana who beat Romauld Peiser at the back post to give the home side an early 1-0 through 14 minutes.
Tom Heinemann would miss the target on a volley and Ottawa would earn some set pieces around the Cosmos 18-yard box, but were never able to threaten in the opening frame that saw New York carry the one-goal advantage into the half.
Fury FC began the second half with plenty of energy with Tom Heinemann and Carl Haworth threatening. Heinemann produced a pair of worthy opportunities at the top of the box, but was unable to get enough behind his chances. Carl Haworth would again find space down the left side but was brought down inside the box, but to no advantage to Fury FC. Heinemann would earn a great chance after edging past Cosmos captain Carlos Mendes, but his low strike to the near post was met by Maurer.
Second half substitute Oliver tried his best to net his first goal of the season, but his header of the Sinisa Ubiparipovic corner was denied by Maurer who was well positioned the rest of the match after the early scare from the Haworth shot.
After surrendering a trio of goals in three straight defeats, Ottawa's back line looked much improved Saturday night, especially in the second half. Rafael Alves was his usual calm and composed self, while Colin Falvey again displayed the impressive art of the slide tackle making several crucial challenges including a stop on Marcos Senna and then a remarkable slide challenge on Raul late in the match to deny the Cosmos of a sure scoring opportunity.
While the defence was better for Fury FC, the offence would be shutout for the first time this season as the New York edged Fury FC 1-0.
Images from this story
 Ottawa Fury FC vs. New York Cosmos (Rosa Cavalcanti / Fort Lauderdale Strikers) |
North American Soccer League Stories from May 2, 2015
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- Keita's Late Winner in Jacksonville Headlines Action-Packed Night - NASL
- RailHawks Draw with Tampa Bay - North Carolina FC
- Fury FC Shutout for First Time this Season; Edged 1-0 - Ottawa Fury FC
- Strikers Play Silverbacks to Scoreless Tie in Return Home - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Silverbacks Stay Unbeaten, Steal Points from Strikers - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Unbeaten Atlanta Travels for Pivotal Match Day 5 - Atlanta Silverbacks
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