Strong Ottawa Performance Undone by Late Edmonton Rally
April 22, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA, ON (April 22, 2015) - In the first leg of the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship Ottawa Fury FC and FC Edmonton clashed Wednesday night at TD Place with Edmonton stealing a late victory coming from behind late in the second half to win 3-1 erasing a strong performance from Fury FC.
Looking to avenge last year's loss in the competition and meet the Vancouver Whitecaps, who currently sit atop the MLS table, in the semifinals, Fury FC failed to capitalize on an early lead.
"I think that, until the 75th minute, we were the team that created the most - the best team on the field," said Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos.
Ottawa came out to a furious offensive start as forward Oliver scored the fastest goal in club history in the second minute of the game off a corner to give Fury FC the 1-0 lead. It was also the second fastest goal in Amway Canadian Championship history.
With the club participating in only their second Amway Canadian Championship, Fury FC remained composed as they kept the Eddies offense at bay. The club was also without captain Richie Ryan, who will miss a minimum of three weeks nursing a leg injury. Julian De Guzman, Fury FC's most decorated player in this competition with 10 apps and three titles with Toronto FC, led the midfield in his absence.
Fury FC produced several scoring chances throughout the first half through Andrew Wiedeman and Sinisa Ubiparipovic, but neither were able to finish their opportunities or beat Matt VanOekel in the Edmonton goal.
Fury FC kept the pressure on to start the second half as Oliver looked to get his second of the night, but his shot went just wide.
In the 63rd minute, Fury forward Ryan Richter would get called for a handball in the box. Edmonton's Lance Laing stepped up to take the penalty kick, but goalkeeper Romuald Peiser would come up with a brilliant save to hold the lead.
However, in the 83rd minute, Edmonton's Daryl Fordyce would spoil the lead and kick home his own rebound to tie things up at 1-1. Edmonton's Lance Laing, who came off the bench earlier, would score in the 88th minute to give FC Edmonton the 2-1 lead.
Julian De Guzman tried to capitalize late in the game in a controversial play that had many Fury players and supporters protesting a handball.
In stoppage time, Tomi Ameobi would score another for Edmonton to increase the gap.
"You can see there is a healthy rivalry between the two clubs and long may that continue. We need it," said FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller.
"The most important game is always the next one so you have to go on," said Fury goalkeeper Peiser.
The second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship switches to Edmonton on April 29. Ottawa Fury FC is back in NASL action on Saturday, April 25 as the club takes on Fort Lauderdale Strikers at TD Place at 3:00pm. Tickets available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from April 22, 2015
- Second-Half Specialists Stun Ottawa Fury FC - FC Edmonton
- Strong Ottawa Performance Undone by Late Edmonton Rally - Ottawa Fury FC
- Silverbacks Pair Selected to NASL Team of the Week - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Rafael Alves and Tom Heinemann Earn NASL Team of the Week Honours - Ottawa Fury FC
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