

Posted by

Stuart Mactaggart ,

April 10, 2015 Email

Stuart Mactaggart

On Twitter:

@FuryFanatic

Ottawa Fury will travel to Georgia this weekend to face Atlanta at Silverbacks Park in their second game of the 2015 season. It will be a return to familiar grounds for Ottawa’s Brandon Poltronieri and Mike Randolph, both of whom played in Atlanta last season and will be looking to help Ottawa earn important points on the road early on this year.



It will certainly be a game that Ottawa will be eager to win, as they will then go on to host 2014 Woosnam Cup Champions Minnesota United the following week. Atlanta sat bottom of the table last season and are currently under NASL ownership until a new buyer can be found, so Fury will be looking to take advantage of the struggling club early on in the season.



Keep Thinking



Once again Fury coach Marc Dos Santos will have several players missing through either suspension or injury. Mauro, Oliver and Paterson all return from suspension, however Julian De Guzman picked up two yellows in last week’s match v Carolina and will miss out this weekend. Captain Richie Ryan remains sidelined with an injury alongside Ubiparipovic, while Paulo Jr will miss this weekend’s match after picking up a knock. Dos Santos has said expects to have a full roster for Fury’s home opened April 18th.



Peiser will start as keeper, with Randolph, Falvey, Alves and Richter all likely to start in defense. With three of the most important midfielders out injured or suspended, Mauro Eustaquio will likely start in the holding midfield position, while Paterson and Misik will sit just in front. Haworth will certainly get the start on the wing after an impressive performance last week, while Oliver will make his season debut. Wiedeman will probably start up front, although Heinemann will no doubt make an appearance throughout the match.



In The End



It will be important that Ottawa don’t pick up any more injuries or suspensions this weekend, as they have a busy schedule ahead and will require a full match fit squad. It will be and important road match with Fury wanting to get off to a strong start, and Dos Santos will be looking to leave Atlanta with all three points.



Ottawa’s depth, fitness and mentality will be put to the test very early on this season. Starting April 18th they face 5 games in 14 days; including Minnesota on April 18th followed by the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship vs FC Edmonton first round on April 22th.



Prediction

Atlanta Silverbacks 1-2 Ottawa Fury