RECAP | Fury FC 2, Eddies 0

FC Edmonton suffered its first defeat in five matches in the Fall Season, dropping a 2-0 decision to Ottawa Fury FC. Ottawa sealed a postseason spot with the Sunday win in front of 6,050 fans at TD Place.

Fury FC midfielder Siniša Ubiparipovic scored a goal in each half to seal the win, while goalkeeper Romuald Peiser made two crucial saves off of Edmonton free kicks to maintain the clean sheet.

FC Edmonton had the first shot on target of the match on 18 minutes, when midfielder Dustin Corea worked a powerful free kick over the wall, but Peiser stood strong to stop the early opportunity.

Five minutes later, Ottawa’s first chance on target resulted in the first goal of the match. Paulo Jr. got past a sliding Allan Zebie on the left wing to find a wide-open Ubiparipovic, who finished past Eddies ‘keeper Matt VanOekel for the 1-0 lead.

The Eddies’ second clear-cut chance of the half also came through a set piece on 36 minutes. Free-kick specialist Lance Laing placed a low and powerful attempt towards the corner of the net, but Peiser stretched and saved Laing’s attempt to maintain the 1-0 lead.

The teams would head into the break with Ottawa holding a 1-0 advantage.

After a promising looking chance from Edmonton defender Eddie Edward just minutes prior, Ottawa would extend its lead to 2-0. Ubiparipovic received the ball on the edge of the six-yard box from Ryan Richter and after Edward blocked his first attempt, Ubiparipovic’s second shot from the edge of the box found the back of the Edmonton net.

Eddies midfielder Thiago de Freitas entered the match on 76 minutes after missing the last five matches due to injury. Seven minutes later, the Brazilian midfielder nearly cut Ottawa’s lead in half, but his blistering shot hit the post from the corner of the Ottawa area.

The Eddies were unable to break through Fury FC’s solid defense in the remaining 10 minutes as Ottawa would maintain their two-goal lead through to the final whistle.

“Congratulations to Ottawa for qualifying for the postseason, it is thoroughly deserved,” FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller said following the match. “I didn’t think there was too much between the two teams today. There are still four games to play and we will just have to be better against the New York Cosmos next week.”