Article content continued

Coach Marc Dos Santos juggled his lineup to meet the threat of the fast-breaking, strong-scoring Strikers. Vini Dantas stepped in for Heinemann, Mauro Eustaquio replaced Ryan as a defensive midfielder and Nicki Paterson wore the captain’s armband.

There was also a new-look central defensive duo, with Drew Beckie and Ramon Soria teaming up. That meant no room for Omar Jarun and Mason Trafford did not have the distinction of playing every minute of every game, although he did come in in the closing moments.

Dos Santos, mindful of the counter-attacking pace that has helped Fort Lauderdale so successfully, played his usual three-man midfield and three forwards, but with instructions to the wide forwards to slot back into a five-man midfield as soon as the Fury lost the ball.

It worked beautifully and Ottawa was clearly the better side in the opening half. There was one purple patch in which they scored once and should have scored a second.

The goal came in the 16th minute. A series of quick passes confused the Striker defence, allowing Tony Donatelli to pick out Paterson with a pass on the edge of the penalty area. The captain made no mistake, firing his shot low into the corner of the net to the left of a helpless Kamil Contoflasky.

The pressure was now really on the home team, and nine minutes later Oliver should have made it 2-0 when he was sent clear thanks to a clever reverse through ball from Dantas. This time, Contoflasky made a save that kept his team in the game. Racing off his line, he stretched out a leg to divert Oliver’s low shot wide of the post.