CPL Classics: FC Edmonton's Late Escape Against Newcomers Ottawa
CPL Classics covers notable matches from the first two seasons in the Canadian Premier League.
For all of the 2020 Canadian Premier League season, Atletico Ottawa must have been feeling something like outsiders. As the only new team in the second year of the professional Canadian football league, they had to prove themselves against their experienced opposition with a team untested in the rigors of a regular season.
Still winless by their third fixture, and following a big loss to Valour days earlier, Atletico were looking to prove themselves as they faced FC Edmonton, similarly without a win. However both teams came into this August 23rd match seeking to end their unlucky streak and showed a tenacity and determination to do so on the pitch.
Ottawa wasted no time in getting on the score sheet: Edmonton kicked off but immediatey were dispossessed by Francisco Acuña, who took it the rest of the field and scored the opener after just twenty-two seconds. In the fifteenth minute Malyk Hamilton found a gap in the Edmonton defence, right to Acuna Victor who turned and made it 2-0 with another thunderous strike.
With Atletico Ottawa off to a flying start, FC Edmonton went looking for a response, but it took them to the very end of the game to strike back. Having received the ball thirty-five yards from goal, Hanson Boakai breezed past the Ottawa defence, his shot was denied by Nacho Zabal, but Keven Aleman was there to pick up the deflection and score his team's first goal on the 88th minute.
With time running out, Edmonton were able to navigate tight Ottawa defence with the ball eventually finding Easton Ongaro. He held firm despite an attempt at clearance by Zabal, then threaded the ball through the narrow gap to spare the team from defeat deep into added time. Edmonton showed great resolve against Atletico, crushed at having been robbed of their first win, with the final score reading 2-2.
Days later Ottawa got their first win in franchise history, beating Cavalry with a confident 2-0 display. FC Edmonton's search for a win continued, but ended up being fruitless, as they finished the season without a win and losing all but this draw against Atletico.
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