Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC V Penn FC
July 13, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC will be looking to double-up on Penn FC this weekend after the first meeting between these two sides earlier this season resulted in a 1-0 victory for Ottawa.
This is the second of Fury FC's five-game home stand. After a narrow 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh last weekend, Fury FC will draw confidence from their victory over Penn FC earlier in the season. On the road in one of their many early away games, the Ottawa side had produced a gritty performance to register their first win of the 2018 season, which also kick-started Fury FC's four games unbeaten streak, winning three of those. They also secured clean sheets in all of them.
Penn FC are coming off a 1-0 loss to Richmond Kickers, which was their first loss in seven games. So far this season, they have conceded as many goals as they have scored (22). In away games, Penn FC have a 2W-5D-3L record this season.
This will be the fourth meeting between these two sides with Fury FC having won twice and lost once against Penn FC.
This game will also mark the return to TD Place of former Fury FC players in Penn FC colours - goalkeeper Romuald Peiser, defender Kyle Venter, and forwards Paulo Junior and Tommy Heinemann. Two out of these four players are record holders for Fury FC. Peiser holds the Fury FC team record for most shutouts (14) and wins (15) in a single season while Heinemann is the leading scorer for Fury FC with 18 goals in a single season.
After this Saturday's match, Fury FC will be playing four games in 11 days, starting with the first leg of the Canadian Championship semi-final against Toronto FC July 18th at TD Place. A positive result in this weekend's game would be another boost ahead of the crucial Canadian competition and the MLS opponent.
Tickets for Fury FC's match against Penn FC this Saturday, as well as all upcoming home matches, are available at OttawaFuryFC.com/tickets, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
On the preparation for the next game... "We have reached the half-way stage of the season. We got some days to rest after eight games in a row. This week felt like a vacation for us. It was used for player recovery and to get them in shape for the game against Penn FC."
On the fan support... "The fan support means a lot to us. I expect to see a lot of fans in the stands. We have perhaps the most important game of this season coming up against Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship. Everyone knows how much that game means to us and for our project. So we expect to see a lot of fans in these home games that we are going to play."
Defender Onua Obasi
On the busy schedule... "In 25 days we have played eight games. It's been a very heavy schedule. But the players have been very smart about their recovery. The guys who have played big minutes have recovered very well."
On the opposition... "Penn FC have had a resurgence in the last month or so. Earlier in the season, they weren't this formidable an opponent as they are now. There's no way we will underestimate them. They have forwards in great form. Our defence has been very strong and we haven't been leaking goals. It's a good test."
On the comfort of home games... "Any player will tell you that playing for the home fans is a special experience, no matter how many games you have played in the league or professionally. When you have people in the stands cheering for you it pushes you even harder. And then there's the home comfort - of being able to eat your own food, set up correctly and to go into games being 100% prepared is a massive advantage."
Forward Daniel Haber
On joining Fury FC.... "I'm really excited to come here. I have heard great things about Ottawa as a club and I'm happy to be back playing in Canada."
On the type of player he is... "I'm very attacking-minded. I love to be creative in the final third and create goals. But really it's whatever the coach needs. I think you can see me playing in a number of attacking positions and hopefully create chances and score goals for this club."
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: David BARRIE
Assistants: Chantal BOUDREAU and Andre PICKLER
Fourth Official: Matt SOUARÃ
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