MATCH RECAP: Fury FC Advance to Canadian Championship Semifinals;
May 11, 2017 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA,ON - The Battle of the North will continue for Ottawa Fury FC as the club advanced to the Canadian Championship Semifinals on Wednesday booking them a home-and-home series against the five-time Canadian Champions and current Voyageurs Cup holders Toronto FC. Ottawa will host TFC Tuesday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Place. Tickets for the Canadian Championship Semifinals will go on sale Thursday morning.
Fury FC claimed a 4-2 aggregate win over NASL side FC Edmonton in the preliminary round of the Canadian Championship, with another solid performance Wednesday evening. With the 3-2 win at Clarke Stadium, Fury FC also extended their unbeaten streak to six games. Steevan Dos Santos lead Ottawa's offence with two goals that followed a remarkable opening goal from Sito Seoane in the opening minute.
Ottawa came into Wednesday's game carrying a 1-0 lead and they took care of business once again with a crucial 3-2 win in a wild match in Edmonton. Fury FC drew first blood and put themselves in a good position to claim the aggregate win with a clutch away goal that came in the first minute of the match.
Sito Seoane scored the fastest goal in club history (39 seconds) and the second fastest goal in the Canadian Championship history when he intercepted a ball behind Edmonton's defence going on a breakaway. Sito made no mistake and put the ball between Tyson Farago's legs to give Ottawa a 1-0 (2-0 aggregate) lead netting a vital away goal.
The Eddies would tie the game in the 31st minute when Jake Keegan capitalized on an unfortunate mistake from Callum Irving to make it 1-1 (2-1 Ottawa on agg.). Ottawa would score a second goal before the end of the first half when Dos Santos scored his first of the game on a penalty kick in the 37th minute. Fury FC headed to the locker room with a 2-1 lead (3-1 on agg.).
In the second half, down 3-1 on aggregate, FC Edmonton opened up the play and pushed everyone forward. The Eddies were able to tie the game 2-2 (3-2 Ottawa on agg.) just after the hour mark when Nik Ledgerwood found Sainey Nyassi in the box and Nyassi would pull Edmonton back in the game.
In the 67th minute Pap Diakité was issued a red card and the Eddies found themselves down a man when they were in need of two goals. Despite a late push from FC Edmonton, Ottawa's sound defensive play would allow the team to counterattack and score the insurance goal four minutes into stoppage time, when Dos Santos netted his second of the game after a nice feed from Jamar Dixon.
Ottawa will now host Toronto FC in the first leg of the semifinals May 23rd at TD Place, before traveling to Toronto for the second leg, May 31 at the BMO Field.
Tickets for that will go on sale Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at OttawaFuryFC.com, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
Post-game comments:
Fury FC GM and Head Coach Paul Dalglish:
"This is massive for us. We wanted to make this a priority at the beginning of the season and make sure we get through this first round to bring an MLS team to TD Place and I couldn't be more proud of the players after what they achieved tonight. We've got wonderful fans and they deserve to see MLS football in our fantastic stadium. That was our mission and we've done that."
On Facing Toronto FC:
"They're the best Canadian team ever in my opinion. They're at the top of the conference now and with the stars that they have it's a wonderful occasion for us to host them and that's been our goal ever since the draw has been made."
Match Report
Starting XI:
Ottawa Fury FC (3-4-3): Irving; Obasi, Martin Del Campo, McEleney; Campbell, Rozeboom, Dixon, Edward (Barden 46'); Sito (Manesio 62'), Dos Santos, Williams (Sanon 77')
FC Edmonton (4-1-4-1): Farago; Sansara (Straith 50'), Diakité, Watson, Nicklaw; Zebie; Nyassi; Shiels (Khattab 46'), Ledgerwood, Dustin; Keegan
Scoring Summary:
1' OTT - Sito
30' EDM - Keegan
37' OTT - Dos Santos (PK)
61' EDM - Nyassi (Ledgerwood)
90+4' OTT - Dos Santos
Caution Summary:
52' EDM - Zebie
62' EDM - Diakité
74' EDM - Ameobi
87' OTT - McEleney
Ejection Summary:
67' EDM - Diakité
Next Match: May 13 vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 2 p.m | TD Place
Next Home Match: May 13 vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 2 p.m | TD Place
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