Another day, another friendly, another preview package. Today, I sit down with Stuart McTaggart from Northern Starting XI for intel on the Ottawa Fury. Make sure to follow Stuart on Twitter @FuryFanatic and follow the site at @NorthernXI.
Full preview coming tomorrow morning.
For Club and Country: After finishing out of the playoffs last year, what are the expectations in the USL for 2018? Is there optimism that the team will improve?
Northern Starting XI: I think most fans are expecting Fury to make the playoffs this year, simply because Julian De Guzman and Nikola Popovic have secured some quality signings and have galvanized the group together really well.
FCAC: What has the Fury’s pre-season camp looked like so far? (As far as I can tell, this is the first competitive friendly).
NSXI: Fury had a few closed door preseason games against some local men’s teams but Nashville seems to be their one and only true test in the preseason. If they’re playing in Canada it’s closed doors on fake turf (still below zero here) so the Florida trip is as much about playing on grass and training outdoors as it is getting preseason matches under way.
FCAC: Who are the key players to watch Friday? Who are the offensive threats and defensive stalwarts?
NSXI: Colin Falvey and Nana Attakora will be the ones to watch in central defense. Both are amazing defenders, but it’s their first time playing with each other. Going forward I think Kevin Oliveria will create a lot of chances and returning forward Steevan Dos Santos will be a threat in front of goal
FCAC: Does the Fury come out trying to win the game, or do they cycle through their personnel and tactics heavily, seeing the game as more a chance to prepare for the season than a game to go out and win?
NSXI: I think they’ll cycle through some players and tactics but I don’t see it being a throw-away friendly. I think they’ll want to win for morale. I’d bet that 5-6 of the starters may play close to 90 minutes to get up to match fitness
FCAC: Score prediction? Any other specific predictions?
NSXI: Prediction: Fury 3-1. Nashville still trying to find their feet I hope Fury can score a few. But it could be a close game. W
Club and Country 