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USL Ottawa Fury FC

Montreal Impact Claim Inaugural CapCity Cup

September 7, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC were inches away from tying the game, but the Montreal Impact held on to a 1-0 lead and won the inaugural CapCity Cup in front of 6,321 fans on a beautiful Friday evening at TD Place Stadium.

With Ottawa having played in a USL match the day before, Nikola Popovic sent out a lineup full of trialists. The young players looking to impress the professional club brought plenty of energy to what was destined to be a hotly-contested affair.

The first opportunity of the game came for the Impact. Six minutes in, the ball was worked across the box to Chris Duvall, who sliced his shot wide.

Ottawa showed some push back ten minutes later. Daniel Haber had an off-balance attempt from a sharp angle that caused problems for Impact keeper Clément Diop. Diop was forced to punch the looping attempt out for a corner.

On the ensuing corner kick, Azake Luboyera attempted a low header, but it was expelled by the Montreal defence.

Midway through the first half, the Impact fed a ball through to Mathieu Choinière. However, the attacker was muscled off the ball by Ottawa native and Fury FC trialist Hansly Felix Malonga. Three-quarters of the Fury FC backline were local products, as Malonga, Jadon Vilfort and Eddie Edward all hail from Ottawa and played youth soccer in the area.

Choinière was involved in the Impact offence again a few moments later. He found himself with a good look at goal from 20 yards out and tried to place a low shot into the bottom corner. Callum Irving had other ideas and made a slick diving save.

Montreal got on the board when Clément Bayiha found the back of the net with a long, looping shot in the 37th minute. Bayiha is on contract with Fury FC, but had been loaned and was appearing for the Impact in the friendly match.

The first half would end with the visitors having the majority of the possession and leading 1-0.

The half-time saw the introduction of Canadian international Simeon Jackson for Fury FC, along with fellow Canuck Adonijah Reid.

Ottawa had the first opportunity of the second half a minute in. Reid delivered a perfect corner right onto the head of Thiago de Freitas. A powerful header from the Brazilian forced Diop into a desperation save.

Irving stopped a sure Impact goal in the 56th minute. Anthony Jackson-Hamel cut to the byline and curled a shot toward the top corner. Irving got a strong palm to the ball and directed it wide.

Local boy Malonga made another nice defensive play in moments later. Matteo Mancosu darted into the box, but a slide from Malonga blocked a low cross and the danger was cleared.

Ottawa had an opportunity to pull even in the 76th minute. A low cross wreaked havoc in the Montreal penalty area and Shawn-Claud Lawson had a low shot. The attempt was knocked off the goal line and out.

Fury FC had another quality chance minutes later. Reid got to the byline and tried to chip the Montreal goalkeeper. His shot danced across the goal line, but would not go.

Despite the late pressure by Ottawa, the 1-0 scoreline held, and the Impact took home the inaugural CapCity Cup.

Ottawa will continue hunting for the playoffs in the USL when they travel to take on the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, September 15 (KO 7:00 p.m.). Fury FC beat Richmond at home earlier in the season and a vital three points are on the line.

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Head Coach Nikola Popovic

"It was a surreal game for us, having in consideration that some of these players played 24 hours before in a very exciting and intense game against Toronto, and that some of these players have never played together before. Taking into consideration all of these factors, we were able to play a good game against a very good team."

"I think the boys started a bit nervous. As the game progressed, we were able to stabilize and create some chances. I think today, Montreal was better and deserved to win."

Forward Adonijah Reid

"With the amount of chances we had in the second half, if we had put one in it would have been a different game. They're a good team, but we're a good team too. If we had converted one or two of those chances, it would have been a very different game."

MATCH REPORT

Starting XI

Ottawa Fury FC (4-4-2): Irving; Felix Malonga, Manesio, Vilfort, Edward ©; de Freitas (73' N. Garcia), Luboyera (66' Gagnon-Laparé), Haber (45' Lawson), Sanon (45' Reid); Balbinotti (45' Jackson), Samb (77' R. Garcia)

Montreal Impact (5-3-2): Diop (66' Pantemis); Duvall (66' Lovitz), Cabrera ©, Camacho (66' Amarikwa), Diallo, Bayiha (66' Sagna); Krolicki, Shome, Choinière; Mancosu (66' Silva), Jackson-Hamel

Scoring Summary

37' MTL - Bayiha

Caution Summary

45' OTT - Manesio

78' MTL - Choinière

Attendance

6,321

Next Match: Saturday, September 15 v Richmond Kickers - 7:00 p.m. - City Stadium

Next Home Match: Sunday, September 30 v Bethlehem Steele FC - 1:00 p.m. - TD Place

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