Atletico Ottawa, Vancouver FC Move to Canadian Championship Semifinals
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By Kaus Pandey
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Summary:
- Atlético Ottawa edged York United 4–3 (6-4 on aggregate) on Tuesday to punch their ticket to the Canadian Championship semifinals.
- Vancouver FC followed suit after edging Cavalry FC in a penalty shootout (5-4) amid a 1–1 draw.
- Both teams are looking forward to learn their opponents following Wednesday’s matches.
Atletico Madrid’s 2020-founded football club Atlético Ottawa defeated York United 4–3 on Tuesday at York Lions Stadium, winning the quarterfinal 6–4 on aggregate and grabbing their ticket to the Canadian Championship semifinals.
In similar news, Vancouver FC also earned a spot in the semifinals with a heart-pounding shootout win over Cavalry FC at ATCO Field.
Sissoko: “We Kept Pushing”
Samuel Salter and Aboubacar Sissoko brought the ultimate victory to Diego Mejía’s side with last-minute goals that turned the one-goal deficit into an unbelievable victory.
“We kept pushing because we believed the goals would come”, said Sissoko after he managed to sealing the win just two minutes into injury time.
Salter had equalized just six minutes earlier with his second goal of the match, striking in the 84th minute to level things at 3-3.
York struck first when Julian Altobelli opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Atlético Ottawa answered quickly through David Rodriguez in the 20th, and Salter added his first of the night just two minutes later to put the visitors ahead 2-1.
York’s hopes took a hit in the 26th minute when Elijah Adekugbe was sent off with a red card, but the home side refused to fold. Altobelli scored again in the 37th to make it 2-2, and Massimo Ferrin put York back in front 3-2 with his goal early in the second half.
Ottawa’s constant pressure finally broke through, as they managed to control 69% of the ball and outshot York 14–11, pinning the short-handed home side deep in their own half for most of the second half.
The visitors had already taken a slim 2–1 lead from the first leg on June 11.
Next up, Ottawa will face the winner of Wednesday’s quarterfinal between CF Montreal and Forge FC at Saputo Stadium. Forge leads that series 1–0 after taking the opener on May 20.
Vancouver Turned 5 Penalties
Vancouver got past Cavalry FC 5–4 on penalties after the two sides played to another 1–1 draw Tuesday night at Spruce Meadows
Nicolas Mezquida opened the scoring for Vancouver with a 23rd-minute penalty, but an own goal in the second half brought Cavalry level.
With the series still tied 2–2 after the first leg in Langley also ended 1–1, it all came down to the shootout, and Vancouver held their nerve to move on. Head coach Afshin Ghotbi’s squad converted five of six penalties to advance.
Midfield star Shamit Shome following the result at Spruce Meadows,
I think obviously we’re disappointed. We wanted to push together to get to the semifinals for the first time in a while.
Now, Vancouver FC will face the winner of Wednesday’s quarterfinal between the Vancouver Whitecaps vs Valour FC, who are tied 2-2 heading into the second leg at BC Place.
