The Eddies scored two goals in the first 20 minutes, and held on throughout the game, despite significant possession by the Fury. Edmonton scored its first goal in the 8th minute when it overloaded its left flank, leaving their talisman and winger Lance Laing with all sorts of time to pick out a low cross to ST Chad Burt to slot it home. The goal was as much of a defensive failure from Ottawa as it was a good play from Edmonton, as Ottawa’s right flank was over-numbered with winger Philippe Davies and captain Richie Ryan providing not enough support for RB Ryan Richter, while CB Omar Jarun was not fast enough in trying to block the incoming cross.
Edmonton scored its second goal on a terrible goalkeeping blunder from Romuald Peiser, who has been a bright light for the club through the Fall Season. His initial movement out of the goal-line left him in no position to come back when an in-swinging left-footed corner from Laing curled perfectly into the net, with CM Nicki Paterson valiantly attempting to head the ball away.
Ottawa pushed for a goal from some nicely taken free kicks from Ryan and Paterson, while Jarun had a great opportunity in the 2nd half, but the Eddies held on for a professional win, as the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs in the Fall Season was put out on full display at TD Place on Saturday. Manager Marc Dos Santos could not hide his disgust at the Fury’s 1st-half display, labelling it a disgrace, and the Fury players will have to come out stronger for another big home match next week, when it hosts its expansion cousins Indy Eleven for the home finale of 2014.
Starting Lineup
LB O’Brian Woodbine has been a pleasant inclusion in the roster and was handed another start after a good performance vs. New York last week. CB Omar Jarun also was given another start after a full-hearted performance while performing his vice-captain duties with the absence of Ryan last week, as the back four remained identical to the match vs. the Cosmos.
Paterson made a surprise start over CM Sinisa Ubiparipovic, with the surprise being less at the inclusion of Paterson than seeing Ubiparipovic on the bench, as he has been a main-stay in the starting XI. Up top, the injury and suspension of Oliver and Tom Heinemann meant that P.R. Mayard and Vini Dantas got the starts, next to Davies.
Next Match Preview
The Fury play their final home game next Sunday, welcoming their Class of 2014 expansion cousins Indy Eleven at 3:00pm EDT (Rogers TV, NASLLive.com). Indy is finishing off the season on great form, with a 2-0 home win over Minnesota followed by a gutsy 1-0 home win over San Antonio, as they knocked off the top two clubs in the NASL in back-to-back weeks.
Ottawa has had the better of Indy in their two match-ups this season, as the Fury have visited Indianapolis on two separate occasions and coming up with two big away victories. Their 2-4 away win in the Spring Season was followed up by a 1-2 away win in August in torrential conditions, as Ubiparipovic slotted in the dagger in the 86th minute to give Ottawa the precious away victory, while Peiser had a fantastic game in net.
Indy is ahead of Ottawa in the Fall Season table, but looking at the overall season, Ottawa leads Indy by 3 points, with its 26 to Indy’s 23 points. Indy lines up in a 4-4-2 formation, so Ottawa’s two centre-backs will have their work cut out for them. While CM Kleberson leads Indy with 8 league goals, he has actually only played 15 minutes in the two recent home wins. Ottawa will have to be wary of Indy’s hot form and their newfound confidence.
Lineups and Stats
Ottawa (4-3-3) – Peiser; Woodbine, Trafford, Jarun, Richter; Paterson, Ryan ©, Donatelli; Mayard, Dantas, Davies
Edmonton (4-4-2) – Smits; Moses, Roberts, Watson ©, Navarro; Laing, Jones, Hlavaty (Raudales 8), James; Burt (Edward 70′), Ameobi (Nonni 77′)
Ottawa Subs – Haworth (Davies 35′), Ubiparipovic (Paterson 57′), Soria (Jarun 81′)
Ottawa Goals: None
Edmonton Goals: Burt (9′), Laing (21′)
Ottawa Injuries and Suspensions and Absences: F Oliver (out, facial injury), F Tom Heinemann (1-game suspension)
Ottawa NASL Overall Record: 8th; 7-5-13; 26 points
Edmonton NASL Overall Record: 5th; 9-7-11; 34 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.