Match Preview: Atlético Ottawa Fly Out West To Take on Pacific FC
Atlético Ottawa kept its unbeaten streak at home going in a thrilling draw at TD Place last weekend but faces a tough test on Sunday with a visit to top-of-the-league Pacific FC (KO 4:30 pm ET, live on OneSoccer). With just 10 matches remaining in the Canadian Premier League regular season, Atlético has the chance to move to within four points of the top of the table with a win at Starlight Stadium.
Here’s everything you need to know before Sunday’s clash at Starlight Stadium.
- Atlético Ottawa sits in 4th place in the Canadian Premier League with 25 points from 18 matches.
- Pacific FC is 1st with 32 points from 18 matches.
- This is the third meeting between Ottawa and Pacific in 2023 (0W-1D-1L).
- Ottawa remains undefeated at home over the past six matches with a six-goal thriller in the capital last Saturday against York United.
- The match ended 3-3 with Ottawa’s goals scored by Carl Haworth and Diego Espejo.
- This was Espejo’s first CPL goal for the club in what was his 42nd appearance in the competition.
- The Spanish defender is suspended for this weekend’s match due to yellow card accumulation.
- Haworth’s double saw Ottawa come back from two goals down and was named ‘Player of the Week’ for his performance.
- The 33-year-old was also named to the Team of the Week for the third time this season.
- This was Espejo’s first CPL goal for the club in what was his 42nd appearance in the competition.
- The match ended 3-3 with Ottawa’s goals scored by Carl Haworth and Diego Espejo.
- Striker Malcolm Shaw and Pacific FC captain Josh Heard are joint-top scorers in this fixture (four goals).
- Pacific midfielder Ayman Sellouf has two goals in the last two matches against Ottawa.
- Midfielder Ollie Bassett has three goals in this fixture having played for both teams.
- Pacific FC has won two of its last three matches – both coming away from home against Valour FC and Halifax Wanderers respectively.
- However, Merriman’s side hasn’t won at home since June 21, 2023 (1-0 v Valour FC) with a 0W-1D-2L record since.
- The last meeting with Atlético at Starlight Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw.
- Nathan Ingham saved a late penalty as Atleti was reduced to 10 men following a red card to Espejo.
- Atlético Ottawa’s next home match is August 26, 2023, against Forge FC.
- This match is in partnership with You Can Play and Capital Pride as Ottawa celebrates Soccer For Everyone at TD Place.
- Record head-to-head (all-time): 3W-4D-5L; 13 goals scored, 17 goals conceded
