After building a 2-0 lead, Vancouver couldn't keep Atl茅tico Ottawa at bay, in a game that saw the visitors claw their way back to a 2-2 draw at Willoughby Community Park Friday.
Vancouver would open the scoring in the 13th minute, which ironically came from a bit of Ottawa misfortune. After a great run down the right flank by Kunle Dada-Luke, he whipped in a dangerous ball, one that would bounce off Ottawa鈥檚 Lo茂c Cloutier, who stood by helplessly as the ball rolled in for the own goal.
Vancouver would respond with a perfectly timed goal. On a great corner from Vasco Fry, he found Emrick Fotsing at the back post, and the youngster headed the ball into the bottom corner with accuracy to make it 2-0 right before the break.
On the other side of half time, Ottawa鈥檚 constant pressure would lead to them finding their first goal in the 55th minute, and it鈥檇 come from the foot of dos Santos. This time, he鈥檇 be the provider, finding Salter with a beautiful cross into the box, one that Salter easily turned into the goal with his left foot to cut Vancouver鈥檚 lead to 2-1.
Ottawa found an equalizer in the 64th minute. After a great ball from Manny Aparicio to Salter, Salter would find himself denied on his breakaway attempt, but the rebound would then fall to Rodr铆guez, who鈥檇 slot the ball into an empty net to make it 2-2.
Vancouver almost gave their fans something to cheer about in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, as Mehdi Essoussi whipped in a perfect ball on a free kick, but his bouncing ball would bounce off the post and stay out, much to the relief of Ottawa鈥檚 defenders.
Ottawa would almost make them pay for that miss, as Monty Patterson fired a shot from distance, one that would deflect off Rodr铆guez and dribble into the net for what seemed to be a late winner, but the goal would be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Then, in the 6th minute of stoppage time, Salter had a glorious chance off a free kick, but he headed just wide on the final action of the game, as Ottawa鈥檚 late push was unable to yield a dramatic finish.
Wednesday, June 4 the Eagles will travel to Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, to play Valour.
Their next home game is June 15 against Forge.
