Preview: Atlético Ottawa v Cavalry FC August 21
August 19, 2022 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release
Facing a quick turnaround, Atlético Ottawa are given little time to rest on their laurels as they head out to Calgary, AB to face Cavalry FC in Sunday's Canadian Premier League action (KO 5.30 PM ET, live on OneSoccer). This is Head Coach Carlos González's first trip to Spruce Meadows in what is yet another pivotal clash in the race for the playoffs as we enter the business end of this season.
Having faced off twice at TD Place already this season, Cavalry FC are yet to beat Atleti who, as the all-time record indicates, tend to be a thorn in the side of the Albertan side.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's kick-off.
Atlético Ottawa currently sit joint top of the CPL table - with 35 points from 20 games - level with Forge FC and Pacific FC.
Sunday's opponents Cavalry FC complete the 'Top 4' with 34 points.
In the only midweek fixture, Atleti overcame HFX Wanderers in dramatic fashion as second-half substitute Iván Pérez scored a 91st-minute winner (his first for Atlético).
Pérez hadn't featured for over two months prior to Wednesday night after being sidelined with an injury.
Ottawa have now won 10 games this season (10-5-5), reaching double digits for the first time in franchise history.
It also continues the trend of González's side of bouncing back and avoiding back-to-back defeats (2 draws and 3 wins).
Midfielder Keven Alemán and defender Maxim Tissot also scored their first goals for the club against HFX Wanderers.
Alemán's cross-come-shot was a spectacular opener and was shown on ESPN's 'Top 10' segment later that night (coming in at #4).
González revealed that the build-up play for Tissot's goal (scored in a very similar fashion to Pérez's late winner) was something the team had been working on in training.
Cavalry FC will come into this match well rested with their last game coming on Saturday, August 12 at home to Forge FC (a 2-1 victory).
Head Coach Tommy Whealdon Jr.'s side boasts an impressive home record with 7 wins and 2 defeats in 2022
The head-to-head record this season leaves little to separate the two sides, with Atlético Ottawa winning on the opening day of the season followed by a 1-1 draw in July.
Atlético Ottawa's busy week will require even more creativity from Head Coach González who has to deal with load management, and injuries to Malcolm Shaw, Zach Verhoven and Zachary Roy, in addition to the one-game suspensions handed out to CB Diego Espejo and F Vladimir Moragrega for yellow card accumulation.
Record head-to-head (all-time): 4W-1D-1L; 10 goals scored, 6 goals conceded.
QUOTES
Drew Beckie, Atlético Ottawa Defender
"Three games in eight days is quite hard especially when it's in three different cities, but every team does it so it's not an excuse. Cavalry are very good at home and it'll be tough but we can strive to take positives off the last game when we came back to win, it was an impressive thing to see and show the growth of this team. We've had good results against Calgary over the last two years so we need to use that to our advantage, be smart defensively and get on the ball. If we do those things we have a good chance to win."
Canadian Premier League Stories from August 19, 2022
- FC Edmonton's Kairo Coore Returns to University; Bitar Will Stay with Club for Remainder of the Season - FC Edmonton
- Wanderers Sign Canadian U21 Defender Cristian Campagna - HFX Wanderers FC
- Preview: Atlético Ottawa v Cavalry FC August 21 - Atletico Ottawa
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.
