Don't look now, but the defending CPL Champions are in top gear approaching the 2026 CPL Playoffs.
With a 2-0 victory over Pacific FC in Victoria, Atlético Ottawa won their third straight match, and back-to-back road matches for the first time this season.
The win locked them into third place in the standings regardless of the results of their final two regular season matches. What matters now is being in top form when the playoffs begin, and they certainly look the part of the incumbent.
Less than a minute into the match, the visitors had already claimed the lead. Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau found himself behind and slotted the ball past Eleias Himaras.
After a week in which they conceded eight times over two matches in Ontario, it was a gut punch for the Tridents. But they responded well, pressing Atleti brilliantly during the first half and firing nine shots.
In the 14th minute, Atleti's Ballou Tabla made a great goalline clearance off a set piece opportunity, the closest the Tridents came to equalizing in the half.
Despite holding the lead at the half, Atlético Ottawa manager Gustavo Leal made a pair of changes to add more attacking width, bringing on Jean-Aniel Assi and Gabriel Antinoro.
Early in the second half, a miscommunication between Assi and Chris Kalongo, the goalkeeper picked up a backpass, leading to an indirect free kick in the box. Atleti defended it brilliantly, however, with their wall quick to get out and block the attempt.
In the 64th minute, Atleti added a second, again through some great work from Fleuriau Chateau. He cut down the wing and sent a cross into the box for Tabla to tap into an open net.
Pacific tried hard to ruin Chris Kalongo's clean sheet. But the Atleti keeper held strong, including a great late stop on Marco Bustos.
It was a third straight scoreless loss for the Tridents, but a much better showing than two lopsided losses out east during a difficult road swing.
For Atlético Ottawa, meanwhile, their next fixture will be an intriguing one, as they host Forge FC next Saturday in a matchup that, as things stand currently, would be a playoff preview.
Box Score
Starting XIs
Pacific FC: Himaras; Marshall, Belluz (Edwards 70'), Konincks, Quintana (Greco-Tayor 62'); Juhmi (Browning-Lagerfeldt 70'), Gomulka; Vales, Daniels (Bustos 62'), Heard; Kratt (Díaz 75')
Atlético Ottawa: Kalongo; Arnaud (Assi 46'), Dunn, Kozlovskiy, Coulanges; Aparicio, Gutiérrez; García (Castro 79'), Tabla (Walker 90+2'), Habibullah (Antinoro 46'); Fleuriau Chateau (Khoury 79')
Goals
1' - Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (Atlético Ottawa)
64' - Ballou Tabla (Atlético Ottawa)
Discipline
6' - Yellow: Juan Quintana (Pacific FC)
17' - Yellow: Joaquim Coulanges (Atlético Ottawa)
28' - Yellow: Aidan Daniels (Pacific FC)
38' - Yellow: Tim Arnaud (Atlético Ottawa)
76' - Yellow: Diego Gutiérrez (Atlético Ottawa)
79' - Yellow: Christian Greco-Taylor (Pacific FC)
79' - Yellow: Emiliano García (Atlético Ottawa)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, Atlético Ottawa
In a gritty match, Fleuriau Chateau's relentlessness resulted in a goal and an assist, and was the difference on Sunday night.
What's Next?
Pacific FC are off to ATCO Field for a battle with Cavalry FC next Saturday, Oct. 17 (4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT).
Atlético Ottawa return to the nation's capital, where they host Forge FC on Saturday, Oct. 17 (1 p.m. ET).