MATCH RECAP: Fury FC Extend Unbeaten Streak to Five with Vital
Published on May 6, 2017 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
MATCH RECAP: Fury FC Extend Unbeaten Streak to Five with Vital Point against Rowdies
(Ottawa Fury FC)
OTTAWA,ON - Playing in their third match in eight days, Ottawa Fury FC scored a vital point in a scoreless draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on a wet and rainy Saturday afternoon. After withstanding some early pressure from the visitors, Ottawa had a strong performance against the now league-leading Rowdies highlighted by their sound defensive performance that produced a fourth shutout in five contests for Callum Irving, including Wednesday's 1-0 win over Edmonton in the Canadian Championship.
The Rowdies exerted pressure on Fury FC very early on, earning their first corner in the 3rd minute of the match. Justin Chavez believed he had put his Rowdies up 1-0 after beaming a strong header off the corner kick, into the back of Callum Irving's cage. After a quick discussion with his assistant, referee Yusri Rudolf determined that the play had been offside. With this early scare out of the way, Irving continued his run of brilliancy as he continued to be tested early on, denying several quality chances.
Fury FC defender Shane McEleney's afternoon came to an early close in the 8th minute as he came up lame after making a defensive dash. Edward who was expected to get some much-needed rest tonight came in to replace the towering Northern Irishman.
A lot of curious eyes were on Montreal Impact loanee Michael Salazar, who made his first appearance as a member of Fury FC playing 74 minute and allowing Paul Dalglish to rest some of his regulars in preparation for Wednesday's return leg in Edmonton. Sergio Manesio and Kyle Venter also made their first starts of the season for Fury FC - for Venter it was his first professional start in 18-months.
Jonathan Barden had a standout performance for Fury FC with a sound defensive game and generated a lot of energy going forward for Ottawa down the right side, with Aron Mkungilwa doing the same down the left flank, especially as the second half wore on.
Irving was tested on a couple of occasions in the second half but when he wasn't denying the Rowdies some timely challenges and blocks from Ramon Martin Del Campo and Venter helped keep the Rowdies scoreless.
The 83rd minute of the match saw a great build up play by Fury FC lead to their best chance of the match. The offensive push was created by a well-timed defensive interjection and subsequent rush down the left-hand side of the pitch from Mkungilwa. The diminutive Canadian defender delivered a cross into the box which eventually trickled to substitute Sito who then sent a cracker of a shot on target, forcing keeper Matt Pickens to dive to his left, punching the ball out of play. The build-up was representative of the Fury's ability to pick up their play in the late stages of the contest - an impressive display considering the number of heavy legs in the squad.
Fury FC will travel to Edmonton early next week for the second leg of the Canadian Championship Qualifying round Wednesday evening, before coming back to TD Place and hosting the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Saturday, May 13.
Fury FC single-game tickets 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.
Post-game comments:
Fury FC GM and Head Coach Paul Dalglish:
"With us playing Wednesday, it's a good point. It's a point earned against a really good team. Obviously, we want to win all our home games but the most important thing is that we don't lose and I think we've managed to get a point in both of our home games so far. Coming straight on the back of Edmonton, rotating players as well, I think it's a point earned and deserved. "
Fury FC forward, Michael Salazar:
"The ball was skipping a lot today. I was trying to judge it and control it as best as I could. Overall, I was pleased with my performance. It was my first game in a long time. I'm just trying to find my legs and get ready for the next game and be even better."
Fury FC goalkeeper, Callum Irving:
"I think it's a big point for us today, with another clean sheet. Each game, I barely have to make any saves. So, I think that's a credit to the guys in front of me, the defence, midfield and the forwards. We saw Ramon blocking a big shot inside the 18 today- its that kind of effort and workmanship that's going to keep getting us the shutouts."
Match Report
Starting XI:
Ottawa Fury FC (3-4-3): Irving; Venter, Martin Del Campo, McEleney (Edward 8'); Mkungilwa, Manesio, Rozeboom, Barden; Williams (Sito 61'), Dos Santos, Salazar (Dixon 74')
Tampa Bay Rowdies (4-2-3-1): Pickens; Schafer, Collins, Lowe, King; Vingaard, Chavez; Fernandes (Paterson 78'), Hristov, Nanchoff (Morrell 87'); Brown
2017 Record:
Ottawa Fury FC:
1W-3D-2L, 6 Points, 12th place (Eastern Conference)
Tampa Bay Rowdies
4W-2D-2L, 14 pts, 1st place (Eastern Conference)
Scoring Summary:
None
Caution Summary:
17' TBR - Hristov
29' TBR - Chavez
32' TBR - King
63' OTT - Salazar
Ejection Summary:
None
Attendance:
3840
Next Match: May 10 @ FC Edmonton - 9 p.m | Clarke Field
Next Home Match: May 13 vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 2 p.m | TD Place
Images from this story
 MATCH RECAP: Fury FC Extend Unbeaten Streak to Five with Vital Point against Rowdies |
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