

Posted by

Stuart Mactaggart ,

April 21, 2015 Email

Stuart Mactaggart

On Twitter:

@FuryFanatic

Ottawa host Edmonton in Canadian Championship Opening Round



Ottawa Fury FC will host FC Edmonton Wednesday evening in the first round of the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship. The two Canadian NASL clubs will start another chapter in their Canadian rivalry with the added thrill of a two legged cup tie. Last season FC Edmonton took the bragging rights winning 3-1 at home following a 0-0 draw in Ottawa.



Ottawa Fury are coming off a big win against Minnesota on Saturday, while FC Edmonton will also be brimming with confidence after defeating the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 3-2 in Edmonton on Sunday. Previous matches between the two clubs have often been very physical and heated, and with both clubs coming off big wins there is no reason why this Wednesday evenings match will be any different.



Keep Thinking



Ottawa Fury will have a near full line up heading into the match as all suspensions have been served and knocks healed. Richie Ryan may make his return to the starting line up after featuring for 15 minutes on the weekend, possibly giving fans the first chance to see Ryan play alongside De Guzman for the first time. Ubiparipovic, who won the Canadian Championship in 2013 with Montreal Impact, is also available for selection.



FC Edmonton will be without 2014 NASL Golden Glove winning goalkeeper John Smits, as the Mississauga native has joined Montreal Impact on a short term loan to be back up keeper in the Champions League Final ties between the Montreal Impact and Mexican club America. Edmonton has had a great offensive start to the season, including Nyassi being named NASL player of the week last week, and Miller will be looking for his squad to break down a strong Fury back four to grab an important away goal in the opening leg of the tie.



In The End



This match will be a very important for both teams and unlike European club where top players are rested for domestic cup ties, both Edmonton and Ottawa will likely put out their strongest starting XI and put forth their strongest effort. Both clubs have played attractive attacking football so far this year and with the added rivalry between the two teams this match will certainly be one to watch.



FC Edmonton will host Ottawa Fury in the second leg of this tie on April 29th at Clarke Stadium, with the CSA moving the start time to 10pm ET so that it doesn’t overlap with Impact’s second leg of their Champions League Final.



Prediction

Ottawa Fury 3-2 FC Edmonton