CPL Atletico Ottawa

Preview: Atlético Ottawa v Valour FC July 20

July 18, 2022 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release


Atlético Ottawa host Valour FC at TD Place for the second and final time in the regular season when Phil Dos Santos' team takes to the field on Wednesday night (KO 7 PM ET, live on OneSoccer). Due to the last-minute rescheduling of this fixture, neither side has played since the weekend of July 9-10, 2022 with these two play-off contenders eager to take their respective strides towards the summit of the Canadian Premier League.

Having been held to 1-1 draw last time out against top-of-the-league Cavalry FC (during our hit Atleti Beach Party night), Carlos González's men will be hoping to build on yet another impressive display.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday's kick-off.

Atlético Ottawa currently sit in 3rd place in the CPL, trailing league leaders Cavalry FC by only three points - hear Head Coach González discuss the 'battle for 1st place' here.

Ottawa have two games in hand on the team directly above them (Pacific FC) whilst only trailing by 1 point.

A victory against Valour FC could open up a 9-point gap between Atleti and a non-playoff finish.

Ottawa will look to continue their 3-match unbeaten streak during which they allowed only one goal against.

Forward Ballou Tabla will be a player to keep an eye on this week as the former-CF Montréal and Barcelona forward continues to gain confidence, reflected in his recent performances.

Ballou's equalizing effort against Cavalry FC was his second goal of the season, earning him a week 14 CPL Player of the Week title.

The 23-year-old also has three assists, the second most in the CPL.

In the last meeting with Valour, Atleti walked away with a convincing 1-0 victory in Winnipeg, courtesy of Zach Verhoven's 74th-minute goal.

Dos Santos' side are in a fine vein of form coming into Wednesday's match, having picked up 10 points of out a possible 15 in their last five games.

In fact, Valour are on a three-game winning streak which includes impressive away wins in York and Hamilton.

Ontario has clearly proven a happy hunting ground for Valour having won every game they've played in the province so far this season.

Record head-to-head (all time): 2W-0D-4L; 6 goals scored, 15 goals conceded

Quotes

Carlos González, Atlético Ottawa Head Coach

"It's going to be a very important game in fight for the playoffs. After a tough, long week of preparation, we are going to fight against an opponent that is growing collectively and that are, each time, becoming more and more comfortable with different situations in games. It's a great opportunity again for us to continue our line of improvement and - like always - a chance to fight for three more points in front of our fans who always bring an electric atmosphere at TD Place."

IN OTHER NEWS

Atlético Ottawa announced on Monday the arrival of 19-year-old Canadian midfielder Owen (Robert) Antoniuk to the Nation's Capital, on loan from Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the remainder of the Canadian Premier League season, effective immediately.

Check out the Atletico Ottawa Statistics



Canadian Premier League Stories from July 18, 2022


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