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Ottawa Fury FC has announced the signing of Canadian midfielder Julian De Guzman, marking a big day in the club’s history. As the captain of the Canadian Men’s National Team, De Guzman will bring a lot of experience and skill to Marc Dos Santo’s squad as they look to make a push for the NASL Championship.
Canadian national team coach Benito Floro’s roster decisions caused some eyebrows to be raised last year, as he named several unattached players to his roster. De Guzman was the lone unattached player named to the most recent Canada roster, but with his new contract it means he will now be the only NASL player on the international roster.
Ottawa Fury coach Marc Dos Santos has always prided himself on bringing in Canadian talent to Ottawa and ensuring that Canadian players are getting opportunities to play professionally. Dos Santos hopes to see more of a relationship built between Floro, his staff and Ottawa Fury FC; and De Guzman’s arrival in the capital may force Floro’s hand with respect to attending some matches this summer.
De Guzman will add more pressure to the Ottawa Fury roster, which already shows signs of fierce competition for starting positions. Canadian Patryk Misik will be pushing Ubiparipovic and Paterson for starting time, meaning De Guzman’s arrival will make it even tougher for midfielders to earn a starting spot. The competition for starting positions is something that Dos Santos enjoys to see in his roster and there is no doubt the level of play will be higher this season
De Guzman will feature for Canada this Friday and Monday, then joining the Ottawa Fury in Carolina where they will be wrapping up their preseason schedule. The Fury will take on Carolina Railhawks on April 4th to kick off their 2015 NASL season, and will host future MLS expansion side Minnesota United on April 18th at their home opener at TD Place.
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