Match Preview: Fury FC Look to Make History in Toronto
Published on May 30, 2017 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
Ottawa Fury FC @ Toronto FC - CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS (Second Leg)
Kickoff: Wednesday May 31, 2017 - 7:00 p.m. - BMO Field
BROADCAST INFO
Tv: TSN
Live stream: TSN GO and TSN.ca/Live
English Radio: TSN1200
French Radio: N/A
TWITTER: Follow @OTTAWAFURYFC for LIVE updates
OTTAWA, ON - Fury FC stare down the biggest opportunity in club history Wednesday night in Toronto in the second leg of the Canadian Championship Semifinal. Carrying a 2-1 lead after a dramatic win at TD Place last week, the fourth-year club aims to add another chapter to its history book by punching its ticket to the Canadian Championship Final.
Their impressive performance in the opening leg last Wednesday puts Fury FC in the driver's seat, but with a lot of work still to do and Toronto FC having that coveted away goal to their advantage. Ottawa enter Wednesday's return leg riding a three-game winning streak and growing in confidence as its offence appears to have found its form.
Wednesday's fixture marks the fourth game in 12 days for Fury FC who have won the previous three outdueling their opposition by an 11-7 margin. The recent offensive success is also due to the fact that the club is producing more scoring chances and the quality around goal has also improved. In their last five games, Fury FC generated 74 shots - with 32 of them on target.
Leading the offence for the nation's capital is the American-born Spaniard - Sito. The striker netted a brace this past Saturday and has scored in each of his last three games, including the match-winner over TFC last Tuesday at TD Place. The red-hot Sito has five goals in his last five contests while Englishman Ryan Williams has also served as a sparkplug in getting Ottawa's attack going.
After hearing from their critics following the loss in Ottawa in the first leg, Toronto FC silenced them with an impressive 5-0 bashing of Columbus Friday night at BMO Field extending their MLS unbeaten streak to eight matches (7W-1D-0L).
After 14 games in MLS this season, TFC are currently first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8W-5D-1L good for 29 points. Toronto has the second best offence in the Major League Soccer, with 26 goals scored and have the best defence in the East having conceded only 12 goals.
With just two wins in their first three years in the Canadian Championship (2W-1D-5L), Fury FC have been outstanding in their quest for the Voyageurs Cup in 2017 winning all three of their fixtures and outscoring their opposition 6-3.
Wednesday night, however, it is likely going to require the best-ever 90-minute performance if they hope to oust the current Voyageurs Cup holders and punch their ticket to the Championship Final.
BMO Field served as a historic venue for the Ottawa REDBLACKS last November where they won the 104th Grey Cup. Fury FC and the REDBLACKS are both owned and operated by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), who hope for another memorable night at BMO Field.
The winner (on aggregate score) will advance to the Canadian Championship Final and face the winner of Montreal Impact/Vancouver Whitecaps who meet at Stade Saputo on Tuesday night.
Fury FC's next home match is June 10 at 7 p.m. versus the Harrisburg City Islanders. Tickets for that game and every other Fury FC home Game and Season tickets for the 2017 USL season are available at OttawaFuryFC.com, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
What are they saying?
Fury FC GM and Head Coach, Paul Dalglish:
"We're in a really good moment right now and it's much easier to recover from games when you're winning. We're ready. All the pressure is on TFC, nobody expects us to get anything from the game. So, I've told the players to enjoy it and savor the moment, but we're not going there as tourists, we're going there to get a result and that's what we're going to do by playing our style of football."
Fury FC Midfielder, Ryan Williams:
"We've been scoring goals, we won our three games last week so we are feeling very confident at the moment. Toronto is one of the, if not the, best MLS team currently, so we know it's going to be hard especially in their backyard. But as I said, we have great belief in our squad right now. We go into every game believing that we can win and score goals. So, if we can match our offensive and defensive game together, we'll achieve great things.
Fury FC Defender, Shane McEleney:
"Away from home, we expect a very tough game, but we have a positive group and we're going there with a positive mindset. We're looking forward to the challenge, it's one of those games where everyone embraces it and step up for the challenge. I think we need to be patient and play our own game. Hopefully we can get the first goal, because if we do, it would give us a huge advantage."
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Geoff Gamble
Assistants: Joe Fletcher and Micheal Barwegen
Fourth Official: Yusri Rudolf
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 30, 2017
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- Match Preview: Fury FC Look to Make History in Toronto - Ottawa Fury FC
- Tyler Polak Earns USL Team of the Week Recognition - FC Cincinnati
- Sito Scores Spot on USL Team of the Week - Ottawa Fury FC
- Reno's Antoine Hoppenot Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- Reno's Antoine Hoppenot Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- Jordan Burt Named to USL Team of the Week - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- San Antonio FC Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo Named to USL Team of The Week - San Antonio FC
- LouCity's Kaye Called up to Canadian National Team - Louisville City FC
- USL's Week Ahead: U.S. Open Cup, Ottawa's Canadian Championship Run Take Center Stage Before Week 11 - USL
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