Preview: Atlético Ottawa at Valour FC September 18

September 16, 2022 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release

Atlético Ottawa embark on the second leg of their four-week journey away from the capital as they face Valour FC in Winnipeg, MB on Sunday (KO 4 pm ET, live on OneSoccer). With only four games remaining in the 2022 regular Canadian Premier League season, each match and subsequent result bares greater weight and importance with five teams, including this weekend’s opponents, battling it out for a playoff position.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s kick-off.

Atlético Ottawa remain top of the CPL table with 41 points from 24 games.

Valour FC recently climbed into a playoff position, and currently sit in fourth place (36 points from 24 games)

Having been held to a 1-1 draw with Pacific FC last week, Head Coach Carlos González praised the collective team spirit of his team as Ottawa picked up an important point “from an opponent fighting for the same objective” as them.

It was another solid defensive performance by the Rojiblancos, led in particular by 19-year-old Diego Espejo.

The Spaniard’s recent performances have earned him back-to-back spots in the league’s ‘Team of the Week’ – his fifth appearance this season.

Espejo won five out of six aerial duels, made five interceptions and had 11 clearances and completed 94% of his passes.

Atleti and Valour FC have already met three times this season, with little to separate the two sides (1W-1D-1L).

The last meeting ended in a 1-1 draw at TD Place, with Mexican striker Vladimir Moregrega scoring a penalty.

Record head-to-head (all time): 2W-1D-4L; 7 goals scored, 16 goals conceded

Phil Dos Santos’ Valour side have been on a fine run of form in recent weeks, winning five of their last eight matches (picking up 16 points).

Specifically, three wins in one week against playoff candidate sides Forge FC & Pacific FC propelled the Winnipeg-based side firmly into playoff contention.

QUOTES

Carlos González, Head Coach, Atlético Ottawa

“We have to go out with an appropriate mentality and intensity, we need to win duels and be as aggressive as Valour. They are a very tough team, they’ve developed in the last months, playing more with three centre-backs, they are more compact and play to the limit with every single action. It’s going to be a hard battle for us, but also for them.”

OTHER NEWS

Earlier this week, the Canadian Premier League and Atlético Ottawa confirmed two schedule changes for upcoming matches.

The kickoff of the Valour FC v Atlético Ottawa matchup on Sunday, September 18 has been moved from 5PM ET to 4PM ET.

Atlético Ottawa’s final home match of the regular season on Sunday October 9 will now kick off at 6PM ET instead of the originally scheduled 4PM ET.

The complete schedule is available at canpl.ca or atleticoottawa.club.

• Discuss this story on the Canadian Premier League message board…

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.