Ottawa Rapid FC defeated AFC Toronto 2-1 in their inaugural home opener in Ottawa this Sunday, courtesy of a game-winning goal from Ottawa captain and veteran Canadian WNT member Desiree Scott.
Just short of 7000 fans were in attendance to witness the historic game in the nation’s capital.
“I didn’t know what the crowd was going to be like. Ottawa showed up and they showed what a sporting city this is. Women’s soccer is here, and I’m so happy to have been a part of this today,” said Scott post-game
Rolling with the same lineup as last week, AFC Toronto was looking for a positive result after their opening loss last week. Ottawa Rapid FC was set up in a defensive 4-5-1 formation, operating a mid-block for most of the game.
Loading ...Similar to last week’s game, Toronto found space down the sides of the pitch as Colby Barnett and Nyota Katembo were lively down the wings throughout the game. There was also a freedom in the attack, as Toronto’s front three drifted into different positions to create space up front.
At the quarter mark of the match, Toronto had the first chance of the game. Katembo drove down the right side and found Shaina Ashouri alone in the box with time and space. A quick reaction save from Ottawa goalkeeper Mollie Eriksson parried Ashouri’s shot over the bar. Eriksson was active once again in the 30th minute, as Emma Regan’s free-kick forced her to come off her line to put the ball out of danger.
Ottawa’s midfield, anchored by veterans Desiree Scott and Ellen Gibson, was in a battle throughout the match with Toronto midfielders Regan and Victoria Pickett. Creating separation and finding teammates by switching play, the battle was tight as both sides tried to find an edge. Ottawa’s Lee Min-A and Choo Hyo-Joo also looked to combine multiple times as they tried to break Toronto’s press.
Ottawa had some chances of their own through direct play. In the 33rd minute, Melanie Forbes drove into space down the right and cut a pass in behind for Delaney Pridham, but her shot sailed over the bar. A minute later, Lee’s cross forced Manner to make a quick save.
Although Toronto dominated possession at the end of the first half, they lacked the finishing touch in Ottawa’s final third. Ottawa looked confident despite sitting back defensively, as they connected passes well and waited to exploit the Toronto defense.
Ottawa found a breakthrough in the deadlock at the 55th minute mark. Picking up a pass in the middle of the field from Gibson, Lee found herself in space as she drove at the Toronto defense, forcing them into their own box. Lee brillantly dribbled around the defense and shot through the traffic in front of Manner to score Ottawa’s inaugural NSL goal and put them in front 1-0.
Moments later, Toronto had a great chance in front of the net. A Barnett cross was parried away by Eriksson, but found the feet of Esther Okoronkwo at the edge of the six-yard box. Patiently settling the ball onto her left foot, she dragged the shot just wide to the left of goal.
Less than a minute later, Toronto thought they had found an equalizer. A neat passing sequence at the top of the box from Nikayla Small and Pickett found Katembo, who sent a direct ball into the six-yard box, where Okoronkwo headed the ball into the back of the net. However, the goal was negated in a tight call with the offside flag.
In the 80th minute, an over-the-top ball found the head of Delaney Pridham, whose header was spilled out by Manner. Pridham tried to latch onto the loose ball, but could not get the off-balanced shot on goal.
However, moments later, Ottawa capitalized on another loose-ball scramble in front of the net. In the 82nd minute, off an Ottawa corner, a header flicked towards goal was redirected by Scott, hitting off Manner and the crossbar, bouncing in front of an empty net. Off a messy scramble in front, Scott pounced on the second chance to score her first professional goal and put Ottawa up 2-0.
“I couldn’t have written it better,” said Scott. “To get a goal in our opening match, inaugural season, is everything I could have dreamed about and more.”
In the final minute of the match, Toronto would finally find the back of the net. Breaking through the defensive line, Kaylee Hunter latched onto a beautiful through ball lifted by Aoi Kizaki, that sent her on a breakaway with Eriksson. Hunter calmly sidestepped past Eriksson and slotted the shot into the empty net to score Toronto’s inaugural NSL goal.
The moment was bittersweet, however, as Toronto dropped their second straight match to start the season. The execution of big chances and offensive possession has eluded Toronto, as they try to continue to find the finishing touch. Ottawa looked comfortable in their debut at home, and they hope to continue their success going forward.
AFC Toronto’s next match will be at home at York Lions Stadium against Calgary Wilds FC on Thursday, May 1. Ottawa Rapid FC will be on the road as they face Montreal Roses FC on Saturday, May 3.
