Matchweek 20 kicks off in the nation's capital, where a surging Atlético Ottawa side host newly-confident Pacific FC.
Atleti play at home again after another dramatic comeback win last weekend, where Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau — not for the first time — scored late and Ottawa beat Inter Toronto 2-1.
Now, Ottawa have won four of their last five league matches (and Fleuriau Chateau has scored in four of them), and they suddenly seem comfortable in third place. With 33 points, they're six up on Vancouver FC and 11 above the playoff line.
One could argue that Atleti's rise up the table truly began against Pacific, who now visit TD Place again. Back on July 26, Ottawa came from behind as Fleuriau Chateau scored a 96th-minute winner in his debut.
However, that game was one of several in a row that left Pacific frustrated. The match in Ottawa — head coach Terry Dunfield's first game in charge — was the start of a run of four straight matches where they took the lead but didn't win.
At last, though, Pacific have tasted victory. They won 4-3 at home over the Halifax Wanderers last weekend in a remarkable back-and-forth contest where Diego Konincks scored the equalizer and winner in the last few minutes. It was the Tridents' first win of the season, and it seems to have taken a tremendous load off the players' shoulders.
Pacific do remain at the bottom of the table, but the sheer fact that they finally broke their winless streak will be a considerable boon.
The Tridents haven't beaten Atlético Ottawa since a trip to the capital in 2024, but they did play well in a 2-2 draw with them earlier this year at Starlight Stadium. Dunfield, who wasn't with the club yet for that game, will nonetheless hope his side can draw on that performance for a positive result this time around.
NEWS & NOTES
- Atlético Ottawa defender Sergei Kozlovskiy will serve a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation. Midfielder Manny Aparicio is one yellow card away from a suspension of his own.
- Pacific head coach Terry Dunfield has served his suspension and is eligible to return to the touchline.
PROJECTED STARTING XIs
Atlético Ottawa: Kalongo; Assi, Mbomio, Cloutier, Aguilar; Habibullah, Aparicio, Castro, Antinoro; Tabla, Fleuriau Chateau
Pacific FC: Melvin; Chung, Quintana, Konincks, Greco-Taylor; Gomulka, Browning; Bustos, Daniels, Toualy; Kratt