Two Late Goals Win it as Atlético Ottawa Stuns Pacific FC In Leg One Of CPL Semifinals
October 15, 2022 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release
Atlético Ottawa celebrates win
(Atletico Ottawa, Credit: Pacific FC/Sheldon Mack/Kelly Wallace)
Atlético Ottawa’s playoff campaign kicked off this weekend as Head Coach Carlos González’s side travelled to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to face reigning 2021 champions Pacific FC in the first post-season match in Atleti’s short history. With the second leg coming to Ottawa next weekend (October 23rd) with the aggregate winner advancing to the final, Ottawa had everything on the line. Playing the Atleti way all the way, Ottawa rode a fiercely competed match to secure a late (massive) 2-0 win.
KEY MOMENTS
Atlético Ottawa, sticking to their “1 more match, 1 more final’ motto, took an advantageous 2-goal lead in the semifinal with the 2-0 road win at Starlight Stadium.
Pouncing on one of the few counter opportunities, Ollie Basset set up his teammate Ballou Tabla for the chip-in to lift the Ottawa side in the 79′ minute.
The power-sub Zach Verhoven, BC-born (Burnaby) and former Pacific FC player, added to the tally in injury time (90+4′) to seal the victory.
This was Ottawa’s record 10th consecutive undefeated match, and the first playoff win in club’s history.
Ottawa’s defensive fortitude was tested on numerous occasions by the feisty Tridents, but the side showed how difficult it is to break them down.
GK Nathan Ingham, despite an injury scare in the warmups, pulled out an incredible match, showing why he fully deserves the Golden Glove nomination, including a handful of highlight reel-worthy stops in the second frame. He also earned the Perfomance of the Match nod on the night.
The Spanish “armada” of Miguel Acosta, Diego Espejo and Sergio Camus put in some gritty work throughout the 90 minutes.
Between the 3 of them, they had 12 of the 20 Ottawa clearances, Espejo managing 6 of those.
Unfortunately, Espejo was awarded his 8th caution of the season, which will keep him out of the second leg of the semifinal at home. He will however not be suspended more than 1 match should Atleti get past their opponent.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
The two-legged semifinals will see regular season champion Atlético Ottawa take on No. 4 seed Pacific FC, while No. 2 seed Forge FC will go head to head with No. 3 seed Cavalry FC.
The return leg of this semifinal will be played at TD Place on Sunday, October 23 at 2 PM, with tickets available at atleticoottawa.club.
The 2022 CPL Final will be played on Saturday, Oct. 29 or Sunday, Oct. 30, depending on the host club. The highest-seeded team remaining in the competition will host the single-leg championship match.
Should Ottawa host, the CPL Playoff Final, it will be played on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 6 PM ET at TD Place.
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