Ottawa Carries 10-Match Unbeaten Streak in Jacksonville with Fall Season Championship up for Grabs
Published on October 20, 2015 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (October 20, 2015) - One Team. One Vision. A statement that sums up the 2015 season for Fury FC ever so well. A team with a unified vision that now finds itself ONE point from capturing the first piece of silverware in club history - the Fall Season Championship - that would earn them home field advantage for the Championship Semifinal.
"Sunday moved us one step closer to a big goal of ours - winning the fall season," said Mauro Eustaquio who netted the match-winner on Sunday to pull Ottawa to within a point of achieving this feat.
The 22-year-old Canadian midfielder has flourished in his second professional season was pragmatic it what remains ahead. "We haven't accomplished anything yet, but step-by-step we are coming closer to reaching our ultimate goal."
Ottawa's step-by-step, one-game-at-a-time approach, has perhaps been one of the most crucial elements to their success over the last 22 matches where the club has suffered defeat just once (13W-8D-1L).
The next 'step' is a big one for Ottawa Fury FC and comes Wednesday night in Jacksonville against the expansion Armada. While the first-year club has had their struggles that Ottawa could well relate to, one area where the NASL newcomers have not struggled is at home.
"We have a huge opportunity in front of us and we want to embrace this moment," said head coach Marc Dos Santos. "It is important that we stay focused, we manage well our emotions and keep our eyes on the target. Jacksonville is very strong playing at home and still has a chance of making the postseason."
Community First Park has been a harbour of success for the Armada whose fleet have fallen just once at home and are currently riding a 9-match home unbeaten streak (5W-4D-0L). For the second straight match, Ottawa meet a side faced with a must-win scenario. Jacksonville need all three points and need to see Fort Lauderdale drop points to remain in the hunt for the fourth and final postseason berth that appears to become a two horse race between the Strikers and Rowdies.
Jacksonville will be without the services of two key players due to suspension. Leading scorer
Alhassane Keita received a red card in Saturday night's 3-2 win over FC Edmonton while midfielder Lucas Scaglia also picked up a card, his was yellow, that force the Armada's minutes-played leader to serve a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
While the Armada have proven dominant at home, Fury FC have run a steady course away from TD Place. Ottawa carries their NASL-record 10-match road unbeaten streak (6W-4D-0L) into Jacksonville pitting the hottest road team against the hottest home team on Wednesday night.
With captain Richie Ryan missing action for a third straight match, goalkeeper Romuald Peiser will wear the captain's armband looking to set the NASL record for wins in a season with a 15th victory after equalling record on Sunday where he also stamped his name in the NASL record books yet again with his 14th shutout of the season. Peiser's performance has only further cemented his candidacy for the NASL Golden Ball (MVP) whiles his stats have him leading the race for the Golden Glove award as the league's top keeper.
Wednesday night's focus is squarely on capturing the Fall Season Championship, but Ottawa also in the hunt for the first overall seed and need 5-points (combination of points won by Ottawa or lost by New York) to top the Combined Standings.
After their midweek clash in Jacksonville, Ottawa will have a 10-day break before closing out the NASL Regular Season in Atlanta against the Silverbacks on October 31 (4:00pm). Fans can purchase tickets to the Championship Semifinal and Final at OttawaFuryFC.com where they call also renew or buy Season Tickets for 2016.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Marcos De Oliveira
Assistants: Guido Gonzalez Jr. and Nick Uranga
Fourth Official: Rubiel Vazquez
North American Soccer League Stories from October 20, 2015
- Match Notes: San Antonio Scorpions at Fort Lauderdale Strikers: October 21, 2015 - San Antonio Scorpions
- Ottawa Carries 10-Match Unbeaten Streak in Jacksonville with Fall Season Championship up for Grabs - Ottawa Fury FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
