Ottawa, Ont. – Saint Louis FC drew 2-2 with Ottawa Fury FC in front of 4,059 at TD Place Stadium in Week 24 of the USL.
Ottawa opened the scoring through a fine solo goal from Jonathan Barden in the 38th minute and looked destined for the home win. However, second half substitutes for Saint Louis FC made the difference as Seth Rudolph hit a rocket from 30+ yards out to level and then Milan Petosevic scored in the 78th minute to take the lead. Ottawa would level in the 88th minute thanks to a penalty scored by Steevan Dos Santos to earn the point.
The first half was dominated by Ottawa with 58% of the possession and a majority of clear scoring chances. The best opportunity for Saint Louis FC came early in the 6th minute as Ryan Howe found Sebastian Dalgaard at the back post from a free kick but Dalgaard’s cross was headed over the bar by Konrad Plewa. Ottawa nearly grabbed the lead in the 31st minute as STLFC goalkeeper Devala Gorrick made a great reaction save to deny Carl Haworth’s header from point-blank range. Ottawa’s pressure would pay off, however, as Barden beat two defenders and cut inside to finish at the near post in the 38th minute.
The second half saw Rudolph and Petosevic substituted into the action which immediately paid dividends. Rudolph won the ball just past the center line following a clearance from the Ottawa box and let loose with an unstoppable shot from over 30 yards out on the half volley to level the score in the 65th minute. Saint Louis FC would take the lead in the 78th minute through fellow substitute Petosevic as he was played into space by Ryan Howe and finished first-time for his first goal of the season. Ottawa would fight back and earn a penalty in the 87th minute as Seoane was brought down by Plewa which was dispatched by Dos Santos to keep the honors even at the final whistle.
The result keeps Saint Louis FC in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with 31 points after 26 games, while Ottawa Fury FC is just below in 12th place after 25 games.
