Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC vs. Atlanta United 2
August 6, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Flash-back to a charged-up June 16 evening that started with a lengthy weather delay at Coolray Field, pushing the start of the match to past 10 p.m. instead of the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff. What was meant to be Ottawa Fury FC's first and only visit to Atlanta saw the match suspended in the 44th minute of play due to severe weather. That is the match both teams will look to conclude this Tuesday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Back in June, Atlanta came out roaring, squeaking through Ottawa's defense in the early minutes, seeing what seemed to be a cross by Andrew Carleton deflected past Crépeau to give Atlanta an early 1-0 lead. Lead that wouldn't stand for long. Fury FC's midfield pushed ahead on the counter-attack and following a crafty dribbling run, Kevin Oliveira's bottom corner shot slid in behind Hildebrandt, levelling the score within the opening 10 minutes. That 1-1 scoreline would be the one both teams took home when the match got suspended with less than a minute to play in the first half.
On Tuesday, teams will meet again, following the strange set of circumstances, to finish the match. As per the agreement with the league, both clubs will be allowed to make up to six changes to their formation - some changes being necessary for Fury FC following injuries and player movement - and will retain their three substitutions for the remaining 46 minutes or so. Teams will jump on the field to complete the first half, and, following a short break, will continue to round up the 90 minutes of regulation.
Fury FC, coming off a decisive 2-0 win at home against a stacked Tampa Bay Rowdies team, will look to continue their upward trajectory, climbing the USL Eastern Conference standings with more dynamic wins. Not only has their style of play been showing constant signs of improvement, they have seen their resilient work rewarded with more opportunities and threatening chances created.
Ottawa, eager to capture three more valuable points on the road, will want to make quick work of this Atlanta United 2 opponent in another short week, before traveling to First Tennessee Park to face Nashville on Friday night. Fury FC will then return home to TD Place for two matches, all crucial fixtures on the road to the 2018 USL Playoffs.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
On playing half a match... "It's the same opportunity as any game. Every single game, three points, this has to be our ambition. This game against Atlanta, it's a strange one [because of delay between two portions]. Now we're going to have different players, having to play 45 minutes. It's a very difficult task because you have to decide the game in 45 minutes. There is no space for mistakes. So we have to be very focused." ?
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Aleksandar ZHELYAZKOV
Assistants: James McKEAN & Thomas BRIGMAN
Fourth Official: Brandon ADAMS
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 6, 2018
- FC Cincinnati and Hoxworth Blood Center Partner for FCC Blood Drives - FC Cincinnati
- Lights FC to Host Free Poolside Watch Party at Plaza Hotel & Casino for Key Road Match at Saint Louis FC - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Indy Eleven Sends United Way Donor to 2018 MLS All-Star Game as Part of "High $5 Challenge" - Indy Eleven
- Match Preview: Atlanta United 2 vs Ottawa Fury FC - Atlanta United 2
- FC Cincinnati Collects More Than 1,000 New Accounts for 2019 Season Tickets - FC Cincinnati
- Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC vs. Atlanta United 2 - Ottawa Fury FC
- Louisville City FC Weekly Update - Louisville City FC
- Roughnecks Host OKC Wednesday in Black Gold Derby - FC Tulsa
- Fury FC Add Depth with Arrival of Daniel Kinumbe - Ottawa Fury FC
- USL leaders look to extend 11-match unbeaten run in "White Out" match against Penn FC - FC Cincinnati
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.
