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USL Ottawa Fury FC

Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC vs. Charlotte Independence

March 16, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


OTTAWA - After seven weeks of careful preparation, it is finally here: the 2018 USL season, Ottawa's fifth professional season, is getting underway this Saturday in Charlotte when Fury FC face the Independence. It will also mark the first of four road games for Ottawa to open the year, a grueling task for the club eager to prove it made all the right changes this off season.

While Ottawa had the advantage head-to-head in 2017, capturing a home win and an away draw against Charlotte in two contests, one would be hard-pressed to establish any predictions for this weekend's match-up based off that information, both clubs having seen significant alterations to their rosters.

Having reached the playoffs in its past two USL seasons, Charlotte will have to juggle with the effects of a short preseason and multiple, late additions to the roster. In the past week alone, the Independence has signed two internationals and welcomed four players on loan from MLS affiliate Colorado Rapids.

Fury FC has also faced its share of challenges in preseason, from injuries to the very Canadian necessity of training under the dome. But the time General Manager Julian de Guzman and Head Coach Nikola Popovic spent recruiting and strategically identifying players that would fit the club's new culture has paid off, with the addition of playmakers and seasoned footballers that can bring a winning mentality back to Ottawa. We now look to Saturday's match to see if Fury FC players will answer their Head Coach's call for a team full of leaders; expect the leadership group, led by captain Carl Haworth and alternate captains Jamar Dixon and Colin Falvey, to guide them through this battle.

Charlotte Independence will be without the services of Alex Martinez on Saturday as he will be serving a suspension after being sent off for two cautions in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs last October. Independence assistant coach Troy Lesesne will also serve a one-game suspension after being dismissed from the bench area during that same contest.

Following Saturday's match in Charlotte, Fury FC will return to Ottawa for its first bye-week, before resuming the road trip that will take the club to Toronto (March 31), Tampa Bay (April 7) and Pittsburgh (April 14). Fury FC will return home for its own Home Opener at TD Place on Saturday, April 21 (2:00 pm kickoff).

Ottawa Fury FC season tickets for the 2018 USL season are still available starting at $247 for adults and $190 for youth. Single game tickets are now also on sale online at OttawaFuryFC.com/Tickets, by calling 613.232.6767 x1 or in person at the TD Place Box Office.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Head Coach Nikola Popovic

"We're now going to see the team on a full size pitch, outdoor. It will be challenging to see how they react after so many weeks of training in the dome."

"I really believe the team is going to be very competitive, I think we are going to fight for the result. I think they are ready to fight, but now let's see! I'm very confident that we're going to give a good performance."

Goalkeeper Callum Irving

"I think people are excited and anxious. It's been a long off season, a long time since we played our last real meaningful game, and for some of these guys it's their first time playing for the Fury. So I think everyone is excited and ready to get going."

"We'll just focus on us. We can look a little bit at what Charlotte did last year, but ultimately the focus is on what we can bring to a game and the stamp that we can leave on it. People know their jobs and are ready to get them done."

Defender Colin Falvey

"It's been a good preseason. We're very clear on how the coach wants us to play - he's been very refreshing since he came on and wants to possess the ball as much as possible - and I think that's going to be the case right from the start this weekend. I'm excited and hoping for a good start."

"It's difficult to prepare for a team you don't know much about. All you can do is study their play from last season, thinking they will play very similar, maybe with personnel changes, so that's what we're preparing for. But this week we've also prepared for different scenarios so whatever they want to throw at us we've got a good group and we're ready for that."

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Jonathan Bilkinski

Assistants: Benjamin Wooten and Gregory Brigman

Fourth Official: John Rush



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 16, 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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