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The result kept alive the Fury’s slim chances of making the NASL playoffs and temporarily stopped San Antonio from claiming one of the four post-season places.

After the game, Richter revealed this was only his third goal as a professional. By his own admission, Richter – on loan from Toronto FC – did not have one of his better games.Saturday night. He struggled, in particular, to contain San Antonio’s attacking midfielder Julius James.

Dos Santos was boasting about the character of his team after the game.

“These guys were warriors tonight,” he said. “The City of Ottawa looks for teams that fight all the way and that’s what we want to give them.”

The game was frantic from the first whistle between two teams with much to play for. Early play was scrappy but, with 11 minutes gone, the Scorpions went ahead.

It was a strange goal. Rafael Castillo pumped a 35-yard free kick into the Fury penalty area that evaded lunging defenders and the stretching legs of attackers, bounced once and skidded into the back of the net untouched.

That appeared to unnerve the Fury who picked up three yellow cards in 10 minutes. The halftime chat put an end to that. Ottawa regained its composure and began to gain control of the ball in midfield, slowing the San Antonio attack.

The hunt for the equalizer required taking more risks. Dos Santos also sent in Tony Donatelli, Vini Dantas and Oliver who breathed fresh life into the visitors. Both goalkeepers had to be sharp to counter attacks and Fury central defender Mason Trafford needed to be smart to head one effort off his line.