Match #15
ATLETICO OTTAWA (8-4-2) vs. VALOUR FC (3-1-10)
When: Sunday, July 21st, 1 p.m. CDT
Where: TD Place, Ottawa, Ont.
How to watch: OneSoccer is broadcasting all Canadian Premier League games live https://onesoccer.ca/
MATCH PREVIEW:
Valour FC has reached the midway point of the 2024 season in a serious nosedive with just one win and five losses in their last six and their last match — a 3-1 loss in Halifax against the Wanderers on Thursday — offered a snapshot of their inconsistent and frustrating play.
The club opened the scoring in Nova Scotia but were poor defensively on the Wanderers first goal and then surrendered three consecutive penalties, with the third stopped by goalkeeper Jonathan Viscosi to prevent further disappointment.
Now at the bottom of the tables with just 10 points on three wins and a draw through 14 matches, Valour faces an uphill battle in the nation’s capital against the CPL’s best squad in Atléti. After starting the season with eight straight matches on the road Valour has long pointed to their run of home to end the schedule — nine of their final 12 are at Princess Auto Stadium — but that will be moot if the pack ahead of them continues to widen the margin.
Valour will again be without fullback Roberto Alarcon as he serves a suspension and his absence was noticeable in the loss to Wanderers. The club does return Dante Campbell as an option, but will be without Noah Verhoeven as he serves a suspension after picking up his fifth yellow of the season.
THE OTHER GUYS:
3 Facts about Atlético Ottawa:
- Ottawa is atop the CPL standings but is 2-1-2 in their last five. In their most recent outing — a 3-nil win over Vancouver FC — the squad got three second-half goals to secure the full three points.
- Former Valour star Matteo de Brienne will not play for Ottawa as he is serving a yellow-card suspension.
- Ottawa forward Ruben del Campo is tied for the CPL lead with seven goals — including one against Valour earlier this season. He also scored twice in their 7-0 Canadian Championship victory over Valour.
VALOUR FC SPOTLIGHT:
#6 Dante Campbell, midfielder: Valour could use a spark right now and often the club gets that energy from Campbell and his aggressive approach to defending and his competitiveness. The team needs to handle moments better, certainly, but also often falls further into a lull after giving up a goal. Campbell and others will need more in those situations than ever before if Valour is to salvage its season.
CRITICAL NUMBER
7
This number courtesy the good folks at the CPL site: Ottawa star Ollie Bassett has seven career goals against Valour FC, including three this season — one in league play and a pair in the Canadian Championship.
All-Time: Valour FC vs. Atlético Ottawa
Overall: (win-draw-loss): 6-3-7
Last meeting: June 9, 2024, Princess Auto Stadium –Valour FC 0 Atlético Ottawa 2