NASL Ottawa Fury FC

Match Preview: Unbeaten in Eight Straight, Ottawa Takes Aim at First Place in the NASL

Published on July 21, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


OTTAWA, ON (July 21, 2015) - Going into the week, pundits suggested that this three-game home stand could very well define the season for Fury FC. So far, so good. Ottawa extended their unbeaten streak to eight games on Sunday with a 4-2 win over Indy Eleven highlighted by two world-class goals from Captain Richie Ryan putting Fury FC on the cusp of unchartered waters - first place!

"Wednesday will be a big opportunity for us to reach a position that we have never reached before," said Head Coach Marc Dos Santos. "We need to show a lot of will and character if we want to get the full 3 points. Atlanta is a very dangerous team and we are all aware of that. We need to be organized and take our chances to succeed."

Three points on Wednesday night would not only give Fury FC the outright lead in the NASL Fall Standings, putting them two points clear of Canadian rivals FC Edmonton, but it would put them into the top four in the NASL combined standings - also a club first.

While the benefit from three points on Wednesday night is clear, Dos Santos and company are not looking past Atlanta knowing that each of these three home games this week must be addressed one at a time.

"This midweek game is very crucial for us," said Tom Heinemann who has scored a goal in each of the team's past three matches. "This is our game in hand. We need to take advantage of it and try for three more points and if we can do that we'll be setup very nicely for Sunday."

Atlanta opened the 2015 campaign going unbeaten in their first five matches (1W-4D-0L) that included a 1-1 draw with Fury FC in the second week of the season. After the first five matches, however, the Silverbacks would go winless to close out the Spring Season going 0-1-4. With some new additions during the midseason break and a change in formation, Atlanta has had a promising start to the Fall Season producing a 1-1-1 record inside their opening three matches. Strikers Shaka Bangura and Jaime Chavez are the two offensive weapons in the Atlanta attack, but perhaps the Silverbacks biggest weapon is their size - 19 of their 25 players stand six feet or taller with goalkeeper Steward Ceus topping the growth chart at 6'6.

Dos Santos voiced his displeasure with the team's performance in the first half of Sunday's win over Indy, but the message was received loud and clear during halftime as Ottawa proved a much more dominant side in possession in the second frame producing several scoring opportunity beyond those converted.

During the clubs 8-game unbeaten run they have outscored the opposition 8-3 with seven of those goals coming in their last three matches and with offensive production coming from sources other than Tom Heinemann, it is a crucial time for offensive contributions to come from throughout the line-up.

Midfielder Nicki Paterson underwent successful ACL surgery on Monday, but will be out for the season. Midfielder Julian De Guzman is day-to-day after picking up a leg injury against Indy. Oliver returned to action following a scary injury the previous weekend in Minnesota and midseason acquisition Aly Alberto Hassan made his Fury FC debut in Sunday's win coming on as a second half substitute.

The home stand closes out on Sunday afternoon at 3pm against NASL Player of the Week Nacho Novo and the Carolina RailHawks. Tickets to these and Fall Season matches are available at OttawaFuryFC.com.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Francis Latulippe

Assistants: Lyes Arfa and Gianni Facchini

Fourth Official: Chris Grabas

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 21, 2015


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