The Scorpions went up in the first 10 minutes, with a curling FK from the right flank from CM Rafael Castillo, which bounced right in front of the 6-yard box, sneaked in the post without a touch from either team, as Fury GK Romuald Peiser was fooled by both the movement of the ball and that of the San Antonio attackers. While the first half was dominated by San Antonio’s quick and precise ball control, Ottawa remained in the game with some good defensive plays from Peiser and CB Mason Trafford and fashioned some decent chances.
The equalizer came in injury time, as CM Sinisa Ubiparipovic curled in a cross from the left flank that winger Oliver did well to attack in the air. San Antonio GK Josh Saunders made a great save off the header, and the rebound came to CM Tony Donatelli, who struck a fierce shot that Saunders once against did very well to keep out. The ball came out once again, this time to RB/CB Ryan Richter, who fired it into the roof just out of the reach past Saunders, sending the players and the coaching staff into celebrations.
Starting Lineup
The starting lineup witnessed more changes, as Ottawa played its 3rd game in a week, as the shuffle of the lineup in the middle of the week was shifted once again. There were 5 changes to the starting XI, including changes to all of the front 3 in Marc Dos Santos’s 4-3-3 formation.
At LB, Ramon Soria, who has started most of the games in the Fall Season, came in for O’Brian Woodbine, who had an auspicious start to his Fury career mid-week. Ubiparipovic, who was rested midweek, came in for Donatelli, as CM Nicki Paterson retained his spot after a fine midweek outing.
The manager changed up the entire front 3, as the depth of the squad was utilised to bring in 3 fresh new attackers. After the strong performances by Carl Haworth, Vini Dantas and Oliver in midweek, P.R. Mayard, Tom Heinemann and Philippe Davies led the front line for the Fury.
CSN OFFC MotM
CB Mason Trafford for his 2 crucial defensive interventions two-thirds into the game, which gave Ottawa chance to equalize later in the half, with honourable mentions to RB Ryan Richter and winger Oliver.
Lineups and Stats
Ottawa (4-3-3) – Peiser 6; Soria 6, Trafford 8, Jarun 7, Richter 7; Ubiparipovic 7, Ryan © 7, Paterson 6; Mayard 7, Heinemann 7, Davies 6
San Antonio (4-1-4-1) – Saunders, De Roux, Cann, Janicki, James, Forbes (Soto 70′), Castillo (Hassli 90′), Menjivar, Elizondo, Restrepo, Gentile (Zahorski 83′)
Ottawa Subs – Dantas 6 (Heinemann 62′), Donatelli 6 (Paterson 68′), Oliver 7 (Jarun 75′)
Ottawa Goals: Richter (90+1′); Assists: Ubiparipovic, Oliver, Donatelli (90+1′)
San Antonio Goals: Castillo (11′)
Ottawa Injuries and Suspensions: None
Ottawa Stats Leaders: Shots – Paterson (3); Challenges Won – Soria, Trafford, Jarun (10)
Ottawa Tactical Notes: Remained 4-3-3 the whole match. When Jarun came off, Richter shifted to CB, Davies shifted to RB, Mayard shifted to RW and Oliver came on at LW
Ottawa NASL Overall Record: 8th; 7-5-11; 26 points
San Antonio NASL Overall Record: 2nd; 13-4-6; 43 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.