NASL Ottawa Fury FC

Match Preview: Dos Santos Expects Intense Affair as Rivalry Heats up Between Ottawa and Edmonton

Published on May 28, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


OTTAWA, ON (May 28, 2015) - Perhaps calling the Ottawa and Edmonton match-up a 'rivalry' last season might have been a stretch. But the two teams laid a foundation in 2014 for what has arguably become a fantastic Canadian rivalry that added two more chapters last month in Amway Canadian Championship action.

"In my opinion, this is probably the best rivalry in the NASL," said Fury FC bench boss Marc Dos Santos who expects no love lost between these two teams on Friday night. "Our games against Edmonton are always very intense."

After a pair of back-to-back defeats, FC Edmonton found a winning recipe against Atlanta last weekend, while a late Nicki Paterson goal and another sound defensive performance lifted Fury FC to their first victory in over month, both clubs come enter Friday level on points and aiming to build on their Week 7 results.

"It will take a collective effort and a lot of concentration if we want to succeed," remarked Dos Santos. "Both teams are coming from good results, so this will definitely be a great challenge."

While FC Edmonton might have the mental edge having already defeating Fury FC twice this season by identical 3-1 score lines in Amway Canadian Championship action, Ottawa appears to have exorcised the demons that tormented them on defence and have surrendered just one goal in their last three matches. The offense is another matter, but with Paterson's match-winner ending the goalless drought earning Fury FC all the points against Indy, there is growing confidence where

Ottawa's offensive game is concerned and the chances continue to be there.

In 2014, FC Edmonton proved themselves among the best defensive sides in the NASL. That has not been the case in 2015. Despite goalkeeper John Smits winning the NASL Golden Glove last season, the Eddies signed Minnesota United keeper Matt VanOekel who has conceded 15 of the 17 goals Edmonton has surrendered - the most goals given up in the NASL this season. Edmonton has also yielded a goal inside the opening 15 minutes of the match on three occasions this season.

Where they have struggled on defence, FC Edmonton has made up on offense leading the league with 15 goals thanks in large part to the forward tandem of Tomi Ameobi and Daryl Fordyce, the speedy winger Lance Laing and the experience midfielder Ritchie Jones who have collectively scored 13 of the Eddies 15 goals. Edmonton has scored at least two goals in each of the last five matches.

Friday's match is the first of three road games to close out the spring season for FC Edmonton who have yet to earn any points away from Clarke Field in their two NASL road games thus far in 2015.

After briefly returning to the line-up against Indy, both Richie Ryan and Tom Heinemann have again been sidelined by injury, joining Oliver and Phil Davies on the injured list.

The NASL standings remain tight through eight weeks of play seeing Fury FC one victory outside of a possible position in the post-season. Through 40 games in the NASL this season, 14 have ended in a draw, 17 have been decided by one goal, 8 have been decided by two goals and one has been decided by three goals.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Robert Schaap

Assistants: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho and Peter Pendli

Fourth Official: Pierre-Luc Lauziere

Fury FC hit the road to complete the NASL Spring campaign with games in Jacksonville (June 7) and San Antonio (June 13). Tickets to the Fall Season opener July 5 and all Fall Season matches are available at OttawaFuryFC.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 28, 2015


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