

Posted by

Stuart Mactaggart ,

September 19, 2014 Email

Stuart Mactaggart

On Twitter:

@BBSC_Mac

First Thoughts

The Ottawa Fury look to earn more points on road this weekend as they visit Atlanta for another important match in the clubs chase of a playoff spot. Fury coach Marc Dos Santos has described the upcoming match as having the vibe of a cup final as the team prepares for a tough road match. The match will be one of two between these clubs over the next ten days as both clubs are battling to get off the bottom of the NASL Fall Season table.



Keep Thinking

Ottawa have won two in a row on the road and will be looking to make it three as they have a much improved record (2-2-1) over the last five games than they did over the first four matches (0-0-4) of the Fall Season. Dos Santos believes that failure to capture any points in the first four games of the Fall Season is partially due to the team having five weeks off between the two seasons, halting all the momentum and confidence that Fury had built at the end of the Spring Season, however they have recently been able to recapture that form and have several games left in the season. Although playoff hopes are slim after the poor start to the Fall Season, Dos Santos has also made a point of focusing on the long term as he sums up the rest of the season by saying “every day training and every game is a showcase for every player” as they all battle for spots in next year’s roster.



Ottawa will enter the weekend with a full roster for Dos Santos to choose from as Haworth has returned to training this week. Ryan Richter returns to Ottawa on loan from Toronto after completing his three recalled games for Toronto FC. Richter will likely be in the starting XI, fitting the back four alongside Beckie, Trafford and Soria; meanwhile the midfield will set up with Ubiparipovic, Ryan and Donatelli. With a full like up to choose from, Nicki Paterson could find himself on the bench as both Ubiparipovic and Donatelli have combined for a number of points this year. Although Haworth is fit he will likely start on the bench as Mayard, Heinemann and Oliver will likely form the attacking line.



In The End

This will be a very important match for Ottawa as they are set on working towards a playoff spot, and confidence hasn’t been higher at TD Place this season. Ottawa has been strong on the road this Fall (apart from a poor showing in Carolina), and a third win a row would give the Fury squad a big lift before they would be returning to Ottawa for back to back home games vs Minnesota on September 28th and Atlanta on October 1st.



Prediction

Ottawa Fury FC 2-1 Atlanta Silverbacks