Match Lookahead: Everything you need to know ahead of Sunday vs PFC
Atlético Ottawa host Pacific FC on Sunday at TD Place in the return leg of their 2022 Canadian Premier League Playoff Semifinal (KO 2 PM ET). Thanks to a monumental win in British Columbia last weekend, Head Coach Carlos González’s side enter the match with a two-goal advantage as they seek to secure their spot in the CPL Final.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s kick-off.
- Atlético Ottawa put themselves in the driver’s seat thanks to a 2-0 win away at Pacific FC last weekend.
- Goals from Ballou Tabla and former Pacific FC winger Zach Verhoven were enough to secure a victory, underpinned by yet another resolute defensive performance.
- Ottawa’s victory in British Columbia was their first in franchise history, having lost one and drawn one earlier this season.
- In two clashes at TD Place this season, Atleti have lost one and won the other against James Merriman’s side.
- The last time these two teams clashed in the Capital, Verhoven was the match winner scoring a breakaway goal in the 86th minute to secure a 2-1 victory.
- Record head-to-head (all-time): 3W-2D-4L; 9 goals scored, 10 goals conceded
- Squad update: Diego Espejo (suspended – caution accumulation), Niba Macdonald (out – injury), Iván Perez (out – injury), Keven Alemàn (tentative – injury).
- In response to increased ticket demand for Sunday’s match, Atlético Ottawa and partner TD Place have decided to open up new seats in the lower rows of the North Side. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.
- The Parking situation at TD Place is this: It’s sold out. Make sure you plan to get here early and take the transit if you are able. OC Transpo is free with your match ticket.
PLAYOFF PICTURE:
- The two-legged semifinals see regular-season champion Atlético Ottawa take on No. 4 seed Pacific FC, while No. 2 seed Forge FC will go head to head with No. 3 seed Cavalry FC.
- The aggregate winner over two legs (the side that outscores the other when the score from both matches are combined) progresses to the Final.
- Atlético Ottawa won the first leg 2-0 against Pacific FC.
- Forge FC and Cavalry FC played out a 1-1 draw in Calgary, with the return leg scheduled for Sunday at 5 PM ET (live on OneSoccer).
- The 2022 CPL Final will be played on Saturday, Oct. 29 or Sunday, Oct. 30, depending on the host club. The highest-seeded team remaining in the competition will host the single-leg championship match.
- Should Ottawa host the CPL Playoff Final, it will be played on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 6 PM ET at TD Place.
OTHER NEWS
- Atlético Ottawa duo, Ballou Tabla and Ollie Bassett, are among the five nominees for the Canadian Premier League Player of the Year award: MORE INFO
- Atlético Ottawa Head Coach, Carlos González, has been nominated for the Canadian Premier League Coach of the Year award: MORE INFO
- Atlético Ottawa goalkeeper, Nathan Ingham, has been nominated for the Canadian Premier League Goalkeeper of the Year award: MORE INFO