Fury FC Squad Takes Shape

There is no doubt that it is an exciting time to be a football fan in Ottawa- we’ve been named as one of the 2015 Women’s World Cup host cities, and the NASL’s newest franchise is set to begin play exactly two months from today!  The club is set to kick their season off approximately two months from today in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida against the Strikers, and OFFC manager Marc dos Santos has been mighty busy, reaching out to contacts the world over to provide OFFC with talent for their inaugural NASL campaign.

Let’s take a look at OFFC’s base roster as of February 12th, which features many experienced imports and some domestic flair as well.

Starting in goal, OFFC have signed Oakville, Ontario native Marcel De Bellis to be their main goalkeeper.  The 22 year-old De Bellis played in Portuguese powerhouse Benfica’s under-19 squad as a youth, and spent last season traipsing around Italy with Serie B Ascoli (six caps) and fourth division Bellaria Igea (seven caps).  De Bellis is a typical goalkeeper, standing 6’3 with gangly limbs and quick reflexes.  A decent signing with plenty of potential, De Bellis should be OFFC’s opening day goalkeeper of choice

Taking a look at defenders, OFFC’s biggest splash of the witner offseason has to be, without a doubt, Brazilian defender Maykon.  Maykon played for Cypriot champions AEL Limassol this past season, but personally interests me because of his extensive time in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, playing with the likes of Belenenses, Uniao Leiria, and Pacos de Ferreira.  He’s similar to Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao in that he can play both wingback and attack up front, which gives manager Marc dos Santos a versatile option.

Elsewhere in the back four, international signings Ramon Soria, who most recently suited up for C.D. Teruel of Spain’s Segunda B, and Omar Jarun will be expected to provide leadership and technical ability.  A 6’5 centreback, Jarun joins OFFC from Belgian club Charleroi, and has also played internationally for Palestine.  Canadians Andres Fresenga and Drew Beckie will provide some depth at the back, with Beckie being an MLS Draft Pick of the Columbus Crew and Fresenga joining OFFC from Racing Montevideo in Uruguay.

Manager Marc dos Santos has done a great job investing in international flair in the midfield, as OFFC have signed a few relatively high-profile players.  29 year-old Richie Ryan joins OFFC from Irish legends Shamrock Rovers, and has seen his fair share of pro football at various levels both domestically (Boston United, Sunderland, Dundee United) and on the continent (Royal Antwerp).  20 year-old Hamza Elias joins OFFC as a relative unknown from the Ghanaian Premier League, and will be expected to contribute pace and energy in the midfield.  Sinisa Ubiparipovic has plenty of MLS experience to call upon, as the former New York Red Bull and Montreal Impact midfielder joins OFFC from fellow NASL club Minnesota United, where he spent the Fall 2013 season.  Mauro Eustaquio is another foreign-based player who’s returning home with OFFC.  The 21 year-old spent the past European season with Naval of the Portuguese Third Division.  Scot Nicki Paterson rounds out the midfield signings, with experience both at the lower and upper levels of North American football.

Up front, the signings have been few and far between, but quality ones nonetheless. 26 year-old Tom Heinemann joins OFFC after a season spent in Vancouver with the MLS’ Whitecaps FC, where he failed to crack a tough Starting XI.  Standing 6’4, Heinemann’s EPL comparison would be Peter Crouch.  Carl Haworth returns to the nation’s capital after five seasons of worldbeating in the USL’s Professional Development League, the last one spent with the original Ottawa Fury.  Finally, the signing that excites me the most, Oliver Minatel.  The 21 year-old Brazilian is going to bring a quick, skillful game which might be too much for some NASL defenders.

All in all, manager Marc dos Santos has done an excellent job calling on scouts and friends in the global football community to put together a team that, at least on paper, looks like a competitive team in the NASL.  Obviously more depth will need to be brought in, but this squad has the makings of a memorable inaugural first campaign already.

Below is my *projected* opening day team sheet, with the team playing a 4-3-2-1.

GK – Marcel de Bellis

LB – Maykon

CB – Omar Jarun

CB – Drew Beckie

RB – Andres Fresenga

LCM – Hamza Elias

CM – Richie Ryan

RCM – Paterson (C)

LCAM – Eustaquio

RCAM – Ubiparipovic

ST – Minatel