OTTAWA – Taking on a top-flight side, even one that was without its full arsenal of players on the night, Ottawa Fury FC knew the margins for success were going to be tight as it hosted Toronto FC on Wednesday night at TD Place in the first leg of the Semifinals of the 2018 Canadian Championship.

That message was amplified at the end of the 90 minutes, where Fury FC found itself on the short end of a 1-0 defeat in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6,057 despite outshooting its visitors 10-2 as an early goal by Canadian international Jonathan Osorio allowed TFC to hold the advantage going to the second leg at BMO Field next Wednesday night.

“It was a very, very close game that was decided early,” said Fury FC Head Coach Nikola Popovic. “It was unfortunate that we didn’t clear the ball. After [the goal] it was very even. I cannot say there was one team that was dominating the other – both had chances to score.”

Toronto’s early assertiveness resulted in the only goal of the game on what stood officially as its lone shot on goal of the night. Osorio found space near the top of the left corner of the penalty area, cut inside onto his right foot and squeezed off a low shot to the near post that Crepeau was unable to get enough purchase on in his diving effort to save to turn around the post.

Osorio’s quick trigger on the shot meant that Crepeau didn’t pick up a view of the effort immediately, which ultimately made the difference in the contest.

“The goal was a bit unlucky,” said Crepeau. “We were defending, and I didn’t see the ball until it was right on top of me.”

READ MORE: Early Goal Lifts Toronto Past Fury FC

Fury FC had chances to equalize with attacking midfielder Kevin Oliveira looking dangerous throughout on set pieces. The Cape Verde international almost caught out Toronto goalkeeper Clint Irwin in the 16th minute with a curling effort from the left side that tried to pick out the top-right corner as Irwin shaded toward his near post, and Irwin got down well to save a low effort nine minutes into the second half at his near post to keep out a free kick from the right.

Ottawa’s pressure almost told with five minutes to go when a clever piece of skill by Onua Obasi opened space on the left to deliver a cross to the back post for Steevan Dos Santos, only for his header to be smothered by Irwin on the goal line. For the visitors, withstanding Fury FC’s late pressure allowed them to come away with its objectives met for the night.

“We got the shutout, we got the away goal so we're leaving pleased,” said TFC head coach Greg Vanney. “We set ourselves up with the position to try and finish the series at home next week.”

The lack of a decisive finish means Fury FC now faces a massive challenge to overturn the deficit on the road at BMO Field against the tournament’s defending champions.

“We felt like we could have gone and got the result, we were pushing for the tie,” said Crepeau. “We know it will be tough in Toronto. It will be difficult conditions, but we’re ready to put in a full 90 minutes.”