Fury on Cusp of Fall Title with 1-0 Win over Scorpions
October 18, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (October 18, 2015) - Ottawa Fury FC moved to within a single point of capturing the NASL Fall Season Championship following their 1-0 victory over the San Antonio Scorpion in their final regular season home match at TD Place. On a chilly Sunday afternoon, the raucous crowd of over 5000-plus braved the weather to be part of Fan Appreciation Day and they were not disappointed. Mauro Eustaquio's second half screamer gave Ottawa the 1-0 lead and Romuald Peiser stood tall in goal collecting his NASL-record 14th shutout of the season. Fury FC can clinch the Fall Season title with a result Wednesday night in Jacksonville.
"We knew it would be tough. I think overall we did everything we had to do to win the game," said Ottawa Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We are closer to something big for the club, but it is not done yet."
As flurries of snow trickled down onto the pitch at the start of the match, Ottawa looked to take control of the contest early, testing Scorpions goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes with consecutive dangerous attempts from forward Tom Heinemann in the 10th and 11th minute.
Fury goalkeeper Romuald Peiser equaled his counterparts impressive first half play making two brilliant diving saves in the first half, first on a left-footed strike from San Antonio midfielder Rafael Castillo in the 14th minute and then on forward Omar Cummings' hard drive in the 26th minute, to keep the score level in the early going.
Ottawa would come close to goal with threatening efforts from Paulo Junior and Ryan Richter as the half wore on, but the game would still find itself with a goal. Late in the half Tom Heinemann looked to have opened the scoring as his headed beat Fernandes, but the goal would be called back after a foul in the box sending the two sides into halftime scoreless.
The second half was filled with energy and intensity from both sides. Fury FC came out with chances from midfielders Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Julian de Guzman early. Fury FC forward Andrew Wiedeman would also have a great attempt on goal with a spinning right-footed kick in the 61st minute.
In the 68th minute, Julian De Guzman would put a brilliant back-heel pass right into the path of Mauro Eustaquio, who would send a long-range strike off the far post and into the back of the net. Exuding loads of confidence after being called up to Canada's Olympic team, Eustaquio would give Ottawa the one-goal lead in his first game back.
Peiser and Ottawa's solid defensive quartet of Trafford, Falvey, Alves and Richter provided sound defensive coverage to keep the Scorpions scoreless. Peiser would collect another clean sheet with the victory to set the NASL shutout record (14) and equal the NASL record for wins in a season at 14 tying Ray Burse's set in 2011 with the Puerto Rico Islanders.
When asked about the record, Peiser credits his teammates. "The guys that play in front of me deserve as much credit. This is a team accomplishment. We all play together and we have all achieved this together."
Animosity ensured in the final stages of the game when Scorpions forward Eric Hassli made a dangerous challenge on Colin Falvey in the 90th minute. Falvey would remain in the game and Ottawa would stay composed long enough to solidify a dramatic victory. Hassli was show a red card for the challenge.
Ottawa's win coupled with Minnesota's loss Saturday night in Indianapolis puts Ottawa six points clear of the Loons for the Fall Season title with only two games remaining. A point wins Ottawa the Fall Season Championship guaranteeing them home field advantage for the Championship Semifinal at TD Place on November 8.
Fury FC now sit atop both the Fall Season standings (12W-5D-1LAPTS) and the Combined standings (14W-10D-4LRPTS) holding a two-point lead over the New York Cosmos.
Ottawa Fury FC can clinch the Fall Season title on the road with a point against the Jacksonville Armada in a midweek clash on October 21 at 7:30pm. Ottawa will end the regular season 10 days later on October 31 when the club rolls into Atlanta to take on the Atlanta Silverbacks. Fans can purchase tickets to the NASL Championship Semifinal and Final matches at OttawaFuryFC.com where they call also renew or buy Season Tickets for 2016.
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North American Soccer League Stories from October 18, 2015
- Scorpions Fall on the Road 0-1 to the Ottawa Fury - San Antonio Scorpions
- Fury on Cusp of Fall Title with 1-0 Win over Scorpions - Ottawa Fury FC
- Indy Eleven Notches 3-1 Win over Minnesota - Indy Eleven
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