P osted by

Stuart Mactaggart ,

September 23, 2015 Email

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Ottawa Fury defeated the New York Cosmos 4-1 on their second game of their three game road streak, extending their lead atop the Fall Season standings to five points. The victory marks what is likely the clubs most important and convincing win in their short two year history and certainly increases the Canadian clubs chance of not only participating in the NASL Championship but also possibly hosting a match.



Tom Heinemann returned up front for Ottawa, replacing Aly Hassan who was featured in the starting eleven vs Fort Lauderdale. Paulo Jr and Carl Haworth started down the wings, while the back four and middle three remain unchanged from recent matches. This would be Fury’s second game in four days, and mark the half way point of a nine day road trip that sees them visit Florida, New York and Carolina.



First Half



As expected, the star studded Cosmos took control of the match early on at home, spending the first 20 minutes passing the bass around with confidence and forcing Fury to chase the ball. Ottawa slowly worked their way into the match and were able to take the lead in the 31st minute as Colin Falvey headed a ball across the box and Paulo Jr was able to latch himself on the end of the pass and slot home an important first goal for the visiting team.



Fury continued to pressure heading towards half time, while Cosmos players were seen spending more time on the turf complaining about the physical style of play Fury were operating under, but the referee would have none of it. The match would enter half time with the visitors leading 1-0 and looking strong in the final 25 minutes of the half.



Second Half



Cosmos came out of the gate looking for an equalizer, and they’d find it in the 47th minute through Flores, who was able to head on a well placed cross past a diving Peiser to draw the home team level. Cosmos would continue to add pressure throughout the half, seriously testing Peiser, and forcing the Frenchman to show why he is the leading golden glove candidate.



Fury would regain their lead in the 56th minute when Paulo Jr would find his second of the match after neatly putting the ball over keeper and into the top of the net from short range. Fortunes would continue to go Ottawa’s way as Tom Heinemann would have a shot/cross redirected on net by Mendes in the 77th minute to give Ottawa a 3-1 lead. Just a minute later Heinemann would score a fourth goal to complete the rout of the Cosmos and walk away with three points.



Ottawa made a big statement both with the win and the fashion in which they did it. They are a serious title contented and nothing seems to shake them, from rotating injuries, to MDS announcing his departure or spending over a week on the road. They’ve won the first two of their three road matches and will complete their trip in Carolina where they play the Railhawks on Saturday.



Man of the Match



Paulo Jr scored two goals, both of which required strong finishing. He has found his scoring touch in recent matches and has become a serious threat down the win and inside the box.



Honorable Mention



Peiser put everything on the line to keep Fury in the match, and certainly showcased his command of the 18 yard box and why he is the best keeper in the league.