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Fury FC Focused as Canadian Championship Campaign Commences

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 06/20/18, 2:01AM EDT

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Ottawa opens two-legged series with Première Ligue de Soccer du Québec’s AS Blainville on Wednesday


Photo courtesy Steve Kingsman / Freestyle Photography / Ottawa Fury FC

OTTAWA – Ottawa Fury FC kicks off its campaign in the 2018 Canadian Championship on Wednesday night with a novel opening round matchup as it squares off with AS Blainville of the Première Ligue de Soccer du Québec in Laval, Quebec in the first meeting between the clubs in the tournament’s history.

Having advanced to the Semifinals of the tournament each of the past two seasons, Fury FC is eager to make it three years in a row, particularly given the club’s Canadian-heavy roster makeup this season. A clash with defending MLS Cup and Canadian Championship holder Toronto FC awaiting the winner of the two-legged contest, which concludes on June 27 at Fury FC’s home, TD Place

“We have something to prove this year with all the Canadians in the team,” said Fury FC midfielder Maxim Tissot. “I think people were doubting us at the beginning, but we have turned it around and we have shown that Canadian players can play. We play for more than Fury FC. We play for Canada and for those players who do not have a chance to have a club; for those who are waiting at home for the CPL to begin. It’s extra motivation for us.”

AS Blainville made its debut in the tournament this season as the Canadian Soccer Association invited the winner of both last season’s Premier Ligue de Soccer du Quebec and League 1 Ontario to be part of the tournament for the first time. The Quebec champions took a 3-1 aggregate victory in the previous round to advance, and Fury FC Head Coach Nikola Popovic was impressed with what he saw.

“They’re very good,” said Popovic. “The frustrating part in soccer is that these players are very good but sometimes you don’t have the high-level stage to showcase their abilities. And we have a few players over there who have had a taste at higher levels like Nazim [Belguendouz], [Abdoulaye] Sylla and others. We expect they’re going to be a very difficult opposition.”

Nazim Belguendouz brings USL experience, having played previously in the league for FC Montreal before linking up with Blainville. Ottawa still enters favored to advance over the two games, but Fury FC’s players are on their guard as to what Wednesday night’s contest could hold.

“We cannot take this game lightly,” said Tissot. “We all followed what happened with Blainville in Oakville. The winner of this game plays TFC, an MLS squad, and the guys are actually waiting for that. We have to be focused throughout the two games. It’s going to be hard over there. Blainville have a lot of fans who are very passionate as we saw during their home game. But I like our chances going forward.”

After a tough road trip during the past week of the USL regular season, Wednesday night also offers a chance for Ottawa to get back on track after a scintillating month of May that saw Popovic and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau pick up the USL monthly awards.

“It’s extremely important for the team, for the country especially with all the stuff that’s going on right now,” said Fury FC midfielder Jamar Dixon. “It’s big and this year there are two extra teams added to the mix and now we have to face these guys and it’s going to be a very important match. It’s exciting.”

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