Atlanta Silverbacks Fell Short of Their Goal To Defeat Ottawa Fury FC
Soccer News: Atlanta Silverbacks fell 2-1 to Ottawa Fury FC on Wednesday Night Soccer at TD Place, as Ottawa Fury FC extended their unbeaten streak to nine matches.
It was a slow start for Ottawa and Atlanta as both took the first 20 minutes to feel each other out. Both applied light pressure, giving the other ample time to move the ball within the midfield.
It didn’t take long for the Silverbacks to get started early on. Newly-acquired forward Pedro Mendes made a run along the left side in the 8th minute, playing the ball to the middle of the 18-yard-box. The ensuing shot from Michael Reed went wide.
Steward Ceus — back for his first club action since returning from Haiti’s quarterfinal run in the CONCACAF Gold Cup — had his first test of the match after a side volley from Oliver Minatel almost found the corner of the net. Ceus dove, but saw the ball go just wide.
The teams entered the break scoreless. Atlanta showed promising signs in the first half, possessing the ball with a greater sense of purpose than in previous games. Ottawa, on the other hand, was spread out, often unable to connect in the final third.
Ottawa scored the first goal in the 56th minute. First-time starter Mohammed Issahaku was tripped on the play, leaving Fury FC winger Carl Haworth plenty of space. Haworth made a sharp turn around Paul Black, and slammed the ball into the net.
Atlanta got its revenge less than five minutes later. Black’s maneuvering into the box was abruptly halted by a couple of Ottawa defenders, resulting in a penalty kick for the Silverbacks. Junior Burgos picked the left and leveled the match.
Fury FC almost knocked in their second of the night in the 70th minute, but Ceus snagged it from under the boot of Hassan.
Hassan’s substitution brought a vast change in the Ottawa attack with an induction of speed. His footwork inside the 18-yard-box led to a penalty call for Fury FC. Ceus guessed correctly on Ottawa captain’s Ritchie Ryan’s spot kick, but the ball was too quick.
Atlanta got one last chance in extra time after a Black free kick into the box. The following header went right into Peiser’s chest. Ottawa bunkered down and held a tight defense, holding on for the 2-1 win.
Match Report:
Starting XI:
Atlanta Silverbacks: Head Coach – Gary Smith
Steward Ceus, Mohammed Issahaku, Simon Mensing (c), Rauwshan McKenzie, Paul Black, Michael Reed, Michal Mravec (81’ – Josh Hughes), Junior Burgos (78’ – Hans Denissen), Kosuke Kimura, Pedro Mendes (70’ – Shaka Bangura), Jaime Chavez
Ottawa Fury FC: Head Coach – Marc Dos Santos
Romuald Peiser, Mason Trafford, Colin Falvey, Rafael Alves, Ryan Richter, Mauro Eustaquio, Richie Ryan, Phillipe Davies (69’ – Siniša Ubiparipović), Carl Haworth, Tom Heinemann (67’ – Aly Alberto Hassan), Oliver Minatel (85’ – Paulo Junior)
Scoring Summary:
56’ – OTT: Haworth
62’ – ATL: Burgos (PK)
73’ – OTT: Ryan (PK)
Caution Summary:
3’ – ATL: Pedro Mendes (Caution)
29’ – ATL: Mravec (Caution)
43’ – OTT: Haworth (Caution)
73’ – ATL: Mensing (Caution)
Watch highlights of the match:
