Fury FC Stretch Unbeaten Run to Seven Downing Loons
September 24, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON - Second half goals from Giuseppe Gentile, Ryan Williams and Lance Rozeboom sealed Fury FC's second consecutive come-from-behind victory over Minnesota United FC on Saturday night in front of 6200+ at TD Place. The win scores Ottawa a crucial three points as they continue to climb the standings extending their unbeaten streak to seven games.
"It's a six pointer. That win tonight took us above Minnesota in the fall standings. So we have got to take great confidence from that," said Fury FC Head Coach Paul Dalglish.
"That's seven points now off a playoff spot with six games left, and four of those six games are against teams that are also fighting for that fourth spot. This really is a part of the season where not only is it important to win, it's important to take points off whoever you are playing against to stop them from getting in fourth place," added Dalglish.
American striker Giuseppe Gentile put in another influential performance on Saturday evening, scoring his second goal for the club while garnering 31 touches over 89 minutes of play. His game-levelling strike set the stage for British midfielder Ryan Williams to steal the lead in the 82nd minute, when the midfielder picked up a stray Haworth pass on the edge of the box, cut inside and slotted the ball into the left corner of the net with a composed strike.
"You should never ever stop fighting," said Williams. "We are not looking too far ahead. We are taking every game as it comes, but you've always got to have a long term goal and we're not giving up."
Fury FC almost opened the scoring in the 16th minute when striker Giuseppe Gentile - fresh off scoring his first goal for the club last week in Minnesota - picked up the lofted lead pass just outside of the box, tapped it around the first defender, cut wide around the second before firing a ferocious effort on goal. Minnesota keeper Sammy Ndjock parried the powerful strike away, keeping the score level.
The close call sparked the visitors into action and just four minutes later United FC took the lead with an opportunistic rebound finish from Jamie Watson, who buried Christian Ramirez's attempted chip from six yards out.
The 1-0 scoreline held until halftime. Despite heading into the break down a goal, Fury FC performed well in the first half, controlling 58% of possession while boasting a passing accuracy of 85%.
Minnesota came out of the break looking hungry to add to their lead, breaching the home-team's defensive third with a few early chances. In the 52nd minute, United FC midfielder Lance Laing tested Romuald Peiser from distance, rifling a powerful rising strike towards the right side of the goal. The Fury keeper made a fantastic, but fortunate stop, parrying the ball into the path of the onrushing Ramirez who was called offside.
In the 57th minute, Fury FC levelled the score through in-form striker Gentile, who picked up Tissot's early cross on the edge of the box, took one, then two touches before firing a low, short-side strike past a sprawling Ndjock. The equalizing goal was Gentile's second as a member of Fury FC.
Gentile's goal livened Fury FC's resolve to steal all three points and in the 82nd minute the home-side took the lead through Ryan Williams. The diminutive midfielder picked up Haworth's attempted pass for Gentile on the edge of the box, cut onto his right foot before slotting a low strike into the left corner of the visitor's goal.
Lance Rozeboom put the game away in the 86th minute, firing in Haworth's smart short pass from 10 yards out.
Fury FC continue their impressive form in the month of September. The club is 8W-5D-1L lifetime in the ninth month of the year and will look to continue their strong form by extending the unbeaten streak to eight games with a midweek clash in Miami. After Wednesday night's road contest, Ottawa will return home to host Puerto Rico FC at TD Place Sunday (October 2) at 2p.m.
Tickets for Fury FC home games are available by clicking here, calling 613-232-6767 x1 or in person at the Box Office at TD Place. The Fall Season schedule is available here.
MATCH REPORT:
Starting XI:
Ottawa Fury FC(3-4-2-1): Peiser; Timbo, Alves, Edward; Tissot, Bailey (Obasi - 61'), Rozeboom, Dixon; Williams, Haworth (Porter - 90'); Gentile (Stewart - 90')
Minnesota United FC (4-2-3-1): Ndjock; Davis, Kallman, Lowe, Venegas; Pitchkolan, Ibson (Blake - 81'); Laing, Speas, Watson (Pinho - 77'); Ramirez
Fury FC:
Fall Season: 5W-5D-6L, 20 pts, 5th place
Overall Season: 7W-8D-11L, 29 pts, 10th place
Minnesota United FC:
Fall Season: 5 W-5D-6L, 20 pts, 6th place
Overall Season: 10W-6D-10L, 36 pts, 4th place
Scoring Summary:
56' OTT - Gentile (Tissot)
82' OTT - Williams
86' OTT - Rozeboom (Haworth)
Caution Summary:
45+2' OTT - Edward
51' MNU - Speas
57' MNU - Watson
Ejection Summary:
None
Attendance: 6274
North American Soccer League Stories from September 24, 2016
- FC Edmonton Surrenders 1-0 Loss to RailHawks Despite Strong Second Half - FC Edmonton
- Indy Eleven Gets Revenge against First-Place New York in 3-0 Win - Indy Eleven
- Fury FC Stretch Unbeaten Run to Seven Downing Loons - Ottawa Fury FC
- RailHawks Extend Home Unbeaten Streak to Nine Games After1-0 Win over FC Edmonton - North Carolina FC
- Late Goal Foils Armada's Lead in Last Minute Draw - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Strikers' 7-Game Unbeaten Streak Ends - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Hristov Bags First Rowdies Hat Trick in 4-1 Win - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Minnesota Drops Back to Back Matches against Fury - Minnesota United FC
- Miami FC Narrowly Edged by Puerto Rico, 1-0 - Miami FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
