Ottawa Fury FC will measure itself against Charleston in United Soccer League opener
Tim Baines, Postmedia
With three potentially key reinforcements not yet ready to go, Ottawa Fury FC heads into its United Soccer League season-opening game Saturday in Charleston (7:30 pm.).
Earlier this week, Fury FC, desperately in need of help up front, got forward Shaan Hundal, defender Robert Boskovic and midfielder Aidan Daniels on year-long loan from Toronto FC. But a couple of days just isn't enough time to prepare the newbies for a game situation against the Battery.
"We're focused on the players we already had," said Fury FC coach Nikola Popovic on Friday. "They came late, much too late. We were expecting it to happen much earlier. You want your roster to be set. Now, the challenge is to have them bond with the team. It takes a bit of time, they have to understand the culture of the team, they have to understand the model of play, they have to know the names of the (other) players."
So, Fury FC — a goal-starved team that found the net just 31 times in 34 games a year ago (only Richmond was worse with 30 goals and, for comparison sake, FC Cincinnati had 72) — will move ahead, with coach and players looking forward to a solid test from strong opposition.
"We're very, very excited for the start of the season," said Popovic, whose team is coming off 2 1/2 weeks of outdoor training in Florida (at the IMG Academy in Bradenton) on a full-sized soccer pitch. "I really believe (we can score). We do not have still all the (players up front) we want to have and in future we will have. But based on this four or five weeks of preparation, we found we were much more accurate and we were able to score goals against some very difficult teams."
Fury FC has 11 players returning from the 2018 team, including Carl Haworth, Jamar Dixon and Nana Attakora. Newcomers who could play big roles for this year's squad include Christiano François, Charlie Ward, Wal Fall and Dakota Barnathan.
Once again, there will be an emphasis on developing and utilizing nationals — 15 Canadians feature in Ottawa's formation this season, half of them aged 23 or younger.
In four previous games against Charleston, three have ended in a tie, with the Battery winning 2-0 in the final game last season. The Battery reached the USL Cup playoffs for the eighth consecutive season in 2018, continuing its streak as the lone club to reach the post-season in every year of the league's history. For a second consecutive year, Charleston was eliminated at home in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals by the New York Red Bulls II.
The Battery should be considered a solid playoff contender again this season. The side returns All-League first-team midfielder Tah Anunga, Trinidad & Tobago international forward Ataulla Guerra and stalwart centre back Taylor Mueller. Goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky also returns after taking the No. 1 spot from Odisnel Cooper a season ago.
"When you have Charleston, one of the top teams of our conference, we know they're a very experienced, strong team with good ambitions," said Popovic. "Getting them in our first game, away, it's a good test to see if we're prepared for this kind of challenge. There are teams like Louisville, like Pittsburgh, like Nashville, like Indy, like Charleston, like New York Red Bulls, like Tampa who are very, very strong. Playing a team at this level in our first game will test us to see if we're capable (of playing at that level).
"(Preparation) is going very well. At the beginning of the season, it is very difficult to understand how the opponent is going to play. However, we are prepared to have a good game."
Expectations will be high. Fans will want to see results from a system in which Popovic stresses possession.
"I really expect this team will perform in a better way than we did last year," said Popovic. "We have some quality players who will give us more consistency. We can expect a team that will be able to fight for the playoffs."
Midfielder Kevin Oliveira is one player who looks to take a leap forward in 2019. Asked about the team's system and how it suits his play, Oliveira said, "This is a system that you guys will see more from me. This is how I play. This is my game, a lot of possession and I'm pretty sure you will see a different Kevin this year, with more goals and more assists. This is what I'm ready to do."
CHALLENGE FOR 'KEEPER: Goalkeeper David Monsalve looks like he'll be Ottawa Fury FC's starting goalie — at least for now.
The team has said it would like to have three goalkeepers in place for the USL season. Young Canadian 'keeper Jordan Tisseur is also listed on the roster.
Replacing Maxime Crepeau, the top goalie in the USL last season, won't be easy. Crepeau is now with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS.
Asked about his role, Monsalve said, "It's definitely going to be a challenge. USL is a tough league, there's a lot of variety in terms of styles of play varying from team to team. For me, it's going to be an adjustment, sitting out last year and being in more of a supporting role is obviously much different from what I'm trying to do this year. I'm just taking it day by day, training by training, game by game, and hoping to progress and build in every session."
Asked about his team's preparation for its USL season opener Saturday in Charleston, Monsalve said, "It's been good. We were set up for success (with the pre-season format) and we're looking forward to the first game of the season."
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