Atlético Ottawa has broken a new record, winning back-to-back games for the first time in the club’s short history. However, for a pair of close friends who have risen through the ranks together, the elation of the past two weeks represents more than just six points. Québec duo Zakaria Bahous and Zachary Roy signed for Atleti during the off-season and, after impressing in Madrid, have found their way onto the field at TD Place within just two games – both making their professional debut.
They’ve shared the field many a time before though having played together for a season for the Champlain Cavaliers just outside of Montréal. “It’s special playing with him you know. He played right back and me in the number 8/10 position,” Bahous said. “To have played together and then to progress at the same time, it’s been so cool having someone we know very well to live this with.”
Away from the pitch, they have helped each other feel at ease and even lived together when they first moved to Ottawa (with Bahous teaching Roy the basics of cooking pasta). within a professional group, surrounded by experienced players speaking various languages. “There was a lot of English and Spanish so having French speakers was great for us,” Roy explained. “I feel like we helped each other, I wasn’t alone in my little corner, there was someone I knew going through this too.”
They gelled quickly though and, as you’d expect, they are treated like the younger brothers of the group. He and Bahous are sharp though, making sure they pick up some tips and tricks from players who ‘have seen how football’s played around the world’. “I’m not a big talker, but I do listen” Bahous laughed. “It’s made our debuts so easy, having guys next to you who have done this their whole lives.”
Singling out specific players who have helped them adapt was ‘impossible’ as according to the former-FC Laval midfidlder ‘they’re all like that’. Bahous impressed during a pre-season friendly against CF Montréal u23’s and was given his pro-debut in the final ten minutes of the Home Opener.
“As soon as Drew got his red card the coach decided to make a little tactical change and that I would be the right guy for the job on the wing,” the 20-year-old revealed. “It was a super important day for me for sure, to get my first game which I hope will be my first of many. He added, “I know I didn’t get too many minutes but I got what I feel like I deserved, the first game of the season and first minutes as a pro. I couldn’t be happier.”
Roy, on the other hand, had to wait another week as Head Coach Carlos Gonzalez threw him into the fray during the dying embers of the recent 1-0 win over HFX Wanderers, joining Bahous who had been subbed on earlier. “I was just so happy to see him get on the field,” said Roy speaking of the home opener. “Seeing him get minutes, showing what he can do, I’m confident he’ll keep doing that and more … [Against HFX Wanderers] I came on on the right side of midfield and he was on that side too. We’ve played together before and have a good understanding – it was great being able to join him.”
Finding and nurturing promising young talents is one of the key objectives of both Atlético Ottawa and the Canadian Premier League and is a task that the training staff are taking seriously. “It’s normal that, at the start, it takes them longer to break into the team,” explained Head Coach Gonzalez. “They have good talent, they’re working hard and we are working hard on them too.” The younger players in the squad were given an extra training session last week to help them take the next step up and to really start pushing for a starting spot ‘next month’. “I am so proud to see young players I coached and helped develop, play for Atlético Madrid and strong leagues in Europe,” he added. “Our aim is to do the same here, to help develop the level of the young players in this country and raise the level of football in Canada.”
When asked how he celebrated his professional debut Bahous, who is currently observing Ramadan, explained that he spoke with his close friends and family who were ‘all really happy and proud’ and, forever the athlete, treated himself to a simple dinner of pasta and chicken. Roy was happy to gorge a little more, having returned home to see his friends and family in Montréal for Easter. “It’s been amazing to be able to go home and celebrate [my debut],” he said. “Everyone was really excited to see me. It’s always good to get to spend some time with your family but yeah, it’s honestly been great. Mum and Dad for sure, and my sisters, have been the proudest. But it’s been great to get messages from my friends and former coaches too.”
With their first professional steps now trailing in their wake, the team host Valour FC on Sunday at TD Place as Atlético Ottawa celebrates the city’s First Responders and Front Line workers. GET TICKETS.