TFC Take First Match of Canadian Championship Semi-Final
July 18, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
OTTAWA - An early goal was all Toronto FC needed to top Ottawa Fury FC 1-0 on Wednesday night at TD Place in the first leg of the Canadian Championship semi-final matchup. The teams were very evenly matched, and Ottawa turned in a spirited effort in the second-half, but couldn't find the back of the net.
From the outset, one could sense the passion surrounding the competition from both clubs. 13 Canadians featured among the starting 22 players and supporters' groups from Ottawa and Toronto exchanged chants in full voice.
Toronto FC got on the board first in the fifth minute, with captain Jonathan Osorio scoring on a shot that goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau didn't see until the last moment.
Kevin Oliveira created Ottawa's first chance by drawing foul at the top of the TFC box. Oliveira stepped up to take it himself, but his shot aimed for the top corner went just wide.
Oliveira had another opportunity from a free kick toward the end of the first-half. The midfielder sent an enticing ball into the box that was missed by everyone and rolled inches passed the post.
The first-half concluded with the visitors up 1-0, but the game was a feisty affair with tackles flying in from both sides.
The first chance of the second-half went to Fury FC and Oliveira was at the forefront once again. Eddie Edward was tripped up beside the Toronto box, earning a free kick from a very tight angle. Oliveira tried a direct shot on goal that surprised everyone, and goalkeeper Clint Irwin punched it away.
Midway through the second 45, Ottawa looked to be taking the upper hand in the match. A nice passing sequence in the attacking third ended with Adonijah Reid centring a ball that was hoofed away by a TFC defender.
Fury FC thought they'd found an equalizer in the 84th minute. Daniel Haber put in a beautiful cross right on the head of Steevan Dos Santos. The big strikers' header was perfectly placed in the bottom corner, but Irwin got across just in time to save the victory for his team.
Fury FC continued to push in and around the TFC penalty area in the dying moments, but the Toronto back line held firm to see out the match.
Toronto FC holds a 1-0 lead on aggregate heading into the second leg of the home-and-home. The return match is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25 at BMO Field (KO 7:30 p.m.). Fury FC's next match in the USL is on Saturday, July 21 against Nashville SC (KO 7:00 p.m.).
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
"It was a very, very close game that was decided early. It was unfortunate that we didn't clear the ball. After [the goal] it was very even. I cannot say there was one team that was dominating the other - both had chances to score."
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau
"We felt like we could have gone and got the result, we were pushing for the tie. The goal was a bit unlucky. We were defending and I didn't see the ball until it was right on top of me. We know it will be tough in Toronto. It will be difficult conditions, but we're ready to put in a full 90 minutes."
MATCH REPORT
Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Crépeau; Obasi, Meilleur-Giguère, Attakora, Edward; Dixon ©, Mannella (61' Portilla), Oliveira; Reid (61' Haber), Dos Santos, Taylor
Toronto FC (4-3-3): Irwin; Hasler, Zavaleta (76' Morrow), Hagglund, Morgan; Telfer, Fraser, Osorio ©; Johnson (67' Delgado), Chapman, Akinola (87' Hamilton)
Scoring Summary
5' - Osorio (Telfer)
Caution Summary
15' - Johnson
22' - Obasi (*second yellow card of competition - misses return leg in Toronto)
48' - Fraser
Attendance
6,057
Next Home Match: Sunday, July 21 v Nashville SC - 2:00 p.m. - TD Place
Next Match in Canadian Championship: Wednesday, July 25 @ Toronto FC - BMO Field
**There was an incident at TD Place this evening during the Canadian Championship semi-final match between Ottawa Fury FC and Toronto FC of the MLS. Members of the TFC supporters group smuggled a small quantity of fireworks into the stadium and ignited them during the second half of the match. The fireworks flared and boomed for a short time and were quickly extinguished by TD Place security. No fans were injured in the incident and the perpetrators were ejected from the building.
All members of the visiting supporters group had been subjected to bag checks and security scans prior to entering the stadium and no fireworks or other devices were detected. TFC has apologized for the behavior of the members of the supporters group responsible for igniting the fireworks. Ottawa Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Public safety is of paramount importance and TD Place will review this incident and security policies to determine how they might be modified to prevent such incidents in the future.**
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