Fury FC with All Left to Play for in Toronto in Return Leg
August 7, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - On Wednesday night, Ottawa Fury FC took on reigning champions Toronto FC in the first leg of the semi-final of the 2019 Canadian Championship with a berth in the final on the line. Unfortunately for Fury FC, despite a good performance, a few too little chances left Ottawa with everything to play for in the return leg in Toronto next week as they conceded this one 0-2.
Toronto took the early lead in the 30th minute on a scrappy goal by defender Drew Moor. Fury FC battled feistily until the last minute only to see TFC add another one in the dying minutes of the match by Endoh. Ottawa will now travel to Toronto on Wednesday, August 14 for the second leg of the semi-final to be played at BMO Field (KO 7:30 p.m.).
STORYLINES
Fury FC had 5 Canadians on its starting line-up (Irving, Gagnon-Laparé, Meilleur-Giguère, Haworth and Mannella), with 5 more on the bench, one of them jumping in as a substitute in the second half (Tissot).
Ottawa's latest addition, striker Hadji Barry, made his first start in Fury FC colours and played the 90 minutes.
Ottawa posted stats representative of the good showing they put on the field, holding on to a slight advantage in ball possession (58%), stringing 485 passes and creating 6 shots, against a top-level opposition team.
Fury FC's forward Christiano François had a big night, collecting two of his side's shots, including one on target, and creating a number of opportunities for Ottawa in the last third through open play crosses and maintaining a passing accuracy of 92%.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"I think our players gave their best. It was a very tough match. In the first half, we had chances to score but (didn't convert), and they scored on the set play. In the second half, we possessed the ball more, however, we weren't able to find the chances we need to score. And then, unfortunately, we conceded in injury time. I think that's how we can summarize the game."
Midfielder Chris Mannella
"They're a good side, their entire roster is made up of very good players, and we understand that. But we have a very good side ourselves, throughout the entire team. I thought it showed tonight that everyone was equal to them, we put a good performance in and showed that we definitely can compete. We could've had a couple of goals ourselves, it's not like we were completely out of place, and we had most of the possession and out-passed them. So we can definitely play against them, and it's all to play for now in the second leg."
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Irving; Gagnon-Laparé (61' Tissot), Barnathan, Meilleur-Giguère, Haworth ©; Fall, Ward, Mannella (75' De Freitas); Barry, Oliveira, François
Toronto FC (3-4-2-1): Bono; Morgan (46' Shaffelburg), Moor, Zavaleta; Morrow, Fraser, Delgado (59' Osorio), Laryea; Benezet (71' Gallardo), Endoh; Mullins
Scoring Summary
30' - TFC Moor
90+1' - TFC Endoh
Caution Summary
20' - TFC Morrow
48' - TFC Zavaleta
79' - OTT Fall
81' - TFC Fraser
Attendance
5,809
Next match: Wednesday, August 14 @ Toronto FC (Canadian Championship)
Next home match: Saturday, August 24 v Saint Louis FC (Pride Game)
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