USL Ottawa Fury FC

Resolute Defending Not Enough for Fury FC to Secure Points

Published on August 31, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release


Ottawa Fury FC vs New York Red Bulls II
Ottawa Fury FC vs New York Red Bulls II
(Ottawa Fury FC, Credit: New York Red Bulls II / USL)

OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC travelled to Montclair, NJ, on Friday night to face New York Red Bulls II, a team they had shut-out twice already this season. Despite more spectacular saves by Fury FC's keeper Crépeau throughout the match, Ottawa could not repeat the feat and conceded the 1-0 result to the New York Red Bulls II.

Canadian content was once more in the forefront for Fury FC on the night, Head Coach Popovic featuring seven Canadians on his starting formation, including goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau who was playing his last Fury FC match before joining the Canadian Men's National Team for the country's first Concacaf Nations League qualifying match.

Despite solid early efforts by the Fury FC backline, New York opened the score in the 9th minute after the ball deflected towards Red Bulls Stroud whose left footed shot from the centre of the box found the bottom left corner of Ottawa's net to give the home team a 1-nil lead.

Fury FC created chances of their own, the first couple of them coming in the 15th minute when they earned a pair of consecutive corner kicks that were punched out by Louro to keep his club on top. Ottawa remained compact at the back, loading their defensive third when needed to face New York's attacks.

In the 32nd minute, the Fury FC top three connected in a combination for their best chance of the night until then, closing it with a dangerous shot from the right corner of the six-yard box by Tony Taylor that rung the upright and bounced out.

Thanks to continued tight defending and some stellar saves by Crépeau - three in the first half - Ottawa went into the half trailing only by one, looking forward to re-establish their rhythm in the second period.

Fury FC was dealt a tough blow in the 54th minute when a scramble in front of the Ottawa goal was capped off by a goal-line save by defender Eddie Edward, who was unfortunately sent off on a straight red for clear denial of goal as the ball hit his hand in the keeper's box. As focused as ever, Crépeau stepped up big for his club and saved the resulting penalty kick - his second denied PK of the season - keeping the scoreline at 1-nil going into the final 30 minutes of pay. Fury FC would nevertheless have to continue their fight a man down for the rest of the match.

Captain doing captain things, Haworth looked to boost his squad and get the ball rolling, creating Fury FC's first chance of the second frame as he used his speed to push up along the right wing to finish it with a powerful shot on frame, saved by NYBII Louro.

Facing numerous strikes from New York, Fury FC showed incredible resilience and will to fight as they resisted and kept the Red Bulls II at bay. Again, Crépeau's skills were on display as the keeper did everything in his power to keep his side in the game.

Ottawa did not stop looking for that equalizing goal, going full speed and putting together some threatening opportunities until the very last minute of play. Their determination would not be rewarded however and the early Red Bulls II goal would stand as the only scoring on the night, Ottawa dropping the 1-0 result in New York.

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Head Coach Nikola Popovic

"I saw a first half that was an even game. We were able to create some chances. We had some good moments of possession, some moments when we had superiority in their third. Some corners that we weren't able to put the ball in the back of the net. They scored the goal. In the second half I think we were getting some momentum, but then the penalty and the red card. Even if the team was able to react and to fight until the end, it wasn't possible to bring the points home."

On one thing missing... "What was missing this game was the capacity to finish the chances. I think we have to do that. We are able to create, we are close to the goal, but we just cannot find the net. We have to be able to score."

On what the team did well... "The collective play. How we defended, how we were able to create some attack, and how we were able to react in a difficult situation, playing 11 against ten. The shape that we were able to create and make it uncomfortable for New York even if they were playing up a man, I think that is the part we have to take for us and be proud of how the players were able to fight for the match until the last second."

MATCH REPORT

Full stats report on USL Match Centre or download the Opta Stats Report (full)

Download Match Photos (Credit: New York Red Bulls II / USL)

Starting XI

Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Crépeau; Obasi, Meilleur-Giguère, Edgar, Edward; Gagnon-Laparé (74' Mannella), Portilla, Oliveira; Reid (74' Haber), Taylor (84' Dos Santos), Haworth ©

New York Red Bulls II (4-2-3-1): Louro; Kutler, Politz, Ndam, Yanes; Echeverria, Lema; Stroud, Tinari © (90+4' De Vera), Aguinaga (77' Moreno); Bertrand-Abang (64' Barlow)

Scoring Summary

9' NY - Stroud

Caution Summary

52' OTT - Portilla

Expulsion Summary

54' OTT - Edward (straight red, handball clear denial of goal)

Attendance

Next Match

Thursday, September 6 @ Toronto FC II - 8:00 p.m. - Lamport Stadium

Next Home Match - CapCity Cup

Friday, September 7 v Montreal Impact - 7:00 p.m. - TD Place

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Images from this story

Ottawa Fury FC vs New York Red Bulls II
Ottawa Fury FC vs New York Red Bulls II
(New York Red Bulls II / USL)		   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 31, 2018


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