August 2, 2014 – Minnesota United FC vs Ottawa Fury FC – Preview

Ottawa Injuries: CB Omar Jarun (doubtful), CM Tony Donatelli (doubtful), LW Oliver (day-to-day), RB Drew Beckie (day-to-day)

When: Saturday, August 2, 2014 @ 5:30pm EDT

Where: TCF Bank Stadium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (Watch at NASLLive.com; Listen at CFRA 580AM)

Excerpt from match preview on RedNation Online

“Ottawa Fury FC hits the road again, travelling to Minnesota this week to face the NASL Spring Season champions on Saturday as it attempts to break its 4-game winless streak and scoring drought. The league match between the two sides has been shifted to TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota, and immediately follows the International Champions Cup friendly between Manchester City and Olympiacos, as Minnesota is expected to better the NASL single-game attendance record that Ottawa set just 3 weeks ago in their fall season opener against the New York Cosmos at TD Place.

Ottawa sits on 1 point after its first three matches in the Fall Season, having lost 3-0 away at Carolina last Saturday in a match in which they were dominated, particularly in the 1st half. Minnesota, meanwhile, sits on 7 points after its three matches, most recently conceding an injury-time equalizer in a 1-1 away draw with Atlanta. Minnesota is an impressive 4-1-0 in its league matches at home, while Ottawa has accumulated a record of 1-1-4 in its away league matches.

Ottawa LW Oliver’s status remains day-to-day, as he continues to nurse an ankle injury, while RB Drew Beckie, who made a return to the bench in the club’s previous match, also remains day-to-day for the Fury. Both players are expected to return to the 18-man matchday squad against Minnesota. GK Romuald Peiser finalizes his buildup to full match fitness after his move from Academica de Coimbra in Portugal. RedNation Online understands that he will be in the matchday squad, and may potentially push Devala Gorrick for a spot in the starting lineup. CB Omar Jarun and CM Tony Donatelli have picked up training injuries this week, and are doubtful for the matchday.

The offensive drought has worried Ottawa supporters as well, and the formation may yet shift from the 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation employed last week, perhaps back to the 4-3-3 formation that the players have performed the most admirably in so far.”

From Minnesota United FC: “The TCF Bank Stadium field is just 65-yards wide – nearly ten yards narrower than most soccer stadiums. For a team like United, which plays well from the wing and works the ball outside-in, a narrow field poses some unique challenges… Add to that attack a new signing, Rafael Edgardo Burgos, who has been a prolific scorer for his national side and available for play Saturday, going forward United will be extremely dangerous.”

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OFFC: http://www.ottawafuryfc.com/news/detail/uuid/2c8xg59q5fc119xp6iwuzdj0p/match-preview-minnesota-united-fc-vs-ottawa-fury-fc#.U9uaKrEkzrc

MUFC: http://www.mnunitedfc.com/news/detail/uuid/6ol5zzb24ata1dmabevrwtw3l/preview-minnesota-united-fc-vs-ottawa-fury-fc#.U9uaQ7Ekzrc

Ottawa Sun: http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/08/01/gameday-ottawa-fury-fc-vs-minnestoa-fc and http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/07/31/sorias-work-ethic-paying-dividends-for-ottawa-fury and http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/07/30/loudest-ottawa-fury-fc-fans-stay-in-section-w (#WeAreSectionW)

RNO: http://rednationonline.ca/Articles2014/CountdownMinnesotaUnitedvOttawaFuryFC.aspx

OFFC Review: https://offcreview.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/nasl-2014-matchday-13-at-minnesota-preview

TSN 1200 Corner Kicks: http://autopod.ca/chum/28/podcasts/

RNO SMR Ours is the Fury: http://www.rednationonline.ca/Podcasts2014/OursistheFuryFurystalledingoallessdrought.aspx