OTTAWA
Oliver goes up for a header in the box against two defenders as he tries to convert a Philippe Davies cross in the first half. Tyler Follett photo
By: Tyler Follett
An injury-ravaged Ottawa Fury FC side played FC Edmonton to a scoreless draw in a tight and physical affair in the opening game of the 2014 Voyageurs Cup.
Despite the conditions of cold wind and potential rain at any time, 2,500 fans came out to show their support as the team’s battle for the chance to play the MLS’s Montreal Impact.
Both sides had several chances to break the deadlock, including an incredible save by Devala Gorrick in injury time to deny Edmonton a winner.
“(Gorrick) made a fantastic save at the end, it would be unfair if Edmonton scored,” said Fury FC coach Marc Dos Santos.
It was Fury FC’s best 90-minute performance to date, with several contributions from key depth players thanks to injuries and a compact schedule at the worst time.
Carl Haworth was subbed on for the booked Vini Dantas in the 58th minute, looking to build off a strong super sub appearance on Saturday, while Tony Donatelli and Philippe Davies retained their starting positions and continued to threaten with their crosses.
It was an encouraging performance player really looking to make an impression early on in the season, when they may not have been given a chance without injuries.
“With the guys that we have out, the depth that we have and the players that are answering and the character of the team, I’m very positive as to what’s to come,” added Dos Santos.
Nicki Paterson, Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Tom Heinemann, who all missed the home opener, remained sidelined, joined by centreback Omar Jarun who is recovering from a boot to the face he took against Minnesota.
For an expansion team to be missing both their vice-captains, as well as starters at each of the three areas of the pitch, Fury FC’s depth has been strongly tested.
Drew Beckie, who played right back against Minnesota, took Jarun’s spot at centreback, with Fresenga slotting in at right back. Both had strong games in the backline drawing praise from the coach, with Beckie in particular showing what made him an MLS draft pick of the Columbus Crew.
“Beckie was drafted by Columbus for a reason, it wasn’t a fluke or luck,” said Dos Santos.
“He can get back to MLS if he continues like that. We need him at right back he answers, centre back he had an excellent game tonight again.”
Against FC Edmonton, the depth test was passed with flying colours.
“It proves we have a lot of guys that can play in this team if there’s injuries,” said Dos Santos.
The first half was back and forth, with both teams getting their chances. Ameobi was active up top for FC Edmonton, while Philippe Davies and Tony Donatelli peppered the box with crosses when given space.
Davies, Maykon and Dantas all had scoring chances denied off Donatelli crosses in the first half.
Richie Ryan had his strongest game yet, after being shaken up by a foul in the opening 10 minutes, he controlled the middle of the field, slowing the game down with careful distribution.
The physicality was apparent from the get go, with Ryan needing attention at one point, as well as Pierre-Rudolph Mayard after a hard foul by Ottawa-native Eddie Edward that earned him a yellow.
“We knew it would be physical,” said Dos Santos, an opinion shared by his counterpart, FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller.
“There’s a bit of spice to the occasion because it’s two Canadian teams trying to play against an MLS side,” said Miller.
The break at half did Fury FC no favours, as they had to contend with the wind in the second half.
The opening 25 minutes of the second act was controlled by Edmonton as the Fury realized quickly they could no longer play balls in the air with the conditions.
In the 58th minute, Haworth was subbed in for Dantas, with Haworth shifting to the left wing and Mayard moving up top. Mayard’s skill set would appear to make him an ideal candidate up top, though he seems to have a slight reluctance to shoot.
As the half progressed, Fury FC got more comfortable and began to press for a winner.
Mason Trafford sent a powerful effort a foot over the bar in one instance.
Just after the Trafford miss, a beautiful pass sent Haworth in on the keeper with just one defender bearing down.
Haworth went down in the box, and was then shoved twice by the defender while he was still on the ground. A bit of a melee ensued, with Philippe Davies receiving a yellow for shoving, in what may have been the most Canadian thing about the match, aside from the weather; a Canadian sticking up for his Canadian teammate he felt was wronged.
“I encourage a bit of passion between the two teams,” said Miller.
“It’s a terrific commitment from both teams, I didn’t think anything was over the top.”
Frank Jonke was a 61st minute substitution for FC Edmonton, as they pushed hard for an away goal with the Jonke-Ameobi tandem up top.
The physicality continued to ramp up as the game went on, with the referee never having full control of the game, despite handing out six yellow cards.
Ameobi was very fortunate not to sent off after a rash challenge late in the second half after he was already booked. The referee gave him the rare warning after having already booked him and warned him in the first half.
A strong tackle from Drew Beckie ended a Frank Jonke threat late as Jonke went down far too easily at the top of the box.
As Edmonton pressed in injury time, Gorrick had the Fury faithful on their feet as he made an incredible save to stop a sure goal.
The result favours Fury FC, having not allowed an away goal, which pleased Dos Santos.
“If you asked me what’s the best score after leg one, I will tell you I want to win 5-0,” he said.
“But the reality is if you do tie at least tie 0-0 at home knowing that goals away count for two. If we tie, 0-0 is the best tie possible.”
Dos Santos pointed to the 2013 Voyageurs Cup, won by Montreal after a 0-0 draw in the first leg and 2-2 draw in the second in Vancouver.
Miller was left to rue missed chances for his squad as they look ahead to the second leg.
“We’re disappointed not to have won this game, over the piece we probably were the better side,” said Miller.
Dos Santos highlighted Gorrick, Beckie, Fresenga and Davies in particular as some of the bright spots.
Davies has started two games in a row since not seeing a minute in the opener against Fort Lauderdale. He’s been playing with a lot of energy and been the team’s most consistent threat on the flank, after playing in central midfield last year.
“Going from last year playing the middle to playing the wing this year I have to re-adjust myself,” said Davies.
“I like it, I’m starting to grow into it.”
Players are coming to the realization as well that wind will regularly wreak havoc at Keith Harris Stadium.
“The first two games have been really windy so I guess it’s going to be like this. It’s part of the game and can’t do anything about that,” he added.
Devala Gorrick, Richie Ryan, Drew Beckie and Philippe Davies all deserved man of the match honours, with Gorrick my choice as he exuded confidence in net.
Looking ahead, Fury FC welcome the Carolina Railhawks this Saturday at 3p.m. at Keith Harris Stadium, ahead of next Wednesdays second leg at Edmonton.
The winner on aggregate of the two-leg set between Fury FC and FC Edmonton will take on the Montreal Impact in the semifinals of the Voyageurs Cup.
“The goal away is important and we’re going to score in Edmonton,” said Dos Santos.