Onua Obasi Joins Ottawa After Back-To-Back Championships

Photo credit: Lauren Petracca

Ottawa Fury FC offseason signing Onua Thomas Obasi couldn’t have had a better year.

As a member of the Rochester Rhinos, he appeared in 23 matches, including the postseason, to help the side win the United Soccer League (USL) title. The Rhinos defeated LA Galaxy II, 2-1.

He has since followed that up by being a part of the Baltimore Blast team to win the Major Arena Soccer League.

The Blast defeated Soles de Sonora in the first game of the home-and-home series, 7-4, before winning the title in Mexico with a 14-13 overtime victory.

“Winning the two championships is rare and maybe I don’t appreciate how rare that is now, but you get to see first-hand what it takes to go all the way and you see the ups and downs in a season and how 40 to 50 people pulling together working towards one goal,” Obasi told NASL.com. “To reach that is a beautiful thing.”

After some time off, Obasi is now in Ottawa, as Fury FC gets set for its home opener. The defender is excited to get underway in Ottawa coach Paul Dalglish’s system.

“The coach in Rochester was very defensive minded and maybe he didn’t let the players play as freely,” Obasi said. “The proof is in the pudding, though, because we won the championship. My conversation with Paul was that we’ll play a more flowing game. That will help with my game. I’ve shown I can defend. To be able to showcase the attacking side of my game is something I’m looking forward to.”

Obasi, 27, has gotten a good look at what Dalglish hopes to accomplish in the team’s playing style, having watched several Austin Aztex matches (where Dalglish coached in 2015) while scouting for the USL title game.

“I have a really good sense of him as a coach and a man,” Obasi said. “When I was looking to scout LA Galaxy II I’d watch them throughout the season. I got to watch Austin play three or four times against the Galaxy. I think the way Paul likes to play is having players fit and to play specific roles.”

Heading into his first year into a new league with joining the NASL side, Obasi is expecting new challenges when he steps on the field for Ottawa.

“In the NASL there are more seasoned professionals, so the level is going to be higher technically and the understanding of the game,” he said. “That’s something I’m looking forward to, training with players who have five or six years of professional experience, have played in other countries, and even legends in the game that have come to play in the NASL.”

Obasi’s first chance to make his debut comes on Saturday afternoon against Miami FC.