Toronto FC defeat Ottawa Fury FC to advance to the Canadian Championship 2019 Final

Toronto FC have qualified for the 2019 Canadian Championship Final defeating Ottawa Fury FC 3:0 (5:0 aggregate) in the second leg of the Semi Final on 14 August at BMO Field in Toronto, ON. Toronto FC will face the winners of the other Semi Final matchup between Montreal Impact and Cavalry FC.

Early in the first half, Richie Laryea picked out Nick DeLeon in the box. DeLeon neatly placed his right footed shot past keeper Callum Irving into corner of the goal in the 14’. TFC nearly doubled their lead shortly thereafter. Once again it was Laryea the playmaker, found a wide-open Erickson Gallardo, blew it over the bar. After that, off a Tsubasa Endoh cross, Liam Fraser volleyed a rocket that just missed.

Ottawa had their only real chance of the half when Carl Haworth sent in Christiano Francois. All alone on Alex Bono, Francois shot it right at the keeper for an easy stop.

In the 30’, Endoh bent a wonderfully placed free kick around the wall, Irving’s diving stop was his best of the night. Five minutes later, Fraser sent a cross into Patrick Mullins, headed on goal, Irving tipped it over the bar. Off the ensuing corner, Ottawa’s clearance was headed back into danger, fell to DeLeon, picked out Mullins for an easy tap in (37’).

Two minutes later, DeLeon carved up the Fury defense, placed his shot into the bottom corner of the goal for a first half brace and a three-goal halftime TFC lead. 

DeLeon nearly scored his third, headed down on goal, Haworth got in the way, deflected it wide. Moments later, a Gallardo cross teed up DeLeon, but mis hit the volley attempt.

Ottawa got some momentum midway through half. Three chances for Thomas Meilleur-Giguere in a handful of minutes. His first was a strike at Bono, easily saved. The second went screeching just wide of goal. The third, a mistimed volley.

Noble Okello nearly scored TFC’s fourth with a low strike that Irving was able to keep out. Ottawa came close to getting its first goal of the series in dying moments. Francois charged the goal, shot it off the post, rebound blasted over the bar by Meilleur-Giguere.

Toronto FC Starting XI had Alex Bono in goal. The 4-5-1 formation included Justin Morrow, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta, and Canadian Richie Laryea from left to right in the back. Erickson Gallardo, Nick DeLeon, Canadians Liam Fraser and Jonathan Osorio alongside Tsubasa Endoh from left to right in the midfield. Patrick Mullins started as the lone striker. 

Coach Greg Vanneybrought on a pair of Canadians athalftime. Morrow was replaced by Ashtone Morgan, Osorio with Noble Okello-Ayo. Mullins was replaced by Ayo Akinola (71’).

Ottawa Fury FC starting XI had Canadian Callum Irving in goal. In a 4-3-3 formation, Canadians Maxim Tissot and Thomas Meilleur-Giguere alongside Dakota Barnathan, and captain Carl Haworth made up the backline from left to right. Wal Fall, Charlie Ward and Canadian Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare made up the midfield. Kevin Oliveira, Hadji Barry, and Christiano Francois the forwards.

Ottawa coach Nikola Popovicused two of his substitutions at half time. Fall was replaced by Chris Mannella, Barnathan with Thiago De Freitas.   Fury’s final substitution came in the 68^th minute, Hadji was replaced by Protais Mutambala.