LANGLEY, BC
July 12, 2024
Vancouver FC vs. Atlético Ottawa

Weather: Sunny, 26 degrees

Recap: Vancouver FC 0, Atlético Ottawa 3

Atlético Ottawa entered the game with a healthy lead in the standings and were going to be a stiff test for Vancouver FC, who are in the middle of a tittle battle in the standings with only three points separating the 2^nd place and 6^th place teams.

Vancouver nearly opened the scoring in the 27^th minute on a header off a curling free kick that Nathan Ingham made a brilliant save on to keep the game scoreless. The game remained scoreless until the 57^th minute, when a mistake by the Vancouver defenders allowed Ballou Tabla to slip a free ball past Vancouver goalkeeper Callum Irvin for his 3^rd goal of the season.

Rubén del Campo extended the Ottawa lead to 2-0 in the 69^th minute after his initial shot hit the post and he slid the rebound in for his 7^th goal of the season.

Samuel Salter finished off the scoring in the 91^st minute on a low shot from 17 meters that should have been stopped by the Vancouver ‘keeper.

The game was much closer than the score indicated. The Vancouver defence made some glaring defensive mistakes. With a team as talented as Atlético Ottawa you just can’t give away easy scoring opportunities. This was the fifth time this season that Vancouver has given up three or more goals and they have now conceded a league leading 25 goals.

With the standings so tight and Vancouver having four of its next five games at home this is a critical point in the season for the second year club. Their next game is against second place York United at home on Saturday July 20^th at 3:00pm PDT.