With only six matches to go in the 2015 NASL season, the Ottawa Fury arrive in the Carolinas on a roll. Having just pulled off the biggest win in the franchise’s short history, the Fury are looking to go three for three on their 10-day road trip against a Railhawks team quickly fading from the play-off picture.
With only 12 points from 14 matches in the Fall season, the Railhawks represent the Fury’s least threatening opponent since facing Indy Eleven in early August. Since that match against the Eleven (a 4-1 win on the road), the Fury have taken points from the best teams in the league, save for a loss at home against Minnesota. The Fury can’t afford a let-down based on where the Railhawks find themselves in the standings, however, as they were beaten 3-1 and 3-0 on their two previous trips to Cary, North Carolina.
Should Ottawa pick up three points in a win against the Railhawks, they would reach the 45-point threshold in the Combined table that some consider the minimum needed to make the play-offs. Once achieved, a shift in priorities will have to take place, since head coach Marc Dos Santos has had his squad playing every match “as if it was a final” for over a month now.
Securing a home berth in “The Championship”, the NASL’s take on a short play-off involving four clubs, will become the new priority for the Fury, as will playing some players who have patiently waited for their turn in the squad but have been stunted by the team’s excellent play. Players such as Drew Beckie, Brandon Poltronieri and Marcel de Bellis should expect to get a run out in some of the Fury’s remaining matches.
Nothing can be taken for granted when facing the Railhawks, who boast some impressive names on their roster. Former Glasgow Rangers forward Nacho Novo has had a very successful 2015 season amassing eight goals to go along with two assists. South African Tiyi Shipalane has five goals and eight assists while former FC Edmonton midfielder Neil Hlavaty has four goals. Carolina’s propensity to allowing goals is what has prevented them from being successful this season, having allowed a league-high 39 goals. When you consider that Ottawa’s goals allowed total remains in the teens (19), you see the tale of two completely different seasons.
The Fury will be without Mauro Eustaquio until at least October 10th as he now joins Canada’s Olympic qualifying squad. The coaching staff will be hoping Julian de Guzman, who did not dress for Wednesday’s win against the Cosmos, will have recovered from his injured leg to neatly slot back in for the man who had been replacing him. Other than Eustaquio, and of course Nicki Paterson who is out for the season, the Fury should be at full strength.
For the first time in a long time, Fury fans may not be looking at this match as a “must-win”, or at the very least as a “must-not-lose”. Following a stretch of games with direct rivals for the playoffs, they will be excused for breathing a little easier no matter the result Saturday night.
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