Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC vs. Toronto FC II
September 25, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Coming off a difficult result in Louisville over the weekend but still fully in control of their playoff destiny, Ottawa Fury FC will look to turn the page quickly and regain momentum as they travel to Lamport Stadium for their third meeting against Toronto FC II this season on Wednesday evening.
It was only 20 days ago that the two sides last met in a whirlwind of a matchup that saw Fury FC come out on top with a 4-3 win. Ottawa have also been proficient in September historically, posting a record of eight wins, nine draws and three losses. With three games left in their regular season calendar and a goal of securing at minimum six points out of those, Fury FC will need to execute their game plan to a T to kick start things for the best.
On the other side, Toronto FC II is coming in off a difficult 4-0 loss to Bethlehem Steel FC over the weekend. In their three games at Lamport this season, the Young Reds are 0W-1D-2L, picking up the draw with top-ranked FC Cincinnati.
Ottawa currently sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in the league, but North Carolina FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and Nashville SC are following closely with games in hand. Even more important, this match against Toronto FC II is the only remaining one for Fury FC against an opponent ranked lower than them. Fury FC will also be without the services of defender Nana Attakora and midfielder Kevin Oliveira who have been suspended following their ejections on Saturday.
It will all be played on the pitch on Wednesday night for Ottawa. Fans can follow along by watching on OttawaFuryFC.com/Fury-Live or by tracking our live updates on Twitter @OttawaFuryFC.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"We have to focus on our next game. What happened, happened [in Louisville]. It's in the past. We cannot change the past but we can really affect the present, and we are focusing on our next game. I think we can expect an Ottawa team that will be strong, compact, aggressive that will try to win the game."
"We are in a position that we have to win our games, and if we win this game, then anything is going to be possible. We need to focus on what we can do, what we can control. And if we do this, and we are able to focus on this game, and give our best in this game, we will be fine."
Midfielder Chris Mannella
"It's a tough result we took on the road, but we looked at the film and looked at the positives we can take from it, and we build on that. Knowing that we got a result in Toronto last time, we work on all the stuff that we have to and try to get three points over there."
On going to play in front of his friends and family..."Playing at home, I grew up at this field, spend so many hours there, training, games in the academy, so obviously [it adds to it]. But ultimately it is still a soccer match so we still have to take the three points, we have to go there and get the job done and come home."
Forward Adonijah Reid
"The Louisville game is a game to forget. We still have a chance to get in the playoffs so we just have to put our minds forward for the next match we're about to play."
"Toronto is where I'm from, so I'm kind of looking forward to playing back home in front of family and friends. It would be nice to get a goal again, for the team, maybe the winning goal in front of my family!"
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Yusri RUDOLF
Assistants: Chantal BOUDREAU & Peter PENDLI
Fourth Official: Farbuzui STASOLLA
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