|
|
Posted by
Stuart Mactaggart,
September 21, 2014 |
|
Email
Stuart Mactaggart
On Twitter:
@FuryFanatic_Mac
|
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ottawa Fury recorded their third straight road win on Saturday evening as they defeated the Silverbacks 3-0 in Atlanta. Fury FC had one of their best performances of the year as they were able to take control of the game from the beginning, and didn’t look back as they earned another three points on the road. Ottawa continued the push for a playoff spot as they named a similar squad to the last two weeks, with Mayard, Heinemann and Oliver starting up front. Nicki Paterson was absent from the starting eleven for the first time since returning from injury, as Marc Dos Santos preferred to start Ubiparipovic and Donatelli alongside Ryan in the midfield. Ryan Richter returned to centre back for Ottawa after returning on loan from Toronto, and he started alongside Soria, Beckie and Trafford.
The Opening 45
Ottawa started the game off with a lot of intensity and energy, and it was only three minutes before they took a 1-0 lead through a Mayard goal. Fury continued to set the pace in the first half as they comfortably worked the ball around, stringing together several passes and kept Atlanta to the long ball on the counter attack. Ottawa added a second goal in the 38th minute through Oliver, who scored for his third straight game since returning from injury. This was the second goal of the half that was created from a Donatelli cross and a Heinemann deflection in the box to set up the scorer. The half ended with Fury up 2-0 and would have been feeling very confident about their performance heading into the break.
The Second Half
The second half started with a lot of intensity as Atlanta looked to try and spark some kind of creativity. Ottawa continue to apply pressure as the game continued and the physical nature of the game began to rise as numerous cards were handed out for rough tackles and fouls. Ubiparipovic was replaced by Paterson with about twenty minutes remaining; meanwhile Mayard was replaced by Haworth. Atlanta would go down to ten men in the 79th minute after Cruz went in into a tackle with Fury’s Richie Ryan studs up, resulting in a straight red. The tackle occurred very quickly after Cruz lost control of the ball, however Ryan was lucky to walk away uninjured as similar tackles have led to broken legs. Ottawa added a third after Haworth was able to get his head on a bouncing Oliver cross, rounding off Ottawa’s fantastic performance.
Keep Thinking
Ottawa’s performances have continued to improve over the last several games, as players such as Oliver and Donatelli have returned from injury to produce some quality football and important goals for Ottawa. Marc Dos Santos is still chasing the dream of a playoff berth, as Ottawa find themselves just 8 points back of fourth with a game in hand. Ottawa will need to build off of the confidence of the last three games if they are to record their first home in next weekend against league leaders Minnesota United.
Man of the Match
Tony Donatelli
Tony Donatelli played exceptionally well through the middle and had a hand in creating all three goals. Tony had a fantastic assist/goal record in the Spring Season and seems to have found his form in the last few games as he has once again earned his spot in the starting XI.
Honorable Mentions
Having Ryan Richter back on loan has been a big boost for Ottawa’s back line as he is able to defend, attack and last a full 90 minutes. Jarun struggled at times and needed replaced in the two games previous, where as Ottawa were able to use their three subs for tactical purposes in Atlanta, instead of due to fatigue.
Ottawa Fury Line-up
Ottawa Starting XI: GK - Romuald Peiser; Ramon Soria, Mason Trafford, Drew Beckie, Ryan Richter, Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Nicki Paterson 76'), Richie Ryan, Tony Donatelli, Pierre-Rudolph Mayard (Carl Haworth 71'), Tom Heinemann (Vini Dantas 63'), Oliver
|