As the two largest cities in Ontario, there has always been a rivalry between Toronto and Ottawa.

On Saturday, the sporting rivalry that’s been played out in the NHL between the Maple Leafs and Senators, or more recently on the football field between the Redblacks and Argonauts, will bring together Ottawa Fury FC and Toronto FC II at TD Place for a new version of the Battle of Ontario.

As Fury FC’s home opener in the club’s inaugural season, the day promises to be a festive one as the Bytown Boys and Stormy Monday Riot welcome the club back home. With Toronto as the opponent, it could also provide some added edge to the contest.

“It’s a crucial game,” Fury FC captain Lance Rozeboom said earlier this week. “We want to make sure that they know that this is a tough game to come to and also because it is Toronto, we want to make sure, with our fans, that we establish the fact that we are the better team. Ottawa-Toronto is a rivalry, so you have to win those games. It’s important.”

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Ottawa is coming off its first win in the USL, a 1-0 victory against the Richmond Kickers that saw Steevan Dos Santos announce his arrival at his new club with a spectacular volleyed finish from the halfway line at City Stadium. Toronto’s form hasn’t been as strong as of late, with the side going winless in its past three outings after winning its opening game of the season.

With the chance to compete against a fellow Canadian side, and an in-province rival at that, TFC II could be a little more amped up than usual as it looks to spoil the party.

“It’s difficult to gauge against that, you don’t really know until the ball kicks off what the intensity is going to be like,” said Toronto Head Coach Jason Bent. “You know at some point the game will settle down. That could take 20, 25 minutes, it could take 10 minutes, we don’t necessarily know. I hope they’re excited to play, I’m excited for the match and if we have the right mental approach, and we do our jobs well first and foremost then I think we’ll be fine.” 

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For Ottawa, getting a second consecutive victory and starting its home slate out with a positive result as the club kicks off its fourth professional home slate is certainly at the forefront of the team’s thoughts. With the club’s average attendance having risen in each of the past two years, Fury FC Head Coach Paul Dalglish is hoping to reward their fans with a big curtain-raising win.

“It’s wonderful, we have fantastic supporters,” said Dalglish. “The loyalty our fans have towards us is something that we don’t take for granted. It’s something that we want to repay with aggressive, competitive performances.”