The two first pro sports franchises to play in the brand new TD Place have much more in common than the name of the game they play.

Summer 2014 signaled the arrival of both footy and football to the rebuilt Lansdowne, with the North American Soccer League's Ottawa Fury FC and the Canadian Football League's Ottawa RedBlacks moving into the new digs at almost exactly the same.

The two groups have become locker room friends, something that was seemingly inevitable considering their rooms are next to each other and are both the new kids in their respective leagues.

Each understands the struggles of being an expansion team because both the RedBlacks and Fury have gone through their share of growing pains so far this season. While both teams have spoken about not wanting to use the "expansion" excuse, the performances of both teams have underscored the difficulty of being competitive in an expansion season, regardless of the sport.

As the teams pass the midway mark of their respective seasons, both Fury and RedBlacks are trying to figure out how to get the most out their current pieces while looking ahead to the coming years and the changes they will certainly bring.

Here's a look at some of the shared difficulties experienced by Fury and RedBlacks so far this season. For the purpose of comparison, only the Fury fall season statistics -- the point the team moved to TD Place after playing its first half-season at Carleton University -- will be used.

Coaching

Both teams sought experience and pedigree when hiring their respective first coaches in franchise history. While Ottawa is his first CFL head coaching gig, RedBlacks bench boss Rick Campbell is the former defensive coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders and was an assistant coach with the Edmonton Eskimos while picking up Grey Cup rings in Edmonton in 2003 and 2005.

Fury coach Marc Dos Santos led the Montreal Impact to a United Soccer League Championship. He spent the last two years coaching in Brazil before coming to Ottawa. Dos Santos' staff also includes his brother Phil as technical director, as well as Liverpool legend-turned-goalkeeper coach Bruce Grobbelaar and longtime Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Martin Nash, brother of Canadian basketball superstar Steve Nash.

Scoring points

The ongoing story for the RedBlacks and the story for Fury through its first five games was the inability of both sides to score points. Fury was shut out of its first three matches of the fall season and four of its nine matches to date. The RedBlacks only win on their home turf came on the strength of six fields goals and not a single touch down and those troubles continued through the games that followed. The RedBlacks have just two offensive touchdowns at home with the third coming off an interception in an eventual 32-7 loss to the Stampeders. Fury, meanwhile, has scored two goals only twice in the fall season - and three times in the spring season at Carleton - with the clubs only victory coming against expansion cousins Indy Eleven.

Home wins

Fortunately for Fury FC, the team has been in some exciting games so far this year despite having yet to win at TD Place. Last-minute goals to steal points in draws don't hurt and gives the crowd something to cheer about and the fan base is slowly expanding. The RedBlacks haven't been as successful in the on-field entertainment department, throwing up some stinkers and seeing quarterback Henry Burris booed of the field against Calgary. They do, however, at least have a win at home, though that came weeks ago in the team's first-ever game at home. All that said, the RedBlacks pack the place and every home game to date has become a big party, with none of the excitement having to do with Mardi Gras beads.

Key injuries

This one has little to do with being an expansion team, but both Fury and RedBlacks have been particularly unlucky in the injury department. The RedBlacks have been without receiver Kierrie Johnson, linebacker Anton McKenzie and defensive lineman Justin Phillips who all remain on the injured list, while Ottawa most recently lost backup quarterback Thomas DeMarco (knee) and running back Chevon Walker for the rest of the season.

Fury FC's struggle with injuries date back to the spring season when they lost top striker Tommy Heinemann to an ankle injury during training camp before Scottish midfielder Nicki Paterson went down with a knee injury after the first game. Most recently, defender Omar Jarun was out a month with a calf injury, centre back Drew Beckie is just getting back from an ankle injury and forward Carl Haworth just went down with one of his own. The team has also seen captain Richie Ryan and midfielders Tony Donatelli and Oliver go down with injury at different times this year.

The good news

There was plenty of talk about the expected response to the CFL's return to Ottawa and the excitement was palpable early. But seeing 24,000 people pack into TD Place for each of the four home games so far is impressive, both considering the RedBlacks 1-9 record and the reputation of Ottawa sports fans for easily becoming restless with a losing team. It's been a similar story for Fury, albeit on a smaller scale. With soccer still finding its footing in North America, nobody really knew what to expect when it came to attendance at Lansdowne. Ottawa saw crowds of 2,500-4,000 or so while at Carleton but wound up setting a new NASL attendance record when more than 14,500 fans came out to the home opener at TD Place. Ottawa sits fourth out of 10 teams for average attendance in the fall season at 6,704. "

Key players

RedBlacks: Henry Burris, Chevon Walker, Jovon Johnson

Fury FC: Tommy Heinemann, Richie Ryan, Mason Trafford

First TD Place result:

RedBlacks: 18-17 win vs. Toronto

Fury FC: 1-0 loss to New York

Last home attendance:

RedBlacks: 24,327 (sellout)

Fury FC: 5,269" (best: 14,593)

Records (W-L-T)

Fury FC: 1-5-3

RedBlacks: 1-9

Wins at TD Place

Fury FC: 0

RedBlacks: 1

Home goals/touchdowns

Fury FC: 4 goals in 5 games

RedBlacks: 3

Position in standings