Top-Of-The-Table Clash Ends in a Stalemate
August 26, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
Ottawa Fury FC vs. New York Cosmos
(Ottawa Fury FC, Credit: Steve Kingsman)
OTTAWA, ON (August 26, 2015) - Ottawa Fury FC played the New York Cosmos to a scoreless draw in a top-of-the-table tilt on Wednesday night in front over 6000 fans that brought TD Place to life. With the point Fury FC remain atop the NASL Fall Season standings with a 6-2-1 (W-D-L) record, maintaining their lead over second place New York and building their lead over Edmonton, Atlanta and Minnesota to five points. Romuald Pesier collected his league-best ninth shutout of the season.
"I think, at the end of the day, it is a fair tie. It was a good 0-0 game and I feel that this was not a boring 0-0 game. You felt that one of the teams could have scored," said Ottawa Fury FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. "It is an important point for us."
It was a clash between the NASL's best on Wednesday night and was touted as a potential Soccer Bowl preview.
New York Cosmos forward and Real Madrid legend Raul was the first to test Fury goalkeeper Romuald Peiser in the 18th minute, as he sent a left-footed strike from outside the box on goal, but the French goalkeeper was there to make a solid diving save.
With the offensive prowess that the Cosmos have in their arsenal, it was a given that Peiser was going to have to be dependable. In the 28th minute, the Fury 'keeper continued his impressive play with another great save on Cosmos midfielder Walter Restrepo, who sent a screamer towards the net.
The majority of the half was played in the middle of the pitch, as both sides battled to a scoreless first half.
Ottawa came out buzzing in the second half as midfielder Carl Haworth tried to beat Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer with a low drive, but his shot would go just wide. Moments later, forwards Tom Heinemann and Paulo Junior would combine for a chance, but Paulo Junior was unable to get a shot away from the Heinemann cross.
In the 69th minute, forward Ugur Albayrak subbed into the match making his Fury FC debut in front of the 6042 in attendance - the third time Ottawa has eclipsed the 6000 mark this season and second straight game.
A minute later, Heinemann sent a hard ball towards the net with a diving header from a brilliant ball from Haworth, but his shot would miss mere centimeters wide of the goal. Albayrak would also have his first attempt on goal in the 74th minute, but he would get tied up in front of the Cosmos goal.
In the end, neither side could break the stalemate, as Ottawa and New York finished in a spirited scoreless draw.
"I think they both showed they are two of the top teams in the league and they played that way. They've got another matchup in the Fall Season and I won't be surprised if they see each other somewhere along the way in the championship," said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson who was in attendance of the NASL Game of the Week Wednesday night.
With the draw, Ottawa are now and impressive 7W-6D-1L in their last 14-games and have shutout the opposition eight times during this stretch.
Ottawa Fury FC close out their three-game home stand against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets to this and all remaining Fall Season matches are available at OttawaFuryFC.com.
Images from this story
 Ottawa Fury FC vs. New York Cosmos (Steve Kingsman) |
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North American Soccer League Stories from August 26, 2015
- Cosmos Held to Draw by Fury in Ottawa - New York Cosmos
- Top-Of-The-Table Clash Ends in a Stalemate - Ottawa Fury FC
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- Tampa Bay Rowdies Name Stuart Campbell Head Coach - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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