Vancouver FC fought Atlético Ottawa to a 1-1 tie at Langley’s Willoughby Community Park on Sunday, May 12.
With that, Vancouver snapped a two-game losing streak, while Ottawa remained undefeated through five games to start the 2024 CPL season.
After a quiet first half from both sides, the game came alive in the second half.
Ottawa opened the scoring in the 56th minute, as Rubén del Campo slotted home on a rebound after his team won the ball high up the pitch.
Then, Vancouver responded with an equalizer in the 68th minute, as Alejandro Díaz headed home a Kadin Chung cross to tie things at 1-1.
“Our mindset was to create opportunities and dangerous actions in their box,” Díaz said.
“We played a lot of crosses, and put pressure on them in their box, and that was important for our confidence, and thankfully we got the goal.”
Without their usual centre back duo of Rocco Romeo and David Norman Jr., who have started every game of the year up to this point, Vancouver fielded Anthony White and new signing Allan Enyou after Norman Jr., picked up an injury in Vancouver’s last match against Cavalry, while Romeo was out due to illness.
Both replacements were credited for refusing to be rattled after the Ottawa goal, the result of an error by White.
Caught in possession after trying to play out of the back, Ottawa punished White for that mistake, giving them the lead.
“Sometimes, when you put players in that situation, they have two options, and they took this and went for it,” Vancouver head coach Afshin Ghotbi said.
“Even if they make a mistake, they didn’t accept it, and I loved that mentality today, both of them.”
READ ALSO: Canadian Premier League’s inaugural ‘On Tour’ series to kick off in Kelowna
Veteran VFC fullback Kadin Chung was named player of the match.
Making his return after an injury, Chung had an assist, two dribbles and five passes into the final third offensively, combined with three tackles, four clearances, four interceptions, four recoveries and nine out of 14 duels won defensively.
Next, Vancouver FC will be on the road for a game against Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton on Saturday, May 18th. Their next home game is Saturday, May 25 at 3 p.m. at Willoughby.
READ ALSO: Young players shine in a losing cause as Vancouver FC falls to Calgary
READ ALSO: Global defender joins local pro soccer ranks
