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  • Ottawa Fury FC at Fort Lauderdale Strikers Match Review - Ottawa draw 1-1 away to close out a solid inaugural season


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    Ottawa took the lead in the 16th minute off a curled effort from outside the box from M Nicki Paterson, who took captain duties due to a suspended Richie Ryan, as the team looked strong throughout the 1st half. However, a dangerous tackle from DM Mauro Eustaquio, who was filling in for Ryan, in his attempt to nullify a quick counter-attack from the Strikers resulted in a straight red card in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half, and resulted in a desperate push by Fort Lauderdale for the equalizer that would give them a near-certain probability of qualifying for the playoffs.

    The precious goal for the home side came in the 86th minute from a well-struck half-volley on the turn from a left-flank cross by local product Aly Alberto Hassan, and the moment sent the entire team and Fort Lauderdale supporters into near delirium, as Ottawa could only watch on at what might have been in their maiden season in the 2nd tier of North American soccer.

    The draw snapped a 3-game losing streak for Ottawa, and gives the Fury supporters a sense of relief heading into the off-season, as the club and the fans look back at a strong season on and off the pitch in the NASL. Highlights such as the last-gasp home win over FC Edmonton and the record-breaking attendance in the Landsdowne opener will be well-cherished, and we will conclude the regular season with a season review this week, while continuing to report on major off-season moves from the nation’s capital.

    Starting Lineup

    There were numerous changes to the lineup, to account for the suspension of Ryan and the injury of F Tom Heinemann, as well as reflecting the desire of manager Marc Dos Santos to assess his players one final time before the off-season.

    Ironman CB Mason Trafford was rested for this game after a long season in which he played every minute possible, allowing Ramon Soria to start at LCB next to Drew Beckie. Romuald Peiser, O’Brian Woodbine and Ryan Richter kept their spots otherwise in the defense.

    Eustaquio has been the man to fill in whenever Ryan misses a game, after the failed experiment of playing Tony Donatelli in the DM position for Ryan in the spring season, and Eustaquio started next to Paterson and Donatelli. Playmaker Sinisa Ubiparipovic started the game on the bench after being subbed out at halftime last week, in what was a bit of a bad omen for the talisman heading into the off-season.

    Carl Haworth made a welcome return to the starting XI after a long period in which he was forced out of the starting lineup after an injury coincided with a good stretch of form for the Fury. He was joined up top by Oliver and Vini Dantas.

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    CB Drew Beckie for his fine marshalling of the back four and some crucial defensive interventions.

    Lineups and Stats

    Ottawa (4-3-3) – Peiser; Woodbine, Soria, Beckie, Richter; Paterson ©, Eustaquio, Donatelli (Ubiparipovic 89’); Oliver, Dantas (Davies 73’), Haworth (Trafford 82’)

    Ft. Lauderdale (4-5-1) – Contofalsky; Guerrero ©, Antonijevic (Hassan 78’), Alves, King; Pecka (Chavez 58’), Nunez (Jenison 55’), Marcelin, Anderson, Chin; Picault

    Ottawa Goal: Paterson (16′); Assist: Donatelli (16′)

    Ft. Lauderdale Goal: Hassan (86′)

    Ottawa Red Card: Eustaquio (54′)

    Ottawa Injuries and Suspensions and Absences: Ryan (suspension), Heinemann (injury)

    Ottawa Stats Leaders: Shots – Dantas (3); Challenges Won – Dantas (10)

    Ottawa NASL Overall Record: 8th; 7-6-14; 27 points

    Ft. Lauderdale NASL Overall Record: 4th; 11-7-9; 40 points

    You can follow Namu Yoon on Twitter at @BBSC_SeoulBro, and his blog on Ottawa Fury FC at OFFCReview.wordpress.com, and at @OFFCReview.



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