Spirited Performance by Fury FC Overshadowed by Costly Inconsistencies
April 7, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - Raring to go after being kept off the pitch for three weeks, Ottawa Fury FC channeled their energy into a fiercely fought battle against long-time rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies, but ended up closing the night with a 5-0 loss to the locals.
Fury FC came out of the gate flying, creating its first chance in the opening minutes of the match off a great run by Haworth on the right, cutting through traffic and trying to find Salazar who was speeding towards goal. Tampa Bay responded quickly to the threat, breaking down Ottawa's defense through the middle for a dangerous attempt at goal.
After the excitement of the first 10 minutes, play settled down, both sides finding their strides. With both clubs playing similar styles, it was no surprise to see them find most of the first half in the centre of the park, looking to get enough organized movement to create opening and put chances away. With possession and shots almost even, the two sides went into the break all square at nil-nil.
Ottawa looked poised to surprise many in Tampa after a strong first half, and was determined to continue on this path when it returned for the second.
Unfortunately for Fury FC, the Rowdies' fine-tuned machine got into fifth gear in the 60th minute and found a way to break Ottawa's system. Tampa Bay's Georgie Hristov opened the score, making him a true Fury FC nemesis, becoming the player having scored the most goals against the Ottawa side in its history.
This marked the start of a relentless attack by the Rowdies, an attack Fury FC could not find answers to. After a spectacular first period, Fury FC keeper Irving was left to face a side that was knocking at the door in masses. The Rowdies would add four more goals in the span of the remaining 30 minutes, breaking spirits of Fury FC supporters watching at home.
On a brighter note, Saturday's match saw Gerardo Bruna back on the field, and the Argentine did well playing in the false nine position that is pivotal to Head Coach Nikola Popovic's style of play. Popovic will now dissect this result with his players while the group continues to look for their new identity and how they can put the pieces together to achieve the success they are expecting of themselves.
Ottawa Fury FC will now travel to Pittsburgh next Saturday (KO 7:00 pm) to face a Riverhounds FC team that has secured a 4-0 win against Toronto FC II earlier tonight, thanks in large part to a hat-trick from Neco Brett. Fury FC will then get to play its first home match of the season on Saturday April 21 when North Carolina FC visits TD Place.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"What I saw out there was a lot of inconsistency. In the first half, we had four or five chances to score but were not able to finalize. And then after 60 minutes of some consistency, we started committing mistakes that at this level, against this kind of teams, you are going to get punished for."
"We know that as a team we are going through a lot of challenges. But we have to fight. [The three weeks without a match] is something that we don't control. We have to be focusing on what we can control. This is what we'll do: we're going to recover and prepare for a better performance next week."
"I want to say that I'm proud of the players. They fought until the very end of the game, even with the score that wasn't in our favour. I think they showed that they have the spirit and the heart to fight."
MATCH REPORT
Full stats report on USL Match Centre
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Irving; Obasi, Mannella, Falvey, Porter; Dixon, Portilla, Oliveira; Salazar (74' - Sito), Bruna (68' - Dos Santos), Haworth ?© (64' ?" Taylor)
Tampa Bay Rowdies (4-1-4-1): Mizell; Portillos, Gorskie, Collins, Najem; Blake; Fernandes, Schäfer (83' - Rozeboom), Cole ?©, Flemmings (70' - Guenzatti); Hristov (82' - Graf)
Scoring Summary
61' - Hristov (Schäfer)
71' - Mannella (OG)
79' - Fernandes
87' - Cole (Graf)
90+5' - Portillos (Fernandes)
Caution Summary
11' - Dixon
81' - Schäfer
90+3' - Mannella
Expulsion Summary
90+1' - Obasi
Attendance
5,059
Next Match: Saturday, April 14 @ Pittsburgh Riverhounds FC - 7:00 pm - Highmark Stadium
Next Home Match: Saturday, April 21 v North Carolina FC - 2:00 pm - TD Place
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 7, 2018
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- San Antonio FC Earns 1-1 Draw with Swope Park Rangers - San Antonio FC
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- T2 Earn 3-0 Road Win over OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium - Portland Timbers 2
- Switchbacks End Winless Streak WIth 2-1 Win at Home over Rio Grande Valley - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Dominate Ottawa Fury FC in 5-0 Home Win - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Indy Eleven Slip Past North Carolina FC - North Carolina FC
- Spirited Performance by Fury FC Overshadowed by Costly Inconsistencies - Ottawa Fury FC
- NYRB II Take Road Point at Richmond - New York Red Bulls II
- Shriver Scores as Kickers Draw New York - Richmond Kickers
- Brett Hat Trick Powers Hounds to 4-0 Win over Toronto - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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