Preview: Atlético Ottawa at Valour FC April 22

April 20, 2023 – Canadian Premier League (CPL) – Atletico Ottawa News Release

Atlético Ottawa head on to the road for the first time in the 2023 Canadian Premier League season, travelling to Winnipeg, MB, to face Valour FC (KO 7 pm ET, Live on OneSoccer). Head Coach Carlos González gave eight players their debuts in our Pay What You Can Home Opener, dedicated to the CHEO Foundation and Lily Millett, as Atleti fought back to earn a point in front of over 7,000 people at TD Place.

Here’s everything you need to know before Saturday’s IG Field visit.

Atlético Ottawa began their season with a 1-1 draw at home to Halifax Wanderers.

Last year’s top scorer for Ottawa, Ollie Bassett, got off the mark as he scored the equalizing goal on the stroke of half-time, set up by CF Montréal loanee Jean-Aniel Assi.

Six new players started in the Home Opener, including Assi, with two more coming off the bench.

A busy first week saw Atlético head to York Lions Stadium on Wednesday to replay Halifax in the preliminary round of the Canadian Championship in front of 50+ travelling fans.

History was made as González’s side bounced back from an early set-back to win 3-1, the club’s first win in the competition.

Atlético Ottawa will play Forge FC in the quarter-finals.

This was the first time that Atlético came from behind to win under González, with goals scored by Malcolm Shaw, Diego Espejo (first as a professional) and Maxim Tissot.

Bassett was forced to withdraw from the game after 15 minutes after going down with an injury off the ball.

This game was played at a neutral venue as neither side was able to host the match.

Last year Atlético Ottawa and Valour FC had an equal record against one another (1W-2D-1L) over the course of the season.

Valour FC kicked off their campaign with a victory at York United and currently sit top of the Canadian Premier League table.

Head Coach Phil Dos Santos’ side was subsequently eliminated by League1 BC team TSS Rovers in their midweek Canadian Championship match.

Valour’s match against Ottawa this weekend is their 2023 Home Opener.

Record head-to-head (all time): 2W-2D-4L; 8 goals scored, 17 goals conceded

QUOTE

Carlos González, Atlético Ottawa Head Coach

“Every team has faced a tough challenge in this first week, with a lot of travelling and playing three games. Now we play Valour who are a hard team to play against but we are coming off two games against the same opponent where we saw a lot of improvements from our side and we’ll be…