| Atlético Ottawa | Pacific FC |
| YC 47′ Ben McKendry | YC 85′ Victor Blasco |
| YC 49′ Milovan Kapor | YC 90+2′ Marco Bustos |
| YC 55′ Acuña | |
| YC 63′ Viti Martínez | |
| G 90′ Viti Martínez |
What a thrilling finish.
I haven’t celebrated that much since the Sens made it to the conference finals (I still don’t want to talk about it).
Atlético Ottawa needed to take care of business, and they did. With the victory, they move a point behind HFX Wanderers, who they play in the final game of the first round, on Sunday.
First Half:
Both teams traded chances in the first half. For Ottawa, a big chance was created when Shaw showed off his speed down the wing, and nearly found Fisk alone in the middle of the box. de Jong just got enough of his foot on the pass to avoid the danger. Fisk also had a great run off a perfect pass from Acuña. Fisk then sent Shaw in for a chance alone on Irving, but the Pacific keeper made a huge save to keep the game even.
For Pacific, Jamar Dixon had a wee stroll into Ottawa’s penalty box, before he launched the shot above the bar from in close. Ottawa was lucky not to go down a goal here. Kapor was then put on skates before the half, when he was nutmegged after a Fisk turnover. Despite both teams trading chances, the game was tied at half.
Pacific went into the half with a slight shot and possession advantage, but more importantly, Ottawa survived a bit of a scare in the 18th minute, when Zabal got medical attention for his knee. Luckily, he was able to stay in the game.
Second Half:
The second half started with two Ottawa players taking turns getting yellow cards. McKendry got his booking after he grabbed Blasco, who put the afterburners on McKendry. Kapor was unlucky to earn his yellow by playing the ball with his hand at the edge of the box.
In the 53rd minute, Ottawa should have gone up a goal, when Viti had an open chance at point blank range. Instead, he basically only passed it right to Irving. But we all know now, that was only practice for him!
Blasco earned another freekick on the edge of the box, by doing his best Alexandre Despatie impression.
The yellow card parade didn’t end for Ottawa, as Acuña got one because Pacific FC moved the ball from its free-kick spot or something. Ball don’t lie though, Pacific missed. Viti got a yellow card for sneezing I think. Mista got one of his own for hurting the referees feelings in Spanish?
I’m only making a big deal about these bookings because I have no idea what constitutes a yellow card in this tournament. Some get it for seemingly nothing, and others don’t get it for much bigger infractions. I could think of a few occasions where Pacific deserved to be booked, but got nothing. Alas, they did get booked twice after a couple of their players had temper tantrums in the final five minutes.
In the 83rd minute, Zabal made a huge desperation save at the edge of the 18-yard box. This save proved to be pivotal as moments later, this happened:
In the 90th minute, Kourouma came out with a grade A, point blank chance off a perfect McKendry free-kick from centre-half. I still have no idea how this shot stayed out. Irving made an incredible save, and then the ball almost goes in off an own goal. Luckily, the ball trickled out for a corner. The ball was crossed in by Kourouma from the corner-kick. The ball then found its way to Viti’s foot. After missing his first chance from the same spot earlier in the half, he makes no mistake this time.
Do yourself a favour, and watch the full clip. The hopelessness to jubilation – from nearly scoring to actually scoring … Incredible!
I started to breathe again, but then Mista subbed Acuña off for Facchineri. You all know now, that I love Facchineri (or as I call him – Batman). But we all know what happens when Acuña is off the field – the other team scores. Pacific nearly did, as well, when Campbell shot from the top of the box went low and just wide.
Match Thoughts:
- Ottawa played with a lot more intent today. They pressured more, passed well, got themselves open, and played organized. When they are focused, they are hard to beat.
- Jarred Phillips got injured in the 65th minute and was replaced by Neufville.
- Phillips had a decent game, but when Ottawa is playing well, it is often because Neufville gives them the ability to spread the field, attack from both flanks, and create space more often using his speed. This observation could be biased from me, but I have also noticed that it makes Hamilton more confident. Ottawa is able to utilize both sides of the field better, and makes opposing teams have to worry.
- I find it strange that the analysts on One Soccer suggest that Acuña is having a bad game. It is as if they only look at basic stats, and assume because he doesn’t have a goal or an assist he’s been useless. This isn’t Acuña’s primary role. He did well to pressure today, he used his body well to protect the ball and possession. Acuña likes to start his play deep in his zone, either by disrupting the other team’s attack or by transitioning. Did he have an amazing game? No. But he wasn’t absent, and was still critical.
- One other substitution was made: Malcolm Shaw made way for Maksym Kowal for the last minute of the game.
- It was Malyk Hamilton’s birthday today!
- Next up, HFX Wanderers on Sunday, September 6 at 12 PM ET. GAME 7 VIBES!
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