Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC - Penn FC
Published on May 6, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - After three consecutive home games, Ottawa Fury FC play their first away game when they travel to Pennsylvania to face Penn FC this Monday. The three home games saw Fury FC grab two valuable points. They showed tremendous character in their last game, where they played New York Red Bulls II for close to 30 minutes with just 10 men, and still came away with a point. This was also their first clean sheet this season and it came against a side that has scored the most number of goals among the 33 teams in the USL so far.
This was also the first clean sheet for Fury FC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau who was an influential presence between the posts, pulling off seven crucial saves, to ensure that his team was able to emerge from the contest with a well-deserved point. The Ottawa side had just 33.8% of the possession but still managed to generate two close chances that could have swung the result in their favour. This gritty performance, especially when a man down, will hold them in good stead going into their next game.
Fury FC are up against a team that has been stingy when conceding goals. Most of Penn FC's games have been low scoring affairs where the opposition hasn't been able to score more than one goal. They have had four stalemates this season and they're tied second in the USL in that category. They are 1W-4D-2L this season so far, thanks to a Friday night surprise 3-0 win against Tampa Bay. Fury FC are still looking for their first win of the season and this match will be a keen contest to see which team can emerge victorious and add a W to their record.
The Ottawa side will face a few of their former players during this contest. Former Fury FC players, goalkeeper Romuald Peiser, defender Kyle Venter, midfielder Mauro Eustaquio and forward Tommy Heinemann are currently plying their trade with Penn FC. Peiser holds the Fury FC team record for most shutouts (14) and wins (15) in a single season. Heinemann is the leading scorer for Fury FC with 18 strikes. The visitors will be hoping for an off day from both these big names on Monday.
The two sides have met just twice before, both last season, when Penn FC was playing as Harrisburg City Islanders. Both teams won a game each, with an identical 1-0 score line in both those games. With both teams eager for a win, this game promises to be an exciting one.
Fans can watch this Monday match up live on OttawaFuryFC.com/Fury-Live or via the USL Match Centre.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"We are all proud of the team's response [in Wednesday's game]. They showed lots of character. Now the message to them is to be consistent. This is what has been missing since the beginning - the consistency. If we can show the same character in every game, that will help us throughout the season."
On the team's first clean sheet... "It's always important to have a clean sheet. It's always a beginning. It was a fantastic response (to the performance against FC Cincinnati). However, that game had two different parts and we brought the first part to this game and not the second part. It's a brilliant response and this is how we want to respond whenever we lose or we miss something. We have to be ready to respond in this way."
On the opposition, Penn FC... "We have to focus on ourselves. We have to focus on our performance and try to be consistent because that has to be the recipe for us. If we do these things, I think we will be fine."
Midfielder Kevin Oliveira
"The team is feeling very good right now. We put all the work together. When we started playing with 10 players, that gave us more motivation. We ran for each other and we fought for each other. We had a few chances to win that game. It was a pretty good game. We know that (New York) Red Bulls II are a strong team. We did what we have been doing - we just played our game."
On the progress of the team so far... "It's a pretty new team. We knew from the start that it's going to be hard to understand each other but we are starting to get it together on the field. We are starting to play our game. Players are starting to know each other. We are practicing and working hard. We are starting to believe in each other, that's what we are doing on the field right now."
On his role in the team... "I like to attack. I like to break lines with the ball and I like to make assists. So I am enjoying my time. It's been pretty good for me to play here, in front of these fans. This team has a lot of quality. I'm just doing my work and helping the team with my potential. That's what I want to do. The ball doesn't want to go in but it will go in. We just need to be patient. The results will come for sure."
Defender Doneil Henry
"In the last game, everybody was committed to defending and keeping a clean sheet. We all bought into what the coach wanted us to do. We were extremely aggressive and we showed our true character. It was a performance that showed what we were made of. All 11 players, and even when we were down to 10 men, we showed what we were capable of doing. We are trying to bring that momentum to our next match."
On having played his first game for Fury FC... "It was exciting. I haven't played a lot of football in the last few years because of injuries. It's a blessing every time you can step on the pitch. It's a great group of guys. I definitely want to show what I can do and help them as much as I can."
On Fury FC's first away game after three consecutive home games... "It doesn't matter as long as we understand what we want to do. We're coming off a result like that against one of the better teams in the USL. I think we understand the way forward. We have to set demands and hold each other accountable, and keep this high level of performance. The goals will come. We are not really worried about that at the moment. As long as we continue to do the simple things and guys understand their roles within the team, I think we will definitely be fine."
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Matt FRANZ
Assistants: Kevin LOCK & Jay HUTCHINSON
Fourth Official: Robert RYAN Sr.
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