The streak is over. Romuald Peiser and the Ottawa Fury were able to keep the ball from bulging their net for 648 minutes, a record in NASL, yet overcame their disappointment to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United.
The goal that would end the streak was a beauty. Minnesota right back Kevin Vennegas received the ball on the flank near midfield, looked up and sent a beautiful ball through the air to the streaking Christian Ramirez. The pass sliced through Fury centre backs Rafael Alves and Colin Falvey, took a bounce and Ramirez blasted the volley past Peiser. We knew the streak would eventually end, and the fact that it took a beautiful goal to do it is poetic justice.
The end of the streak did not seem to affect the Fury’s players, who kept on fighting with the same intensity. Their perseverance would be rewarded in the 75th minute, but would come at a cost. A few minutes earlier, Oliver had entered the match as a substitute for Andrew Wiedeman, marking his return from a lengthy layoff due to injury. As Oliver jumped up to head a ball onto goal, Minnesota forward Ramirez inexplicably tried clear the ball with a scissor kick. Instead, he gave Oliver some unwelcome rhinoplasty.
The penalty call was a good one from referee Nima Saghafi, but surely the dangerous play should have resulted in further punishment. Nevertheless, Tom Heinemann stepped up and successfully dispatched the penalty to tie the match. The goal lifted Tom Heinemann into sole possession of the Fury all-time goalscoring list with 9, ironically moving past Oliver. Oliver needed to be subbed out, and the extent of the damage was clear for all to see.
In the end, the Fury were able to get an important point on the road, something that hasn’t been a given in their short existence. It leaves them unbeaten in seven matches and looking solid heading into a three-match homestand.
Man of the Match: Tom Heinemann, Ottawa Fury FC. Heinemann not only got the goal, but was active throughout the match, making smart runs and got involved in almost everything the Fury created going forward.
Next Match: The Ottawa Fury host their expansion cousins Indy Eleven on Sunday at 3pm local time at Lansdowne Park Stadium. Minnesota will face the Jacksonville Armada at home on Wednesday at 7pm local time.
