The Forward Press for Matchday 27 vs Vancouver FC: Dealing With Disappointment (Again)

Welcome to this week’s Forward Press, where Diego Mejía and Brett Levis joined the media before and after that disappointing and flat 0-0 draw vs Vancouver, which saw Ottleti’s title hopes slip once more after being given a lifeline in the race for the Shield. 

Bearingin mind the frustration of last week's dropped points to Valour in the dying seconds, Mitchell Tierney of CanPL.ca opened up the pre-match media session with a question about how the club will rebound from it, but Mejía deflected:

“I think that we are in a very good (position). We are fighting for all the goals that we had at the beginning of the season. I think that it's a moment to enjoy as a team, to try to share this moment with all the people that are around us, our families, with all the staff, not only the sporting staff, even the front offices. I think that it's a good moment for the club, we are having our best year in the history of the club, so it's time to enjoy (it). But, with the clear objective that we had, that is (to) win the championship.”

Tierney used his follow-up to question whether Vancouver playing with nothing to lose factored into Mejía’s game plan for the match:

“As you said, when you have nothing to lose it's easy to play, it's a dangerous match for sure … They (have) improved a lot in the last month, they are playing the best football in all the season right now, I think that it's a more organized team - they defend better than (at) the beginning (of the season), but i think that we need to put focus (on) our behaviours to improve all the weaknesses that we have as a team to try to arrive to the playoffs in (our) best shape.” 

Following the match, in what was one of the flattest performances of the season, Gord Smith of TSN 1200 was first to ask Brett Levis’ thoughts on that disappointing result, the second in a row:

“(We are) slightly disappointed, we probably didn't play our best. It's also important to remember we're still in it. We have another game, and we already gotta clear our minds and focus on next weekend, and just control what's in our control. We prepare for that game, take bits of his game, what we can learn, what we can better at, and focus on the next game.” 

Smith had the follow-up as well, where he asked about the apparent lack of urgency:

“(There were a few) situations where we were able to see where we (could) exploit them a little more. Our model is a little unique in that we try to keep the ball, to possess it, and sometimes that makes us look slow, as though we aren't in any hurry, but there is a theme behind that. We just have to stick to our model and focus.” 

To address both of these responses at once, most fans would probably view these as underwhelming answers. To only be “slightly” disappointed? They “probably” didn't play their best? To follow that up by reminding the audience that they are still in it, even though winning the league would require Forge to lose (something they have only done twice all year) and for Ottawa to win (something they have done only once in their last five)? To come out in two successive matches, against two of the worst teams in the league, knowing a win is needed to match Forge and give them the best hope to win the title, and play like that? Twice? 

As for the comment about the model making them appear slow, as opposed to actually being lackadaisical, without urgency, and seemingly not caring, it comes across as deflection. Most, if not all, fans watching that game knew that Ottawa were not playing their best, and to not take responsibility for that is disappointing - two missed chances, about a dozen wayward passes to no one, and only three shots on target says it all. A little honesty and ownership would have been appreciated after what has been a dismal stretch of play for the last month, even if the club is undefeated in that span, and raises the dormant questions that have plagued Ottawa for three years now, the ones that concern mentality and desire to win.

Returning to the questions, Tierney had one about the pressure the team is under to perform:

“Hard to say, maybe slightly. We have a young group, but I don't think being young means you don't have experience. This group has been through a lot this year, I guess maybe Vancouver are playing for contracts, you don't have anything to lose, you might be able to play with a little more freedom, but at the end of day that’s out of our control, and as long as we approach every game with the same mentality I think we’ll be alright.”

A slightly more acceptable answer, it has to be said. That concluded Levis’ session, and Gord Smith had the only relevant questions to Diego Mejía - the first concerning the coach’s thoughts on the match:

“I think that we played a good match, we had some opportunities … I feel really proud of the team, they pushed hard all the time, and this kind of match, the last match of the season, even more with that kind of opponent, that they have nothing to lose, so I think that the performance was good, (but) we need to be (cleaner) in the final third to score…” 

Finally, the follow-up pertained to the last match of the season:

“… we need to put focus (on) the next match, to try and play our best performance possible, to try to play really well in our last match. We will see, when the referee whistles at the end, we will see. I have a lot of confidence in the team and I think that this season is good so far for us.” 

Despite the optimism, there was at least some responsibility taken by Mejía with his answers. There were also a few questions about the fact ATO have gone undefeated at home this season, which while a historic feat, was seemingly being used as a distraction from poor performances. In addition to that, in the pre-match, there was a question regarding Sam Salter’s recently announced pre-contract agreement with GAIS, wherein Mejía expressed his happiness for Salter, and also revealed that he had had two other offers, both from Mexican teams, but Mejía thinks Salter chose well. 

ATO have one more match this season at the weekend, on Saturday, October 18th at 4 PM. CCSG will be hosting a Watch Party at the GCP as always, so head on down to watch the boys one more time in the regular season! Vamos!

About Alexander:

When he isn't busy playing or watching sports (or going to school at uOttawa), Alexander is managing his Atlético Ottawa database, which he started in 2020, and tracks everything you can think of about the club and its players. He also runs a BlueSky account dedicated to analyzing and rating CPL and NSL players using statistics, CPL by the Numbers.