Match Preview: Fury FC Look to Bounce Back against Rowdies
May 8, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (May 8, 2015) - Following a date with the first place New York Cosmos last weekend in Brooklyn, Ottawa Fury FC host the second place Tampa Bay Rowdies this Saturday kicking off a three-game home stand that keeps them in the Nation's Capital for the rest of the month. While recent results might suggest that Fury FC need to make major changes, perhaps a dose of good fortune might be all that is needed to 'bounce back'.
Statistically Ottawa Fury FC are doing a lot of things right. They lead the league in shots, have scored in four of their five matches and have out chanced and held more possession than the opposition in almost every game.
Head Coach Marc Dos Santos knows is confident that his squad is up to the challenge to get back on track.
"This group of players has always shown great commitment to this club and we see Saturday's game has a great opportunity to bounce back."
"It is important to react well after our last two league games," added Dos Santos. "We know things could change really fast in this League and that every game must be treated like a Final."
Through 25 games in the NASL this season, 11 have ended in a draw, 9 have been decided by one goal and 5 have been decided by two goals. Ottawa comes into Saturday's fixture one victory (3 points) out of the top four and just four points back of the second place Rowdies.
In last Saturday's bout against the league-leading Cosmos, Fury FC held New York to three shots and just a single goal, but unfortunately they were unable to crack the league's best defensive side who have conceded just once in five games this season. A much improved defensive performance was a great boost of confidence to the squad who will now aim to perfect their scoring touch this Saturday against a Rowdies who have surrendered five goals in their previous three matches.
Tampa's success to start the 2015 comes as no surprise given their extensive off-season roster overhaul that included a new Head Coach in Thomas Rongen and adding four members from the NASL Soccer Bowl runners-up (Fort Lauderdale Strikers) and several players with MLS experience including former TFC captain Maicon Santos. Georgi Hristov and Maicon Santos provide the offensive threats for Tampa, but both with miss Saturday's fixture with Hristov suspended and Santos sidelined with an injury. The twin-towers of Tamika Mkandawire (6'2) and Stefan Antonijevic (6'6) are the two imposing figures that uphold the Rowdies towering back line.
Captain Richie Ryan remains sidelined, but the upcoming bye-week should do the Irish native well as he aims a return later this month. Tom Heinemann joins Ryan and Phil Davies on the sidelines this weekend after picking up a knock against the Cosmos. Mike Randolph, Oliver and Paulo Junior remain question marks for Saturday's match as the injury bug that bit the club in the early stages of 2014 appears to have returned again this season.
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