Atlético Ottawa Wins, 4-3, Over Forge FC

June 28, 2024 – Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release

It was a wild and chaotic top-of-the-table clash at TD Place on Friday night from which Atlético Ottawa emerged the victors, as they traded leads with Forge FC multiple times en route to an exhilarating 4-3 win in the nation’s capital.

The two managers, well familiar with one another, each made some interesting changes to their sides for this clash. Atleti’s Carlos González opted to drop Ollie Bassett to the bench and instead bring Gabriel Antinoro into the XI.

Bobby Smyrniotis, meanwhile, made more drastic changes to his lineup, especially with Tristan Borges suspended. Malik Owolabi-Belewu came in at left-back, which meant a surprising turn in midfield for Daniel Parra. Noah Jensen made just his third start of the season, as captain Kyle Bekker went to the bench for this one.

Before either side had even a chance to settle into the game, the hosts shocked Forge with an early opening goal 90 seconds in. Antinoro won a free kick a little outside the penalty area, then delivered the set-piece to a good spot behind the defence. Former Forge midfielder Aboubacar Sissoko got free and tracked the ball well, showing off some acrobatics to volley it backward over his own head and into the net.

Ottawa’s fortunes turned a few minutes later though, as star attacker Ballou Tabla began labouring with an injury. When the game was barely 10 minutes old, Atleti were therefore forced to bring Bassett into the game far earlier than anticipated, with Tabla unable to continue.

Neither side caused significant danger through the rest of the first half, although Ottawa did produce far more opportunities but couldn’t beat Chris Kalongo again.

Needing to find a boost for his side at halftime, Smyrniotis made one change at the interval, bringing the pacier Malcolm Duncan in at right-back in place of Dominic Samuel.

Forge got themselves back in the game almost right away after the second half resumed. David Choinière worked tirelessly to chase down a ball trickling toward the end line, and he flicked it back toward the six-yard box. Ottawa defender Luke Singh redirected it with his chest the wrong way, straight into his own net for the equalizer.

In an astonishing flash, Forge found themselves in the lead just 10 minutes after halftime. They worked a clever routine from a corner kick that saw Choinière send it across the box to an unmarked Alex Achinioti-Jönsson, who jumped to head it from…