

Posted by

Stuart Mactaggart ,

November 17, 2014 Email

Stuart Mactaggart

On Twitter:

@FuryFanatic_Mac

With the NASL season officially over it is time to look back at Ottawa Fury’s inaugural season, specifically the squad and its performance. The squad was put together in less than six months by Marc Dos Santos, a tough challenge for any manager, and it will likely see some changes made to it following the first year. We look at who stood out, who blended in and who disappointed as we look at the Ottawa Fury FC report card for 2014.



Devala Gorrick – C+

Gorrick was the #1 keeper through the Spring Season and made several important saves that kept Ottawa in games early on. He would have been a good #1 keeper for the Fall Season had Peiser not been brought in. However, after making a few mistakes early on in the Fall Season, he lost his #1 spot and was unable to reclaim it. Gorrick is a great person to have in the locker-room, however, he is a wasted talent sitting on the Fury bench and he will likely move to a team that can utilize him better next year.



Romuald Peiser – B+

Peiser was brought in by Dos Santos just before the beginning of the Fall Season, bringing with him a lot of experience and skill. Having played in Europe at a high level, Peiser was able to stand out in the Fury squad for the second half of the season. His passion for the club and football in general was evident from the start, and Romuald will likely enjoy at least another year in Ottawa as the #1 keeper.



Kenny Caceros – N/A

Caceros didn’t get enough appearances to make a proper report on him. As a local player he will likely not make the cut for next year’s squad, as Dos Santos will look to bring in experienced players to challenge for a playoff spot.







Mason Trafford – B+

Mason Trafford played all but 85 minutes of the season, certifying himself as the go to central defender in the Fury squad. The American-born Canadian will be an important part of the club moving forward, as he provides the right mix of skill, experience and determination. Trafford became a fan favourite over the course of the season and he will look to cement his place in Fury history with another strong season next year.



Drew Beckie – B

Drew Beckie settled down alongside Trafford in central defense, providing Ottawa with an All-Canadian centre back pairing. Beckie has a bright future ahead of him if he can continue to build upon the progress he made this season, and he is likely heading into the prime of his career over the next few seasons.



Ryan Richter – C+

Richter was on loan from Toronto FC for much of the season and fit in perfectly at right back. He provided a lot of pace down the wing as well as experience in defense. Richter seemed to enjoy his time in Ottawa and we could see his loan deal turn into a long-term contract. He had a few hiccups along way, including giving the ball away, resulting in an Indy Eleven goal. However, his skill and talent make him an important part of the Fury back four.



Maykon Araujo – D

The experienced Brazilian never seemed to properly fit in with Ottawa and he left the club by mutual consent during the Fall Season. Although he found himself starting at left back for some of the year, he struggled to impress both coaches and fans and was demoted to the bench in favour of Soria.



Ramon Soria – C

Soria struggled to find a spot in the squad during the Spring Season and as a natural centre back was competing with Beckie, Jarun and Trafford for a starting spot. When Maykon left the club, Soria took over in the left back position and had quite a few solid games. His ability to move to left back allowed him to come into the starting eleven and show his speed and skill with the ball. He will be fighting for a spot at the club next year but finished off strong.



Omar Jarun – C

Jarun had a decent Spring Season, using his height and strength to win balls, even scoring a few goals along the way. He fell to the bench as Trafford and Beckie impressed together. However, he was able to make his way back into the starting eleven near the end of the Fall Season, where he once again impressed. He is a fantastic depth player but he will be competing for a spot in the starting line up for next season if he is kept around.



O’Brian Woodbine – C

Woodbine joined the club with just a few months left in the Fall Season and quickly took over at the left back position. Following the departure of Maykon, Woodbine was brought in on trial and impressed the coaching staff, earning a contract after only a few weeks with the club. His pace and experience down the left wing added a lot to the Fury attack and his composure and resilience defending provided the Fury with a strong back four.



Tony Donatelli – B

Donatelli had a great season for Ottawa Fury FC, scoring four goals and assisting on another four. Although he lacked the flash and speed that Ubiparipovic provided, he was able to remain extremely consistent and provided Ottawa with a reliable midfield. The American midfielder will likely be an important part of the Fury squad heading into their second year.







