Match in a minute or less

Atlético Ottawa and Valour FC played to a thrilling 2-2 draw in the nation’s capital on Sunday, with multiple lead changes, twists and turns in a match that did not resemble a meeting of the CPL’s top and bottom teams.

Atleti looked as though they were off to the races when they took the lead less than a minute into the match, but Valour responded incredibly well equalizing in the 26th minute through Safwane Mlah. They then took the lead in the second half as Frank Facchineri scored his first CPL goal, but Atleti rescued a point through Golden Boot leader Rubén del Campo.

Atlético Ottawa remain at the top of the CPL table after the draw, and Valour FC at the bottom, but given the circumstances, the result will mean quite different things to both sides.

Three Observations

Valiant Valour show heart during rebound result in Ottawa 

After a horrible night in Halifax on Thursday, in which they allowed three goals against, and conceded three penalties in a 3-1 loss to the Halifax Wanderers, they bounced back with a strong showing in a 2-2 draw with top-of-the-table Atlético Ottawa on Sunday.

Their first flight to the nation’s capital for Sunday’s match was then cancelled, and they didn’t leave the East Coast until the early morning on Saturday. Things got even worse once the match kicked off, as they were instantly under pressure conceding less than a minute into the match.

It seemed at that point that their game plan had already gone out of the window. But in his pre-match press conference, Phil Dos Santos said that in a match against a club of this quality, there always needs to be multiple plans because of how Atlético Ottawa can take over matches.

Valour dug deep, and showed an incredible effort to get themselves back into the game, and earn an impressive point on the road — even perhaps feeling hard done not to have had more in the end.

“The guys demonstrated a lot of character and fight in a game that we knew was always going to be difficult, even in normal circumstances,” said Dos Santos. “So it was a good point on the road.”

The Winnipeg club earned that point as two players scored their first Canadian Premier League goals on Sunday, recent signing Safwane Mlah and CPL – U SPORTS Draft pick Frank Facchineri.

“I mean, for myself, personally, it’s an incredible feeling,” said Facchineri. “You know, I’m very, very happy that I could help the team secure a point here. I haven’t spoken to Safwane yet, but I’m sure he’ll be over the moon. He deserves it, he’s worked really hard since he’s come in.”

It was on the other side of the ball, however, that Valour truly impressed with a solid team defensive effort, limiting the number of chances that Atleti were able to create and crucially slowing their tempo. Sunday was the third lowest expected goals total Atlético Ottawa have created all season, at just 0.85.

“I think in this game we accepted a little bit more that once the opposition had the ball, get set in two banks of four and defend, and do the little things right,” said Facchineri. “As the backline comes across, make sure everybody’s connected. I think we did that considerably better than we did last game.”

On the other end of things, Atlético Ottawa will be left frustrated with their performance, as they have now won just once in their past five at TD Place Stadium.

After being gifted an opening goal less than a minute into the match, they seemed to take their foot off the gas almost immediately, allowing Valour to get on the ball more, and eventually equalize. They weren’t dangerous enough after the half either, with Valour taking the lead and they ultimately needed to rescue a point.

Atleti feel they missed a big opportunity to create some separation at the top of the table, especially after second-place York United, who they face next in the league, drew against Vancouver FC on Saturday.

“We can’t keep dropping points, especially at home, when so much is on the line,” said Atlético Ottawa’s Manny Aparicio.

Valour’s Safwane Mlah scores in first professional start 

On Sunday afternoon in Ottawa, Valour FC midfielder Safwane Mlah made his first professional start, and 26 minutes into the match, he had already scored his first professional goal.

After Atleti’s Nate Ingham had made brilliant stops on both Jordan Swibel and Shaan Hundal, Mlah was in the right spot to collect the second rebound and send a composed shot through the legs of the Ottawa goalkeeper.

Deployed in a double pivot in central midfield alongside Valour captain Raphael Ohin, Mlah showed an excellent reading of the game throughout the match. He won seven of eleven duels, and completed two dribbles and two interceptions.

“Mlah is a player who is young, still, he has a lot to learn, but his upside is high, and he understands the game,” said Dos Santos. “Things come simple and natural for him. So it was good to see that rewarded on his first start as a professional.”

The 22-year-old from Montréal, Québec joined the Winnipeg club in late June after five seasons spent playing in Ligue1 Québec, including spending the past two campaigns with CS St-Laurent. He played every minute of St-Laurent’s impressive Canadian Championship run, including scoring in the penalty shootout which lifted the Québec club over the Halifax Wanderers in the Preliminary round.

He made his professional debut against that very same Halifax team on Thursday in a 3-1 loss, coming off the bench for the final 31 minutes.

There were unquestionably learning moments for the 22-year-old, as he struggled at times with the physicality of the game. But Valour look like they have a real player on their hands who could develop into an important part of their midfield.

Atleti’s Salter shows impact off the bench again, chemistry with del Campo

On what unquestionably was far from their best performance of the season on Sunday afternoon in the nation’s capital, Atlético Ottawa rescued a point — largely through the play of substitute Sam Salter.

The 23-year-old Salter has been a real spark off the bench for the capital club in recent weeks, and continued that streak on Sunday when he was introduced in the 70th minute.

Two minutes later, he collected a quick throw-in from Ollie Bassett, held off Themi Antonoglou, and then sent in a low cross that del Campo finished off for the equalizer.

It was the fourth time in the past seven games that Salter has come off the bench and provided a goal contribution. He scored late against Valour the last time they played, and scored against Vancouver last week in a 3-0 victory.

It was also the second time this season that Salter has assisted on a goal scored by Rubén del Campo, who now leads the lead with his eighth of the season. Salter had a half chance to score the winner himself, but it is hard not to be impressed with the important impact he is having right now for the league leaders.

“He’s more than knocking on the door now to get into the [starting] 11,” said González. “So he’s working hard during the week. He’s doing what he can control, if I give him 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes and giving his best, he’s trying to help the team. So a lot of credit to the work that Sam is doing.”

CanPL.ca Player of the Match

Raphael Ohin, Valour FC

The Valour captain was outstanding in the middle of the park on Sunday, facing one of the league’s best midfields. He completed 47 of 50 passes, won seven of ten duels, and possession seven times, while winning three tackles.

What’s next?

Valour FC conclude their three-match road trip at Starlight Stadium next Sunday, July 28, when they take on Pacific FC (4:00 p.m. CT / 5:00 p.m. ET). Atlético Ottawa, meanwhile, are on the road as well, travelling to York Lions Stadium on Friday, July 26 to take on Ontario rivals York United (7:00 p.m. ET).

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