USL Ottawa Fury FC

Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC V Atlanta United 2

April 26, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC is back home at TD Place Stadium this Sunday, April 28 to host a puzzling but dangerous Atlanta United 2 side (kickoff 2 p.m., OttawaFuryFC.com). Fury FC will look to bring the home crowd to its feet by its fluid play as it keeps working towards creating explosive scoring opportunities.

STORYLINES

Both sides are coming into the weekend's matchup off a loss; Fury FC dropped a tough 0-1 loss in Louisville on Saturday night while Atlanta saw the Tampa Bay Rowdies rally back from an early deficit to cruise past them in a 4-1 loss at home.

Ottawa has a slight advantage in the head-to-head battle; the two sides met twice before, both times in the 2018 USL Championship season, and Ottawa claimed a 2-0 win at home in May followed by a 1-1 draw in Atlanta in August.

After a difficult game at Louisville Slugger Field, where the weather and playing surface forced Fury FC to get away from its preferred style of play, Ottawa will look to re-establish the active passing that was key in its early success. Midfielder Charlie Ward will play an important role in that, as well as his teammates in the midfield and on the wings.

Facing a potent offense in Atlanta United 2, Fury FC will look to see production from its attacking trio of Christiano François, Mour Samb and Kevin Oliveira. Oliveira has 2 of Ottawa's 4 goals so far this season while François is still looking to get on the scorecard after a fruitful preseason.

The young Canadian defender turned forward Daniel Kinumbe has been recalled to Montreal by the Impact for an undetermined period. Fury FC has however welcomed a new loanee in midfielder Amar Sejdic who signed with the Impact in March after being selected 34th overall in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.

SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED 2

There are changes ahead of Year 2, most notably on the sideline and in the club's home venue. Former Aberdeen and Newcastle United player Stephen Glass has taken over as Head Coach after the offseason departure of Scott Donnelly, and the side has moved to Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga., giving it a proper soccer-specific home. Glass' task as he moves up from Atlanta's Academy will be to try and build a sturdier base for the side, which conceded 74 goals in the regular season a year ago.

Glass will get help in that category from returning defenders Jack Metcalf and Tyler Ruthven, with Ruthven's late-season arrival in 2018 providing some important experience in the middle of defense. There are also some very interesting loan arrivals including Panamanian international Guillermo Benitez and Honduras U-20 player Wesly Decas. An influx of high-level prospects to go with the talent coming from Atlanta's own academy could help the side make a move in its second year. (via USL Championship)

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Head Coach Nikola Popovic

On the team's preparation for Atlanta United 2... "It's a team that likes to play very positive football. It's a team who will try to play out of the back, their build ups are very dangerous. And it's a team that can create a lot of chances. However, I think we are growing and getting better and better. This is a good opportunity for some players who may not have as many minutes to show that we can count on them."

On the importance of the match... "We have to bounce back. We have to come here [at TD Place] and show all of our confidence, give a good performance against Atlanta."

Defender Onua Obasi

On his return to the lineup... "[As a player] You want to be playing football. I always tell people that football is 99% training, and the game is the cherry on the cake. So it's great to be back in the lineup."

On the opponent... "They're a really dangerous team. Individually, they've got fantastic players. It's just about knowing your opposition and what they prefer to do... but we're prepared."

"It's important that your home form is good. You want the crowd, the community behind your team. Getting the win last home game was massive and brought great spirit in the camp and around the club. Now it's our job to keep that rolling and keep that home field advantage."

HOW TO WATCH

LIVE STREAM: OttawaFuryFC.com

RADIO: TSN 1200 (EN) | fm1047.ca (FR)

TWITTER: Follow @OTTAWAFURYFC for LIVE updates #OTTvATL #ForTheFury

TICKETS: OttawaFuryFC.com/single-match-seats



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 26, 2019


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