PREVIEW | Fury FC vs. Indy

A well-rested Ottawa Fury FC is aiming to get back in the win column when it hosts Indy Eleven on Saturday afternoon.

“We are all very aware of the importance of this game,” said head coach Marc Dos Santos, who is confident that his squad is in the right frame of mind to earn all three points in the upcoming contest.

“Everyone is focused on the details that will make us successful, and we all know this will be another great challenge. The team has been working well, the attitude has been good, and we are looking forward to coming back to play this weekend.”

Ottawa’s defensive woes are no longer a point of concern after conceding just one goal in the past two games, 1-0 in a tight contest against the league-leading New York (May 2) and a scoreless draw against the second-place Tampa Bay Rowdies (May 9). A much-needed bye has allowed for some tired legs to rest after playing four games in 11 days to close out the month of April.

While the defense looks sharp, the offense is the final piece of the puzzle, but it certainly hasn’t been for lack of chances – Ottawa (1W-2D-3L, 5 points) sits second in the NASL in shots and have out-chanced and out-possessed their opponents in most games this season.

Indy Eleven had a bright start to their 2015 campaign coming out of the gate with a win and three draws. The month of May, however, hasn’t been as kind to the second-year club, as they’ve dropped their last two outings to Jacksonville (1-0) and Minnesota (3-1). Like Ottawa, goals have been hard to come by for Indy, especially in their last three games where they have been outscored 5-2.

The Eleven (1-3-2,6) have yet to record a win at home this season, despite sellout crowds at every home match, but have recorded a 1-1-1 record on the road. Midfielder Sergio Peňa leads Indy in scoring with two goals on the season and will be the key player if they are to have success on Saturday. Kristian Nicht has also returned to Indy Eleven after the club had transferred him to the Montreal Impact during their chase for the CONCACAF Champions League title. The Impact released Nicht shortly after the final, and Indy Eleven quickly re-signed the veteran ‘keeper.

Fury FC took six out of nine possible points from Indy last season, recording its first ever road victory, 4-2, and taking another win in Indy, 2-1, later in the season. The Eleven stole all three points at TD Place with a 2-1 win of its own.