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Fury FC’s Dos Santos Stuns Kickers

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/15/17, 7:07PM EDT

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Goal from halfway line earns Ottawa first win in USL era


Photo courtesy Pattie Anderson / Richmond Kickers

RICHMOND, Va. – A spectacular goal from the halfway line by Steevan Dos Santos lifted Ottawa Fury FC to its first win in the USL on Saturday evening as it defeated the Richmond Kickers 1-0 at City Stadium. With 11 minutes to go a clearance upfield was flicked on by Tucker Hume, and Dos Santos caught the ball on the volley to send a finish that sailed over Kickers’ goalkeeper Matt Turner before taking one bounce and going into the net. Alhadj Kamara was bright early in his first start for the Kickers, and almost gave Richmond the lead in the 13th minute when he had a header cleared off the line. Richmond’s Fred Owusu Sekyere also went close 20 minutes later from 15 yards, only for Ottawa goalkeeper to turn it wide for a corner, while Oliver hit the post with a strong left-footed shot in first-half stoppage time. Ottawa had only two shots in the first half, but went close to breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute when Sito Seoane sent a finish just wide of the right post. Richmond’s Samuel Asante had a header saved at the right post with 15 minutes to go, while Ottawa’s Andrae Campbell fired over moments later, but a Dos Santos’ finish earned Ottawa all three points as it now prepares for its home opener.

Scoring: 
79’ – OTT – Steevan Dos Santos (Tucker Hume)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. In what has already been a week of remarkable goals, Fury FC’s Steevan Dos Santos put forward his contender to stand alongside OKC Energy FC’s Miguel Gonzalez on Tuesday night and New York City FC’s David Villa on Friday. Dos Santos’ finish from the halfway line on a looping, first-time volley from the header of Tucker Hume left Kickers goalkeeper Matt Turner completely helpless, and will send Ottawa into its home opener at TD Place next Saturday on a major high.

  • 2. Coming off back-to-back outings that saw the team held scoreless, the Kickers’ health in attack took a major step forward as both Alhadj Kamara and Oliver made their first starts of the season, and both threatened to give the hosts the lead in the first half. D.C. United loanee Kamara in particular had a decent outing as the central target for Richmond, holding up play well, but will want to be sharper with his passing next time out. Oliver, meanwhile, came closest to providing the deadlock against his former team, though, as two efforts late in the opening half first hit the post and then forced a good save by Callum Irving.

  • 3. Ottawa had much better tempo and control over possession in the first half, but it wasn’t until after the halftime break that Fury FC began to threaten properly in the attacking third. Sito Seoane almost found the opener after a good flicked pass by Steevan Dos Santos into the left side of the penalty area, while Tucker Hume and Andrae Campbell also went close. In the end, though, it took Dos Santos’ moment of brilliance to earn the side its first victory of the season, and the club’s USL era.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Steevan Dos Santos, Ottawa Fury FC – Dos Santos’ first goal for Fury FC not only earned the club its first win in the USL, but also gave OKC’s Miguel Gonzalez serious competition for USL Goal of the Season.

Upcoming Games:
Richmond Kickers
vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds – April 22, 5 p.m. ET, City Stadium
Ottawa Fury FC vs. Toronto FC II – April 22, 2 p.m. ET, TD Place

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