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Fury FC Elated with Historic Win

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/24/17, 7:47AM EDT

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Canadian Championship victory against Toronto gives hope for second leg


Photo courtesy Steve Kingsman / Freestyle Photography / Ottawa Fury FC

OTTAWA – On a big night of sport in Canada’s capital that saw the NHL’s Ottawa Senators move within a win of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, Ottawa Fury FC also played its part.

In front of a season-high crowd of 7,611 fans at TD Place, Fury FC’s 2-1 victory in the first leg of its Canadian Championship Semifinal against Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC gave the club’s fans a massive victory, and hope for next Wednesday night’s return leg at BMO Field.

“As a Canadian, it's always a pleasure to be playing in the Canadian championship,” said Ottawa goalkeeper Callum Irving. “For us to be able to get a crowd like this and get a big win against an MLS squad, I think it was fantastic in front of our own fans and it was a real honor for me to be on the field for that."

Irving put in a solid display, recording a pair of saves after Toronto had taken the lead through a well-worked move that saw Benoit Cheyrou give the visitors the lead. The second, on Jordan Hamilton in stoppage time, preserved a well-earned victory.

Irving’s counterpart – former USL standout Clint Irwin – was in fact the busier of the two goalkeepers as the hosts got onto the front foot in the second half. After testing Irwin with only one long-range effort by Sito Seoane in the first half, Fury FC rallied back to put Toronto on its heels in the second.

Without most of its star names – Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco were among those given the night off by Head Coach Greg Vanney – Toronto committed errors that gave Fury FC the upper hand.

“Even resting some of the big stars, it was still a big proposition for us and I thought the guys were fantastic,” said Fury FC Head Coach Paul Dalglish. “We had to try to play the game on our terms – try to be direct, make it physical and high-tempo and I think we did that fantastically well. The guys did everything we asked them to do.”

The added pressure from Fury FC paid off first in the form of a penalty kick 11 minutes into the second half when Toronto FC II defender Mitchell Taintor – moved into the side on loan from the USL squad – committed a handball in the area. Ryan Williams converted low to the right corner to level the score.

Then with 18 minutes to go the winner arrived, a bad pass by Toronto’s Jay Chapman giving the chance for Tucker Hume to gain possession in the TFC penalty area. Hume was able to hold off his marker and allow Seoane to take the ball, and his shot deflected in off Drew Moor and into the left corner.

Ottawa had to hold on late, with Hamilton’s close-range chance almost spoiling the night for the club, but now Fury FC will take a lead to BMO Field and the hope of earning the result it needs to make a major piece of club history.

“We're happy to put on a show for our fans tonight,” said Fury FC captain Lance Rozeboom. “The guys battled extremely well, we've had a lot of games in the last few weeks and the guys continue to show their character and battle. I'm so proud of this group.”

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