Vancouver FC Draws Atlético Ottawa, 1-1

May 12, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release

Matchday #4 of CPL action came to an end with a draw, as Vancouver FC and Atlético Ottawa combined for a 1-1 result at Langley’s Willoughby Community Park on Sunday.

With that, Vancouver snapped a two-game losing streak, while Ottawa remained undefeated through five games to start the 2024 CPL season, as both teams were unable to break open the game despite a back-and-forth second-half.

Amid a quiet first half, Vancouver FC’s Gabriel Bitar had the first good chance for either team in this game, as he stepped up to take a free kick won by Moses Dyer, but he curled his shot comfortably into the hands of Rayane Yesli in the Ottawa goal.

At the other end, Ottawa came close to scoring in the 11th minute, as Ballou Tabla got on the end of a nice Ollie Bassett pass into the box, but Tabla’s tight-angle shot would be denied by an excellent diving stop from Vancouver’s Callum Irving in goal.

After that, the game slowed down, before Tabla found some life again in the 30th minute. There, Rubén del Campo found Tabla in stride with a perfect through ball, but Tabla’s first shot would be saved by Irving, his rebound would be blocked by a sprawling Anthony White, before Aboubacar Sissoko would have a third look for Ottawa, one that would be just deflected wide of the net.

Continuing to threaten Vancouver’s backline, Tabla nearly played provider in the 43rd minute, finding del Campo with a perfect pass into the middle of the box, but del Campo was unable to generate a shot despite his dangerous position.

On the other side of half time, however, Ottawa finally found their opening goal. After dispossessing White deep in Vancouver’s half, Tabla found a wide-open Bassett in the box, and while his shot was kept out by an outstanding save by Irving, del Campo was there to jam in the rebound to give his team the lead.

Eager to respond quickly, Vancouver came closes to responding shortly after. On a free kick, Renan Garcia stung the hands of Yesli from distance, before Bitar had a dangerous look at goal on the rebound, one that Yesli also stood tall to.

Then, Bitar curled a dangerous shot from outside of the box in the 62nd minute, sending his shot just past the post of a rooted Yesli.

That pressure would pay off for Vancouver in the 68th minute, however. After some nice build-up play, Kadin Chung whipped in a dangerous cross, one that substitute Alejandro Díaz would rise perfectly to meet, heading…