BY: Tyler Follett
Oliver Minatel takes a hard foul from a fellow Brazilian, Minnesota United FC’s Tiago Calvano.
Tiago was given a warning on the play but no card. Tyler Follett photo
OTTAWA -- Ottawa Fury FC fell 2-1 in their first-ever home game to Minnesota United FC after a dagger in injury time in front of 3,457 fans at Keith Harris Stadium.
The goal – scored off a free kick given up by substitute Andres Fresenga just outside the 18 yard box – came after injury time was up according to Fury coach Marc Dos Santos, and any definition of time I’ve ever heard of.
“It’s hard, it’s very hard because we feel that we came back in the second half with a lot of energy,” said Dos Santos.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
“We tied the game because we deserved to tie it. And while we were growing in the game and I felt that maybe we were going to score the second.”
Windy conditions at kickoff limited both teams in the first half.
The opening thirty saw tentative play from both teams, with few scoring chances, until a breakthrough in the 36th minute by Minnesota FC.
Miguel Ibarra scored a goal out of nothing in an impressive solo effort on the right side, with Fury keeper Gorrick having little chance.
The Fury started the second half looking like a different team. After making no changes to the lineup at half, the backline began to pressure more, swallowing Minnesota when they had possession before they could even enter the final third.
Phillipe Davies and Pierre-Rudolph Mayard were active on the flanks, linking well with Oliver Minatel.
Pierre-Rudolph Mayard evades a Manuel Ibarra tackle in midfield.
Ibarra starred in the attack for Minnesota. Tyler Follett photo
In the 50th minute Tony Donatelli sent a nice cross in Vini Dantas headed home as the Brazilian notched the Fury’s first ever goal.
The pressure continued after the goal, as the Fury had several chances at a second goal.
In the 76th minute, as Minnesota made one of their rare second half forays in the Fury final third, Omar Jarun took a boot to the head in the box. He was helped off the field and received medical attention, looking worse for the wear after the game.
The injury forced fullback Drew Beckie to centreback to cover for Jarun, while Andres Fresenga was subbed on to take Beckie’s place to complete the makeshift backline.
The ensuing 10 minutes saw several Minnesota players suffer knocks requiring physio attention and a substitution, cutting into the Fury momentum.
Minnesota started sending three and four attackers testing the makeshift Fury backline for a second goal.
After chances both ways, a free kick was given up just outside the 18 yard line by Andres Fresenga deep into stoppage time.
The cross was headed home by striker Christian Ramirez in the 97th minute, with his second in as many games.
The dagger took the wind out the sails for a team that deserved to get their first points on the day.
The team was left to rue a late goal and questionable decision not to even give the Fury a chance to score a second.
“If they get a goal like the one they got the first one, very good goal, that’s one thing. Playing after the time that’s what upsets me,” said Dos Santos. “The ref can’t be scared of just playing the right time.”
There were many positives to take out of the second half, which saw the Fury sustaining continuous pressure and looking threatening in the final third.
“We grew, we grew in the game, we grew in the second half, it’s too bad. We’re so close to success, so close to winning or tying games, but it’s details,” said Dos Santos.
The game showed a glimpse into the Fury’s depth, as they were missing three key starters – Tom Heinemann, Nicki Paterson and Sinisa Ubiparipovic to injury.
Tony Donatelli and Philippe Davies filled in for Paterson and Sinisa, while Dantas started up top in place of Heinemann.
Dantas felt afterwards like many, that the game was in their reach.
“If it wasn’t for some injuries, some guys going down, physios coming on the field, I think that momentum would have carried to another goal,” said Dantas. “Because we were pressing, we were creating things, we were getting in their final third and I think it was just a matter of time for it to come. Then injuries started happening, and it’s a battle.”
Captain Richie Ryan was tasked, not only with leading Fury FC in their home debut, but with leading a midfield missing key contributors.
An experienced distributor with the ball, Ryan knew to slow down the play when things got hectic for a team playing with some inexperienced players.
“We believe in ourselves as a squad, we know how good we can be,” said Ryan.
“There’s a few little things that we need to get stronger with, take responsibility for. To make sure we don’t lose games with goals in the last minute of the game is one of them. I’m sure we’ll learn sooner rather than later”
The Fury will be able to soon forget about the result with a visit from FC Edmonton this Wednesday night in the opener of the Canadian Championship.
Edmonton, who fell to the New York Cosmos 1-0 Saturday, will also be looking to break a slump.
“There’s only one way to bounce back,” said Ryan. “We got beat 2-1 unfortunately but put this to the back of our minds, come back Monday morning and prepare for Wednesday night.”