Humble Fury find first place unfamiliar but to their liking
When Marc Dos Santos says it, you know he means it.
If you’re listening in for soft symphony music, tugging on the heartstrings in the background, as the Fury head coach describes his team as being “humble,” you won’t find it.
Anyone who’s attended his spirited, hugely intense practice sessions — where barking and fingerpointing thrive — understands the NASL coach is anything but sentimental or maudlin.
“We are humble. Like in the locker-room, if you guys were there, there’s no party mode. We haven’t achieved anything (yet). We haven’t won anything. Yes, we are high in the standings and in a playoff spot, but in three weeks this moment maybe doesn’t mean anything.”
Nevertheless, Dos Santos’ group is on a remarkable role. Eleven games undefeated and 5-0-1 out of the gate in the Fall Season. The Fury hasn’t lost since May 2 and has allowed but five goals-against during the 11-game run.
Ironically, the team standing in the way of a continuation of the streak: the Indy Eleven.
Saturday night Ottawa travels to Indianapolis (Fall Season record: 1-2-3-6, 8th place).
The Fury leads the Fall standings with 16 points, three clear of the Atlanta Silverbacks, with a game in hand.
“I’ve trained all ages. I’ve trained in a club that has a 17 million fan base, probably 10 times the (fan base of) the Montreal Canadiens (Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras). I’ve been in that environment. I’ve been in environments with big budgets and small budgets and I can tell you one thing about this group ... this group is special, they have a championship DNA,” said Dos Santos. “This is the DNA-mentality of a champion.”
This matchup also seems advantageous for the humble visitors. Lifetime, Ottawa has four wins and one loss versus Indy. Indianapolis heads in on a two-game slide as well.
Sturdy defender Colin Falvey is quick to shut down any idea of over-confidence.
“We just have to be a little more clinical than we were last week against Edmonton (a 1-0 Ottawa victory). We suffered a little not putting away our chances and putting away the game,” said the native of Cork City, Ireland.
Falvey agrees the Fury is a tight group. As modest as the club believes itself to be, there’s a bit of fire building as the success loiters.
“There was some stuff that came in the press in Edmonton last weekend that we weren’t happy about, saying ours was a false position (first place) and this-that-and-the-other. We didn’t get much respect. But really? We don’t care what people think about us,” said the 30 year old.
“We’re not the same mentality as the team that started the year. We got stronger as Marc and the coaching staff said that we would. Teams have to respect us now. But we don’t get ahead of ourselves, and yeah, we’re a pretty humble group.”
And the group added another depth part this week as the NASL’s international transfer window closed.
With Nicki Paterson finished for the season (torn ACL), Ottawa had one international roster spot open and signed German striker Ugur Albayrak.
“I hope I can help this team and of course I’m very happy to join this team,” said Albayrak, who last played competitively in March. “It’s good to play on a team that’s in first place, for sure.”
Albayrak is available for Saturday, that’s if Dos Santos needs him.
“Of course he’s an option,” said Dos Santos. “Is he going to start? Probably not. Is he going to travel? I think so. He needs to travel and he needs to feel a part of this team as fast as possible.
“We didn’t sign him to be the saviour ... but he’s a very good option. With Ugur, we are a little bit better.”
The NASL full roster freeze arrives Oct. 5.
Until that point, Ottawa can only acquire (sign, trade or transfer) a Canadian or American player playing in Canada (FC Edmonton, Montreal Impact, Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps) or a Canadian player who is currently unattached.