Ottawa Fury FC continued to build off of last week`s impressive performance vs. San Antonio to earn their first win of the Fall Season at Indy Eleven, triumphing 1-2. Manager Marc Dos Santos selected the same starting XI in Indianapolis that he chose last week in Ottawa, setting up in their usual 4-3-3 formation.



The road trip for the Fury FC was a brutal one for the players and the coaching staff, as multiple delays at various airports caused the trip from Ottawa to Indianapolis to take more than fifteen hours. On top of the travel delay, the Fury FC players had to deal with the game itself being delayed several times from its 7:30pm EDT kick-off time to 9:45pm due to thunderstorms in the area. Nevertheless, Ottawa was able to persevere through the difficult preparations to come out yet on top in the 2nd round of the NASL Class of 2014 expansion battle.



The Opening 45

The starting XI remained unchanged from the previous week’s match vs. San Antonio, for the first settled line-up in several months. CB Omar Jarun, RB Andres Fresenga and winger Oliver did not make the trip to Indiana due to their respective injuries.



Ottawa started the game with a great scoring chance within fifteen seconds, and continued to keep up the pressure for the first fifteen minutes of the half. The Fury FC seemed to have found a comfort zone within their style of play as they worked the ball around well, with quick passes and through balls providing pace to the Fury`s game. In the eighth minute, ST Tom Heinemann latched onto a fantastic pass from CM Nicki Paterson, but his half-volley was saved by Indy keeper Kristian Nicht. However, the ball landed at the feet of CM Sinisa Ubiparipovic and as he brought the ball into the box he was brought down, drawing a Fury FC penalty kick. Paterson stepped up to take the PK, but unfortunately, he failed to place the penalty with enough power on the wet pitch, with Nicht diving the right way and making the save.



Indy Eleven slowly worked their way into the game as they started to gain more possession in midfield and created a few chances near the end of the half, with English Championship veteran Jermaine Johnson testing GK Romuald Peiser with shots from outside of the penalty area. Shortly before halftime, Fury CB Drew Beckie stumbled awkwardly while jogging backwards, laying on the pitch for several minutes before being stretchered off and being replaced by CM Tony Donatelli. Dos Santos shifted his team around quite a bit, with RB Ryan Richter moving to centre-back to take Beckie’s spot, RW Phil Davies moving to right-back, Paterson moving to Davies’s spot and Donatelli taking over in RCM.

The Second Half

The second half started much like the first, with Fury getting some chances right out of the gates, including a fantastic LW Carl Haworth free kick from just outside the 18-yard box that had the keeper beat, but glanced off the side of the upright. As seen several times this Fall Season, Ottawa struggled to take control as the second half progressed and slowly let the opponent take over the game and create more chances. Indy Eleven had several chances as the half progressed, led by CM Kleberson, often attempting shots at goal from well outside the penalty area and forcing Peiser to make several important and stunning saves to keep the Fury FC in the game. Ottawa got an unexpected breakthrough in the 70th minute as Donatelli was plowed over from behind on a cross to draw a penalty kick, Ottawa`s second of the match. This time around, Heinemann stood up and confidently slotted the ball into the lower right corner of the net as he sent the keeper the wrong way, giving Ottawa a 1-0 lead and restoring some well-needed confidence from the penalty spot after missing two penalties in consecutive matches.



Indy now pushed for an equalizer, while Ottawa went on the counter-attacking mode, seeking to preserve its fragile lead. Indy would find their goal in the 84th minute as a mishit bicycle kick attempt from Johnson landed at the feet of Don Smart, whose shot hit the inside of the post before going in. The Fury showed character following this latest setback, however, immediately pushing play down the field looking for their second lead of the game. The smoke had not cleared from the Indy Eleven supporters section when Donatelli headed a left-flank cross from LB Ramon Soria across the six-yard box for Ubiparipovic to volley the ball in to give the Fury their second lead of the night. The game ended with the 1-2 scoreline, giving Ottawa their first win of the Fall Season and their second in Indianapolis this year, lifting Ottawa off the bottom of the full season standings.



Man of the Match Sinisa Ubiparipovic

Sinisa Ubiparipovic showed his excellent playmaking, drawing a penalty, making dangerous passes throughout the game and scoring the game winner. The main creative hub for the Fury FC, this was a match where Ubiparipovic used his passing abilities and vision to create chances, while the game winner was a quite-welcomed contribution.



Honorable Mention



Romuald Peiser made a couple of fantastic saves during this game that undoubtedly keep the Fury FC in the game while it was still 0-0. He showed his experience, coming off the line when needed and doing a great job at stopping powerful shots from outside the box. Ottawa Fury Line-up

Ottawa (4-3-3) – Peiser; Soria, Trafford, Beckie (Donatelli 45’), Richter; Ubiparipovic (Maykon 87’), Ryan (c), Paterson; Haworth, Heinemann (Dantas 71’), Davies



Indy (4-4-2) – Nicht (c); Norales, Okiomah, Frias, Hyland; Pineda, Peña (Mares 90’), Kléberson, Smith; Johnson, Ambersley (Smart 79’)



Ottawa Goals: Heinemann (PK 70′), Ubiparipovic (86′); Assist: Donatelli (86′)



Indy Goal: Smart (84′)



Ottawa Injuries and Suspensions: Jarun, Fresenga, Oliver