Photo credit: Ottawa Fury FC / Freestyle Photography
It was a cloudy afternoon this past Saturday when Ottawa Fury FC hosted FC Cincinnati at TD Place. The game was broken open after an evenly played first-half when Kenney Walker scored a fabulous goal 45-yards from goal in the 68th minute. After the shock of the opening goal, FC Cincinnati took over the game scoring two more goals in the next nine minutes. The game ended in a 0-3 loss for Fury FC.
A Tale of two halves
The opening 45 minutes were evenly played under the clouds. Fury FC played positively as they searched for the opening goal and their best chance came from a nifty combination of passes between Kévin Oliveira and Adonijah Reid in the 43rd minute.
Reid received the ball in the midfield from Oliveira and returned the favour as he delicately played the ball over Cincinnati’s defenders for Oliveira to receive. Oliveira passed the ball sideways for an oncoming Carl Haworth. Haworth was able to avoid Cincy FC’s goalkeeper Spencer Richie, but in the end, Haworth’s shot was blocked by a Cincy FC defender.
The chance on goal that culminated from solid possession is the type of soccer Nikola Popovic wants to see from his team.
Ironically, the sun came out for the second-half, but Fury FC’s bright play didn’t continue. FC Cincinnati were the aggressors in the second-half and created a number of gilt-edged opportunities before making the breakthrough in the 68th minute of the game.
The opening goal came from a volley from 45-yards out by Cincy FC’s midfielder Kenney Walker. Walker caught Maxime Crépeau off his line, but Fury FC’s goalkeeper can’t be blamed as the goal was a phenomenal example of supreme technical ability by Walker, “a goal you don’t see in many leagues around the world,” said Popovic after the match.
After the opening goal, FC Cincinnati pushed on getting goals from Corben Bone and Emmanuel Ledesma in the 69th and 77th minutes.
The game was largely over after that point as Fury FC looked dejected and shell-shocked.
Losses beginning to weigh heavy
This is Fury FC’s fourth loss of the season out of five games and they sit bottom the USL Eastern Conference standings. Even with the knowledge of managements large-scale ambitions for the club, it's difficult for all involved at the club to continually compete every week and have nothing to show of it.
After the match, Fury FC Head Coach Nikola Popovic met the media a little exasperated after witnessing his team crumble in the span of nine minutes on Saturday.
“It’s incomprehensible that we played perhaps our best half of the season, then in the second-half we just didn’t come to the game.”
He praised Walker’s stunning goal but gave no excuses for what transpired afterwards.
“From that moment, we have to be able to adapt. We have to be able to fight, to believe in our capacity to bring back the game to 1-1.
“The first goal is a fantastic goal, but the second and third goal are completely avoidable.”
Eddie Edward, who was one of Fury FC’s best performers on the day, expressed his frustration after the match as well.
“You have the first-half where we are very comfortable and in control.
“And then the game just turned on its head. As players, we need to be aware that can happen and be mentally stronger."
He also expressed his disappointment with Fury FC’s losing start to the season, especially being an Ottawa native.
“I’m a competitor. I don’t think anyone enjoys losing. And, especially in my hometown, it hurts that much more.”
Welcoming old and new players
The former Fury FC captain and star Richie Ryan returned this weekend a part of the FC Cincy’s starting eleven. He played a clean game distributing the ball from midfield, something Fury FC fans have come to expect from the Irishmen.
After the game, he received applause from the appreciative Fury FC fans as he stood at centre-field before he took the time to take pictures with fans and sign autographs.
Fury FC also announced last week the arrival of Doneil Henry. Henry comes on loan from Vancouver Whitecap FC and is excited to join the team and get on the field.
“I want to get settled as soon as possible, get sharp and get into games.”
Henry, a Canadian international, returned to North America this past December after a stint in Europe where he played with club teams in England, Denmark and Cyprus.
Henry will bring his talent and experience and may see the field sooner rather than later considering Fury FC’s slow start to the season.
There is a quick turnaround for Fury FC as they play New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, May 2nd at 10:30 AM in a School Day Game. It will be an interesting atmosphere as kids from across Ottawa get to enjoy a day off from school and watch top soccer players compete in an important USL match.
