Ottawa
Sun: Wizards still Turning Heads in CPSL
Wizards still turning heads in CPSL
By TIM BAINES, Ottawa
Sun
One season ago, the expansion Ottawa Wizards were the
first-year darlings of the Canadian Professional Soccer League, stunning a long
list of opponents with quickness, solid defence, a deadly scoring touch and
superb goaltending.
Not much has changed in a year, except opponents are no
longer shocked when they lose to the rock-solid Wizards, who close out their
regular season today with fan appreciation night at Oz Optics Stadium.
"We
thought there might be a bit of a difference from last year," said Wizards GM
Jim Lianos. "We thought maybe we snuck up on a few teams, maybe it wouldn't be
the same. But we've really stepped it up."
Indeed.
The Wizards have
already repeated as league champions, and also again won the league's Canada
Cup. Next up is the Rogers Cup next weekend. With 15 wins and two ties, the
Wizards have lost just once all year.
Once again, Kevin Nelson is the
league's top scorer with 17 goals. He's often set up by Abraham Osman, who has
12 goals and 14 assists.
Rookie Sabrahima Traore has stepped in for last
year's superb goalkeeper, Richard Goddard, who was loaned to the A-League
Charlotte Eagles.
Traore has 14 shutouts.
Almonte's Russell Shaw has
helped out on wing and defence.
Other key contributors include Kwame
Talemaque, Nikola Brkljaca, Shurland David, Roger Groome, Abraham Francois,
Danny Sanna, Peter Mponda and Robin Hard.
"We've had a few additions, but
the nucleus is back this year," said Lianos. "It's a good idea to have that
nucleus. For us, we do well when we play together. It's consistency."
Tonight's game, against Montreal, begins at 8:30 p.m.
.
.