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USL Ottawa Fury FC

Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC at Indy Eleven

July 3, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


OTTAWA - If June has not been particularly kind to Ottawa Fury FC, as it historically is, they will look to kick off another busy month with a strong showing on the road at Indy Eleven this Wednesday. A win in Indy would not only shake up the Eastern Conference standings, but could also spoil Indy's Fourth of July celebrations.

A lot has changed since these two clubs last faced each other. For one, they have both made the jump to a different league, leaving the NASL behind the join the budding USL; Ottawa now in their second season in USL while Indy joined this year. Another stark contrast comes from the clubs' rosters: in 2016, a certain Julian de Guzman was still dressing as a player for Fury FC, while Colin Falvey was anchoring the defensive back line for the Eleven. Three Fury FC players however will remember facing the Eleven in 2016 when they return to Indianapolis this week, as Carl Haworth, Jamar Dixon and Eddie Edward were all wearing the badge then.

Ottawa Fury FC is wrapping up a long period on the road that has taken a toll on the players' bodies, but the club has been fortunate to not have to manage through any additional serious injuries. Having spent most of June on the road, with the exception of the Canadian Championship match, Fury FC have had little time to fully train, focusing instead on the health of the players and making sure their recovery was optimized in such short windows.

For the past three weeks, Fury FC have had to play twice a week, on the road, and players will be keen however to close this away stint on Wednesday and head home for a series of six matches at TD Place. If home is where the heart is, Fury FC has had their fair share of challenges while on the road, securing only two wins away to their three wins and three draws at home. Ottawa's character will be tested again in this match as they face a confident Indy side that is showcasing one of the most successful streak in the conference right now having stayed undefeated in their last five matches.

Indy Eleven is coming off a salvaged draw against Penn FC on the weekend after defender Karl Ouimette was sent off for a second yellow, handicapping his side for the remaining 25 minutes of play. Indy battled through the adversity to score a late equalizer and steal the point. A compact defense that proves hard to breakdown has been the key to Indy's success of late, allowing them to make a healthy jump to number 10 in the Power Rankings heading into Week 16.

On the Ottawa side, if final results have not gone the way fans would hope for, there has been enough positives in their matches against tough opponents to believe this battle is one that can be won. Fury FC players have demonstrated throughout the season that they had a will to win and battle that could not be matched, and they will look to bring that drive and determination to the pitch at Lucas Oil Stadium Wednesday evening. With key performers healthy, and other influential players coming back to form, Fury FC have the tools to push through the tight Indy Eleven's structure and create sufficient chances to earn the three points.

As with all away matches, fans can watch live on OttawaFuryFC.com/Fury-Live or by following the club on Twitter @OttawaFuryFC.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Head Coach Nikola Popovic

On what the team will look for... "If we are able to push direct, play compact like we did in Cincinnati, and play the counter-attack, I think we can be very dangerous. [Indy] is a team that has very good fullbacks, and some speed. It will be a good game and I expect the game to be very fast."

On Indy's squad... "I think it's a very good squad. The roster is filled with players with experience in MLS so I think it I a very good squad. A squad with lots of tough players. They are very solid and effective in their organisation, and how they organise defensively and then push on the counter-attack. I've never seen their field but I was told that it is very narrow and that they have adapted to that style."

Defender Colin Falvey

On being back in Indy... "It's good to be back! It's a sports city, and I obviously have some fantastic memories from my time here. It is a little bit strange but it feels familiar at the same time. I'm obviously hoping to play against my former team, but we'll have to wait and see where I am at now and where I want to get to."

On the toll of everything on the team... "We were definitely not where we wanted to be [early in the game in Cincinnati] energy wise, but we're in a difficult part of the season, games are coming around fast. It's not an easy moment for us, fixture-wise, but at the end of the day, I think if we just tidy up things a bit, don't have the individual errors and we take our chances, maybe we can get out with valuable points in a difficult place, and then we're in a good spot. I don't think it was that bad."

On wrapping up the road trip... "It's big for us. I do think TD Place gives us an absolute advantage. And it will be important because after July we have another very tough month of August. So the boys are well aware, we talked about how we need to get as many points as we can starting on Wednesday and then at home. We're going to get some points in the month of July, get ourselves in a good position come August, and give ourselves a fighting chance to be amongst the teams that are gunning for a playoff spot."

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Kevin BROADLEY

Assistants: Matthew SEEM and Ryan BIRDSALL

Fourth Official: Ryan SHANKLIN



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 3, 2018


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.

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