Match Lookahead: Here's everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's kick-off in Hamilton - Atlético Ottawa

Atlético Ottawa return to Canadian Premier League action this Saturday as they travel to Hamilton, to take on Forge FC (KO 4PM ET, live on OneSoccer). Off the back of a fiercely contested cup tie at TD Place, Atleti are seeking their first win against the two-time CPL champions. 

This is the first of three consecutive games Ottawa will play on the road, as Carlos González’s men then travel east to Edmonton, AB and Winnipeg, MB. 

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s kick-off:

• Atlético Ottawa will be led by Assistant Coach Kwesi Loney as Head Coach González serves his one-match touchline ban (pending appeal).
• Ottawa forward Ballou Tabla has been growing in influence over the course of the last few weeks, drifting across the pitch and threatening teams from wide positions, as noted by Mitchell Tierney from CanPL.ca
  • Interesting to note that of the five goals Forge have conceded this season, three of them have come from wide/crossing situations. 
• Forge FC won back-to-back CPL titles in 2019 and 2020. They also hosted the 2021 CPL final, a game they lost 1-0 to Pacific FC.
  • Atlético Ottawa defender, Maxim Tissot, scored the second goal for Forge FC in the 2020 CPL final and is set to feature against his former club for the first time.
• Recovered from a light concussion, Spanish defender Diego Espejo played the full 90 minutes against York in the Canadian Championship as González rotated his side. 
  • The game saw a first start handed to Mexican striker Vladimir Moragrega as well as another substitute appearance for Carl Haworth, who provided the cross for Atleti’s equalizer (Haworth is now tied at the top of the ‘all-time assist’ charts in the #CanChamp). 
• Record head-to-head (all-time): 0W-0D-6L; 0 goals scored, 14 goals conceded

IN OTHER NEWS

• Atlético Ottawa have signed Spanish defender Iván Pérez, who has joined the club on-loan from UD San Sebastian de los Reyes to add more strength and depth to the left full-back position. To find out more about Ottawa’s latest recruit, click here.

Adblock test (Why?)

Match Lookahead: Here's everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's kick-off in Hamilton - Atlético Ottawa
Read More