Richie Ryan – B+

Ottawa Fury’s captain had a great season, playing central defensive midfield, one of the hardest roles in a 4-3-3. His composure and experience on the ball helped Ottawa control play and allowed for his fellow midfielders to push up in the attack. He seemed to get more comfortable as the season progressed and was able to finish the season strong, winning the Player of the Year award. His free-kick vs Minnesota United was likely the Fury goal of the year.



Sinisa Ubiparipovic – B

Ubiparipovic was Ottawa’s flashiest player, providing skill and technique that is often seen at top level of football. When he was on his game, Ubiparipovic was the best player on the Fury squad; however there were also games when he seemed to go almost unnoticed. Arguably the most talented footballer on the team, Ubiparipovic seemed to get frustrated fairly easily, often negatively affecting his game. He was the driving force behind many Fury goals, including the 4 he netted himself, and hewill be a very important part in the squad next year.



Nicki Paterson – C+

Paterson missed the Spring Season due to injury and struggled to find a spot in the starting eleven during the Fall Season. With only three midfield positions available in Dos Santo’s 4-3-3 formation, Paterson spent much of the Fall Season battling with Ubiparipovic and Donatelli for a starting spot. Nicki Paterson was the first signing for Ottawa and was expected to have a stronger season, but he was able to have a decent finish to the year and he will look to build on that next year. Paterson is a key member of the squad both on and off the pitch and he will be an important part of the club moving forward.



Mauro Eustaquio – C

Mauro only had a handful of appearances this season as a central midfielder, spending much of the year on the bench as Richie Ryan’s understudy. Taking on the key position in the 4-3-3 formation, the young Canadian showed a lot of composure and impressed in his few starts. He was given a straight red card in the last game of the season following a bone-crunching tackle. However, he is still young and learning the game at a professional level.







Philippe Davies – C

Phil Davies was perhaps one of the most versatile players in the Fury squad, starting in the right back, right midfield and right forward positions over the course of the season. Although he struggled to properly settle into the squad for the most part of the season, there is no doubt that his ability to play in multiple positions allowed him to fill in when needed. Although he is naturally a midfielder, Davies provided a great attacking force down the wing as a forward and he was able to play right back when injuries piled up.



Carl Haworth – C

Carl Haworth had a decent season for Ottawa Fury FC, providing two goals and an assist. With three strikers, Haworth was usually utilized in the right or left forward positions for the Fury, providing pace and composure in the attack. He scored the first Fury goal at TD Place and he will likely be fighting for a spot in the starting eleven again next season.



Pierre-Rudolph Mayard – C

Mayard spent the majority of the season on the bench, but he was able to break into the squad midway through the Fall Season as injuries piled up for Ottawa. He was able to score one goal this year, but lacked the final touch needed to add to that tally. Having worked with Dos Santos previously in Montreal, Mayard may be struggling to keep his spot in the Fury squad for next season.



Vini Dantas – C+

Dantas will forever go down in Ottawa Fury history for scoring their first ever Fury franchise goal. He played nearly every match for Ottawa this year; however the majority of them were off the bench. As one of two central strikers in the Fury squad, Dantas was the go to forward in the Spring Season while Tom Heinemann was out injured. He fell to the #2 striker during the Fall Season, proving to be an important player off the bench. Dantas was able to score two goals and set up four throughout the course of the season. Although he lacks the pace that some other Fury strikers have, his strength on the ball allows Fury to keep possession in the attacking third and work the ball towards the net.







Tom Heinemann – B -

Heinemann missed the Spring Season through injury, returning for the last home game of the season vs FC Edmonton to score the 90th minute winner. As a fan favourite, the tall, lean American was the main central striker through the Fall Season. Frustrating at times, Heinemann missed a few scoring opportunities that probably would have made him Ottawa’s leading scorer. At the end of the day Heinemann has great finishing, but lacked the consistency to reach his full potential. Heinemann will likely be a fan favourite and core aspect of the squad once again next season.



Oliver Minatel – B

Oliver finished the season as the Ottawa Fury’s top goal scorer, netting seven goals and three assists. The young Brazilian struggled with injuries at times, but proved to be a vital part of Ottawa’s attack. Oliver scored two goals in Ottawa’s biggest win of the year over Carolina and he was able to rescue a point again in the fall season through a late goal. Having sustained a serious oral injury, Oliver showed determination in returning to the starting line up and impressing once more. Oliver will be the one to watch for Ottawa next season and he could easily become Ottawa’s most talented players.