Ottawa Fury FC made another roster announcement on Monday, the second in five days for the NASL side in Canada’s capital.
The club announced it has managed to procure the services of two key members of its 2014 squad for the upcoming campaign, bringing its squad total to fifteen.
Returning in 2015 will be Brazilian winger Oliver and Canadian defender Philippe Davies.
The signature of Oliver is a crucial one for Ottawa, and some supporters had been getting nervous as the winter wore on without an announcement on the Brazilian’s status with the club going forward. However, all is well in Fury-land as the club’s leading scorer in its debut season in the NASL has put pen to paper on a deal with Fury FC. Oliver proved to be the club’s most dynamic offensive player in 2014, leading the team with seven goals and three assists in its NASL debut. That being said, fitness was a bit of an issue for the 22 year-old, who was also unlucky to miss Fall Season matches after suffering a vicious elbow from New York Cosmos midfielder Danny Szetela. When fully fit, Oliver was easily the best player on the pitch going forward for Fury FC – there were even whispers of MLS interest in the young Brazilian at later points of the 2014 season. However, the former PSV youth was oft-limited in his movement by nagging injuries, and staying consistently fit will be his biggest battle in 2015 as his talent is beyond doubt for this level.
Philippe Davies returns in 2015 after a quietly solid rookie year in the NASL last year with Fury FC. The former Vancouver Whitecap had as good a season as anybody around the club could have possibly hoped for, making twenty-three appearances in a variety of positions after spending the previous two years with third-division outfit Richmond Kickers. Davies can essentially play anywhere along the right flank, and his versatility makes him an asset off the bench. The Longueuil, Quebec native – uncapped at the international level in two years after playing for Canada at multiple youth levels – will be sizing up 2015 as another opportunity to try and return to the Canadian national team radar.
Another two players for the roster, but how much better has Ottawa Fury FC gotten this offseason? Stay tuned later this week for Fury FC: Making the Grade.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on twitter – @Carlos77Verde. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
