Atlético Ottawa Earns Championship Berth
October 23, 2022 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release
Atlético Ottawa 1 reacts after their goal against Pacific FC
(Atletico Ottawa, Credit: Matt Zambonin / Freestyle Photography)
Atlético Ottawa were hosting Pacific FC on Sunday at TD Place in the return leg of their 2022 Canadian Premier League Playoff Semifinal and, entering the match with a monumental two-goal advantage, were seeing to secure a spot on the CPL Final. Facing a determined opponent in the Tridents, Atlético Ottawa rallied as a unit to secure a 1-1 draw on the day, clinching their spot in the Canadian Premier League Final with an aggregate score of 3-1.
KEY MOMENTS
Atlético Ottawa, on a perfect fall afternoon that had brought 8,428 boisterous fans into the building, offered another typical Atleti performance, despite Pacific’s best attempt at destabilizing their shape.
Pacific FC opened the score on a former-Fury-FC Thomas Meilleur-Giguère header in the 28th minute.
If their defensive shape and resolve were tested on a number of occasions, Ottawa’s ambition and perseverance were once more highlighted by multiple Ingham saves, the goalkeeper having faced 27 shots, 9 of which were on frame.
As the home crowd grew nervy seeing their hometeam lead shrink, one of Atlético Ottawa’s longest-tenured players, Malcolm Shaw, found the back of the net in the 83rd minute, his third of the season, to all but secure a ticket to the final for his squad.
Former Pacific FC Zach Verhoven was once more instrumental, coming off the bench, as he set up the play for Shaw’s goal.
ON TO THE CPL FINAL
The two-legged semifinals saw regular season champion Atlético Ottawa take on No. 4 seed Pacific FC, while No. 2 seed Forge FC went head to head with No. 3 seed Cavalry FC.
Ottawa will face two-time champions Hamilton Forge FC, who topped Cavalry FC on Sunday with an aggregate score of 3-2. Forge will be playing in their fourth consecutive CPL final.
The 2022 CPL Final will be played on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 6 PM ET at TD Place.
Tickets are on sale now on atleticoottawa.club or on Ticketmaster.
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