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Ottawa Excited for ‘Massive’ Chance vs. TFC

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/11/17, 10:17AM EDT

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Victory against Edmonton provided positive return to city for Edward


Photo courtesy FC Edmonton

EDMONTON, Alberta – As important as the club’s inaugural season in the USL is to Ottawa Fury FC, it might run a close second to the club finding success in the 2017 Canadian Championship.

On Wednesday night, Fury FC took a big step forward as a 3-2 victory against FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium on the night earned a 4-2 victory on aggregate in the Preliminary Round clash, and earned a first meeting with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC in the two-legged semifinals.

The defending MLS Eastern Conference champion will visit TD Place on Tuesday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the return leg at BMO Field set for Wednesday, May 31, also at 7:30 p.m. ET.

“This is massive for us,” said Fury FC Head Coach Paul Dalglish. “We wanted to make this a priority at the beginning of the season and make sure we get through this first round to bring an MLS team to TD Place and I couldn't be more proud of the players after what they achieved tonight. We've got wonderful fans and they deserve to see MLS football in our fantastic stadium. That was our mission and we've done that.”

The night couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for Fury FC, as Sito Seoane seized on a loose touch by Edmonton’s Allan Zebie to drive in on goal alone and score after just 39 seconds. The goal put Edmonton on the back foot, with Seoane’s goal leaving the Eddies needing to win outright after Ottawa claimed the away goal, and Ottawa pushed forward to try and kill the game off early. Seoane almost added to Fury FC’s lead in the eighth minute as he rattled a shot off the crossbar, while first-leg scorer Ryan Williams had a free kick turned aside by Edmonton goalkeeper Tyson Farago.

Edmonton got a foothold back in the game off a goalkeeping mistake by Callum Irving as Jake Keegan evened the game on the night, but Steevan Dos Santos’ penalty kick gave Ottawa a second away goal and the advantage at halftime. While Edmonton was able to again pull level on the night through Sainey Nyassi just past the hour-mark, it never appeared as though the Eddies would find the two additional goals it needed to overturn the aggregate advantage Ottawa held, and Dos Santos wrapped up the contest with a stoppage-time goal to give Fury FC victory on the night as well.

For former Edmonton player Eddie Edward, who returned to his hometown midway through last season to join Fury FC, a victorious return to Clarke Stadium was enjoyable.

“It’s always a nice little home-away-from-homecoming when I come back to Edmonton,” said Edward. “Obviously the guys gave it their all tonight and I’m very happy about the result, and we’re looking forward to facing TFC in the next round.”

After coming close to earning an upset against Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the semifinal stage a season ago, earning victory at TD Place before falling on the road and on aggregate to the MLS club, Fury FC is now looking forward to the challenge Toronto FC will bring.

“They're the best Canadian team ever in my opinion,” said Dalglish. “They're at the top of the conference now and with the stars that they have it's a wonderful occasion for us to host them and that's been our goal ever since the draw has been made.”

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