Fury Win Battle for First against Phoenix

In the battle between the top two teams in the USL PDL Northeast Division, the Ottawa Fury came out on top in impressive fashion, defeating the GPS Portland Phoenix, 4-1, in front of 202 at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex in Ottawa.

The win vaults the Fury (9-3-2, 29 points) over the Phoenix (9-4-1, 28 points) and into first place.

Chris Basso opened the scoring for the Fury in just the 12th minute. Basso received a pass inside the box from Will Beauge on the left flank and took a touch away from goal before sending a shot past Portland ‘keeper Ciaran Nugent to the far post to put the Fury up 1-0.

“It feels great [to take first]”, Basso told Ottawa Fury TV. “Coming out of the weekend with six points is always a positive. It really showed the depth of the squad this weekend, being able to use every player. You’re not going to win division titles if you don’t have depth.”

Just three minutes later Jason Massie would equalize for Portland off a free kick. From about 30 yards Massie curled a free kick over the wall and inside the near post to knot the score at 1-1 with his third goal of the season.

Closing in on halftime, the Fury would retake the lead and this time wouldn’t give it back. After Basso was tripped up entering the box by Neil Harries, earning a penalty kick, the striker stepped up to the spot and sent Nugent the wrong way for his second goal of the night and seventh goal of the season.

Ten minutes into the second half Beauge made it 3-1. After stealing the ball from Harries, Beauge ran in on goal and finished past Nugent for his eighth goal of the season.

The home side would finish off the scoring in the 71st minute. The Phoenix failed to clear a Fury free kick, eventually leading to Marcello Castro sending a pass back to Edward Campbell at the top of the box. Campbell blasted a shot into the upper corner for his fourth goal of the year.

Ottawa, needing just one point from their final two games to clinch a playoff spot, plays CFC Azul at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex on Friday, July 13, at 7 p.m.

The Phoenix, needing just two points from their final two games to clinch a playoff berth, travels to Portsmouth High School to face the Seacoast United Phantoms on Thursday, July 12, at 7 p.m.

(Highlights Courtesy Ottawa Fury)