This was only the second match between the two teams, but there is a derby feel in the air, a specific sporting and emotional charge when Atlético Ottawa and FC Supra face off.
By winning 5-3 against their new "best enemy," Atlético Ottawa made an excellent move in the standings, taking a three-point lead over an opponent with whom they shared the same number of points. They also get a real breath of fresh air after two winless matches. They will additionally be able to start the three-week World Cup break with a little more peace of mind, as the arrival of a new head coach looms following Diego Mejìa's departure for San Luis.
It was best to have a strong stomach and not arrive late at TD Place. The game was only three minutes old when Sean Rea, Supra's ever-indispensable playmaker, opened the scoring with a shot from outside the box—a true specialty of the Quebecer. It was a fourth goal that propelled him to the top of the league's goalscoring chart, even if he shares that first place.
Caught cold, the Atlético players found the necessary resources to equalize, thanks to the talent of two Quebecers: Joaquim Coulanges, who put on a technical clinic on his left flank and delivered an excellent cross for Assi, a ruthless goalscorer who left Gerges with no chance.
FC Supra, confident in their strength during the first 45 minutes, did not doubt themselves following this equalizer, scoring two more goals and heading into the dressing room with a lead and—or so we thought—some certainties.
Boughanmi, with a header from a classy free kick taken by Rea, and then Loïc Kwemi, full of opportunism, gave Supra a relatively logical advantage.
Despite a few very close calls on Gerges' net—who blew hot and cold throughout the match—Atlético Ottawa seemed to have been dealt a heavy blow. But that was only an impression.
Coming out of the dressing room, who could have predicted that Atlético would string together four goals without conceding one? No one, except maybe the Atlético players.
Right out of the gate in the second half, the ever-valuable Aparicio showed his team the way, proving sharper than the Quebec defence on a feed from Lopez.
It was at the hour mark that the coaching of novice Drew Beckie, the interim head coach managing his first game on the bench, transformed the match.
The former player threw Emiliano Garcia into the lion's den. He was the most fired up of all. Active in the press, sharp in his runs, he sparked Atlético's comeback. Conversely, on Supra's side, you could feel the tide turning. The serenity and confidence of the first half gave way to doubt and the opposing team's fury.
Garcia was first decisive in the equalizer by Ballou Tabla, who wasn't always prominent but proved crucial for his fourth consecutive match.
Ottawa's Mexican forward then took advantage of the nervousness and defensive generosity to give his side the lead ten minutes from time, before putting the final nail in Supra's coffin deep into stoppage time.
Supra had opportunities in the second half, but, mirroring their lack of pragmatism in defence, they failed to convert their chances offensively. Both Choinière and Marcoux missed their one-on-ones with Kalongo.
5-3 final score. Supra could have dreamed of a better result after a successful first half, but ultimately suffered a logical defeat. There are lessons to be learned from this encounter, but also the fact that the Quebec club has lost twice to Ottawa.
Good news: both clubs still have two matches to play this season in the CPL, plus a two-legged tie in the Canadian Championship.
The fans won't complain about that.
Box Score
Starting XIs
FC Supra: Gerges; Wandje (Elkalkouli; 82e), Ferdinand, Chrétien, Auguste; Boughanmi (Biello; 73e), Sissoko (Mlah; 70e), Rea; Choinière (Marcoux; 81e), Bayiha (Bey; 74e); Kwemi (Kaboré; 70e)
Atlético Ottawa: Kalongo; Assi (Timotéo; 59e), Aguilar, Cloutier, Abatneh, Coulanges; Castro (Khoury; 88e), Aparicio; Lopez (Habibullah; 81e), Tabla, Myklebust (Garcia; 62e)
Goals
3' - S. Rea (FC Supra)
29' - J. Assi (Atlético Ottawa)
38' - O. Boughanmi (FC Supra)
44' - L. Kwemi (FC Supra)
48' - M. Aparicio (Atlético Ottawa)
68' - Ballou Tabla (Atlético Ottawa)
79' - E. Garcia (Atlético Ottawa)
90+8' - E. Garcia (Atlético Ottawa)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Emiliano Garcia (Atlético Ottawa)
Subbed on during the match for the final half-hour, the Mexican forward put on a real show. Scoring two goals alongside an assist for Ballou-Tabla, he left his mark on the game and provided the necessary boost of energy and talent to his team, which was trailing when he came on.
What's Next?
FC Supra travels to face Cavalry on June 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET at TD Place in Ottawa, live on OneSoccer, TSN, and TVA Sports.
Pacific FC travels to face the Halifax Wanderers on July 1, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
For the full broadcast schedule: cplsoccer.com/watch.