Ottawa Earns Club's First Piece Of Silverware With Comeback Win In Jacksonville

Ottawa Fury FC clinched the Fall Season Championship after a come-from-behind victory over Jacksonville Armada FC. Ottawa scored three times in the second half in the 3-1 win as Fury FC earned its first silverware.

The second-year club extended its impressive road unbeaten streak to 11 matches (7W-4D-0L), which is an NASL record, erasing a first-half deficit to claim the Fall Season title. Rafael Alves, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, and Andrew Wiedeman scored in the win ensuring postseason soccer comes to the Nation's Capital in November. Fury FC will host one of The Championship Semifinals on November 8 at TD Place. 

"This group has been absolutely fantastic!" a jubilant Marc Dos Santos said following the match. "We were in first place for three months and totally deserve this title.

"I would like to thank the players, staff, and OSEG for this incredible effort." 

Tom Heinemann produced the first scoring opportunity of the match as his header towards the near post was deflected out for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Andrew Wiedeman volleyed his opportunity past Miguel Gallardo, but was in an offside position. The speedy Armada FC countered with an opportunity of their own as Akeil Barrett got in behind the Ottawa defense and around goalkeeper Romuald Peiser, but Rafael Alves made a crucial block to keep the match scoreless through the opening 15 minutes. 

Fury FC produced another quality opportunity in the 20th minute when Ryan Richter found the target on an Ubiparipovic corner kick, but Gallardo denied him at the back post. A short time later, Gallardo would again come up big on a set piece from close range to punch a cross away,  denying Ottawa a sure scoring opportunity. 

Ottawa continued to threaten on set pieces. Alves got on the Ubiparipovic delivery, but his header was kept out by the crossbar. 

After some good movement deep inside Ottawa's half, Jemal Johnson found space down the left inside the 18-yard box, but his effort was denied by a sliding block from Richter. 

The Armada FC earned a free-kick from 35 yards out and Mechack Jérôme hit a rocket of a free kick beating a diving Peiser in the 38th minute for his first goal with Jacksonville. The home side carried the lead into halftime. 

Fury FC had a promising start to the second half, and Oliver nearly pulled Ottawa level, but his shot to the back post was cleared off the line. After Heinemann was denied from close range off another impressive save from Gallardo, Ubiparipovic won a free kick from 20 yards out. Alves unleashed a heavy strike that took a deflection and beat Gallardo at the back post to pull Fury FC level in the 59th minute on the Brazilian's fourth goal of the season.

Ottawa built on the momentum of Alves' equalizer and, three minutes later, Ubiparipovic put them in front with an impressive touch of skill curling a shot into the top corner at the back post. The goal was Ubiparipovic's fifth of the season.

Jacksonville speedster Akeil Barrett would make an elusive run in the 70th minute to earn an opportunity on goal, but Peiser came off his line to deny him the equalizer. 

Ottawa continued its second-half dominance and in stoppage time Andrew Wiedeman solidified Ottawa's title-clinching victory with an impressive finish, sending Fury FC to the 3-1 victory.

The win also saw Peiser set another NASL goalkeeping record - most wins in a season with his 15th victory. Another notable milestone in the victory was the debut of Montreal Impact loanee Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, who came on for the final ten minutes of play. 

Fury FC continued its impressive form, which has included just one loss in the last 24 matches (14-9-1).