Fury FC fall 3-1 despite strong first half

Ottawa Fury FC struck early in their road match on Saturday night in North Carolina, when Thiago De Freitas opened the game’s scoring early on in the 4th minute, giving Ottawa an early lead.  Fury FC went on to have more scoring chances during the opening 45 minutes, but either were stopped by the goalkeeper or came up just short on a few attempts.  After a convincing opening half, Fury FC headed to the locker room with a 1-0 lead.

North Carolina FC’s Sam Brotherton tied the game eight minutes into the second half.  Both teams would trade scoring chances in what was an entertaining and nail-biting second half, but NCFC took the lead late in the game when substitute Robert Kristo’s shot took an bounce off a defender and went on to trickle into the net.  That stood as the game’s winning goal, with North Carolina adding a late insurance goal in stoppage time.

STORYLINES

• Thiago De Freitas’ early goal in the fourth minute was his first USL goal with Ottawa Fury FC.  Thiago had previously scored two goals for Fury FC, but were all in the Canadian Championship.
• Fury FC striker Mour Samb made a return to the lineup when he came on as a sub in the 75th minute.  Samb had missed a long period of the season due to a foot injury, after having a strong start to the year.
• Fury FC dominated North Carolina FC in the shot department during the first half, with more than double their opponent’s shots (8-3).
  • Ottawa also ended the game with more shots directed to the net, with a total of 13 against 11.

 
 
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Head Coach Nikola Popovic
It was a very even game between two teams who in my opinion play some of the most beautiful football in the USL. We dominated and had a lot more scoring chances in the first half, but they came out in the second half and scored on a set play in, and then a bad bounce for their second goal. However, we created a lot of chances, we shot a lot of times and I don’t believe the scoreboard shows what really happened. I think we have to be proud of our guys and the way they battled until the very end tonight, and give credit to North Carolina FC they are a fantastic team, but I think if we continue to play the way that we did tonight, great things will come for us.
 
MATCH REPORT

Starting XI
Ottawa Fury FC (4-3-3): Irving; Haworth ©, Meilleur-Giguère, Barnathan, Tissot; Ward, Thiago (69’ Mannella), Gagnon-Laparé; François (75’ Samb), Barry, Fall (74’ Oliveira)

North Carolina FC (4-5-1): Tambakis; Brotherton, Comsia, Taylor, Guillen ; Fortune (70’ Perez), Speas (84’ Da Luz), Smith, Albadawi, Miller ©; Ewolo (75’ Kristo)

Scoring Summary

4’ – OTT Thiago (Haworth)
53’ – NC Brotherton (Smith)
82’ – NC Kristo (Perez)
89’ – NC Albadawi (Perez)

Caution Summary

10’ – NC Albadawi
26’ – NC Guillen
44’ – OTT Fall
45+2’ – OTT Gagnon-Laparé
63’ – NC Fortune
83’ – NC Fortune
90+ - OTT Tissot
 
Expulsion Summary
-none-
 
Attendance
3,233