2020 CPL regular season (The Island Games) — Match #12
Atlético Ottawa vs. FC Edmonton
August 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m ET/2:00 p.m. AT
UPEI Artificial Turf Field in Charlottetown, PEI
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca/CHCH

The Ottawa-Edmonton soccer rivalry will begin anew ON Sunday, as FC Edmonton faces Atlético Ottawa for the first time.

Supporters in both cities fondly remember tilts between the Eddies and Ottawa Fury in the Canadian Championship, as “default quarter-finalists,” and in NASL play. While Atlético Ottawa is a different club entirely, the strange Canadian soccer rivalry still stands – and it’s never been more interesting as both sides are desperate for points.

The Eddies return to play less than 72 hours since a comprehensive Al Classico loss. Jeff Paulus’ side was competing with Cavalry FC until Terique Mohammed’s second-half sending-off sealed their fate. FCE are the lone CPL side without a point and sit bottom of the eight-team first-round standings.

Ottawa comes into this game with a similar back-against-the-wall attitude after an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Valour FC. Milovan Kapor’s sending off sent Mista’s squad into a downward spiral, making their first match in Atlético’s famous red-and-white stripes a forgettable one. Ottawa sits on one point from their first two matches as a club. Their debut, as you may recall, featured a similar red card scenario.

After this, FC Edmonton will be back in action on Wednesday when they face HFX Wanderers FC (8pm ET/9pm AT, OneSoccer). Atlético Ottawa returns on Thursday when they face Cavalry FC (8pm ET/9pm AT, OneSoccer).

RELATED READING: Paulus hopes to rekindle ‘special’ Edmonton-Ottawa rivalry in 1st CPL meeting

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• Generate chances: The stats speak for themselves: FC Edmonton has yet to score at The Island Games – and have recorded a league-low two shots on target. As Paulus stressed on Thursday, their lack of offensive product let them down against Cavalry, not dodgy refereeing decisions. Perhaps we need to see more from wingers Hanson Boakai and Keven Alemán, promising creators who could have yet to make an impact in PEI.

• Keep it clean: Atlético Ottawa has had players sent off in both of its matches. Sure, there have only been two red cards (via double yellows), but they’ve cost Ottawa points, with all six goals conceded coming after they had a player sent off. Ottawa needs to ensure a more disciplined approach – Vashon Neufville’s needless bump of Joe Di Chiara and Milovan Kapor’s shoulder-tugs weren’t exactly signs of a club in control of the moment.

• Intensity: If either side wants a result ON Sunday, they’re going to need to show some urgency. Ottawa, while down a man, looked a beaten side early against Valour. The Eddies had similar mental issues against Cavalry, though spirited runs by Easton Ongaro showed some promise.

INJURIES

FC Edmonton
Amer Didic (day-to-day)

Atlético Ottawa
None

SUSPENSIONS

FC Edmonton
Terique Mohammed (One game)

Atlético Ottawa
Milovan Kapor (One game)

ALL-TIME SERIES
First meeting

REFEREES
Referee: Myriam Marcotte
ARs: Gabrielle Lemieux, Stefan Tanaka-Freundt
4th Official: Juan Marquez