Article content

His roots might be in Serbia and Portugal, but the only national championship Nikola Popovic cares about at this juncture in his coaching career is a Canadian Championship.

The Ottawa Fury FC head coach doesn’t mind the extra games and travel that go with the Canadian Championship series even though it means taking some of the focus away from trying to earn a United Soccer League playoff spot.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Ottawa Fury coach sees facing favoured Toronto as an opportunity Back to video

So having the face the highly-favoured Toronto FC in a two-leg series beginning Wednesday night at TD Place is not a burden but an opportunity.

“It’s important for all of Canadian football,” said Popovic. “The more Canadian players we can get playing at the highest level we have here, is very important for getting more players who can help the National Team.

“When I say it’s the ‘most important game of the season for us’ I am saying that the message is we must enhance our own players.

“Our (Canadian) players must have a place where they can play at the highest level. When they complete their time _ or studies _ at the soccer academies, we must give them that chance.”

Popovic, along with GM Julian de Guzman, are getting close to some day fielding an almost entirely Canadian roster.

Two recent signings of Canadian players have them at 65 percent and the pair are following other Canadians elsewhere.

“We must value this (Canadian) championship,” said Popovic. “It is very important to what we are trying to build with the Fury FC. It is part of our project here.”