Atletico Ottawa embraces youth movement

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/07/2021 (1552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The nation’s capital in the Canadian Premier League is finding a spark from a core of younger players looking to make their mark in the game of soccer.

In a post-game press conference earlier this season, Atlético Ottawa head coach Miguel Ángel Ferrer Martínez or Mista as he is known by the club, said his players have no defined age as to when they could start showing prowess in this league.

“Talent and quality has no age, and we are trying to enjoy that on our team,” said Mista.

With the belief younger players can join the CPL, Mista’s reflection has shown through his confidence in Ottawa’s youngest defender in Keesean Ferdinand. Only 17, the Montreal defender is set to turn 18 in August and has logged 210 minutes through five games this season with the club.

“Keesean has a very competitive personality, he played his first game as if he’s been playing for 20 years in professional soccer,” said Mista.

“This is a great notice when we played Cavalry, he helped make it more difficult for them to score. In the second half, he looked like a veteran player. For us we can use him when we need and we have no doubt about the performance from him.”

Following a 2-0 win over Cavalry FC on Sunday, Ferdinand reflected on the confidence the coach has shown in him early in the season.

“I believe in that, it shows our team has confidence with our younger players on the pitch,” said Ferdinand.

“It’s a major point where I am with Ottawa for this season to progress as a young player to have some minutes.”

Aside from Ferdinand’s goal to play as many minutes as he can, the defender has quickly learned another important takeaway in his first season with the club.

“I think in the mental aspect, playing 90 minutes you have to be focused,” said Ferdinand.

“In this league you never know what’ll happen between the two sides. It’s difficult to play game after game.”

On the other side of the pitch, Ottawa midfielder Antoine Coupland notched his first professional goal in the club’s win over Cavalry. Turning 18 in December, Coupland is currently the youngest active player in the league. The Chelsea, Que., athlete reflected on a moment he will not forget.

“Scoring my first professional goal, I hope will be the first of many, it felt amazing,” said Coupland.

“I have to give a big shoutout to Victor Martinez who did all of the action, got the ball and passed it to me towards a wide open net.”

A graduate of the Ontario Futuro Soccer Academy, Coupland signed his first professional contract at the age of 15 with the Ottawa Fury, the former NASL soccer team. At the time, Coupland was offered a trial by the English soccer club Sheffield United but turned it down to stay with the Fury. Now in his second year with Atlético Ottawa, the midfielder was able to reflect on the coach’s decision to insert him into the lineup as a substitute Sunday night.

“I was given an opportunity to play and think I made the most of it,” said Coupland.

“I thought I brought some energy to the team, got on the ball right away, had that chance and I think it’s a little preview of what I can do as a player.”

Mista says he is working hard to monitor the minutes of his younger players on the roster to lessen the chance of injury and muscle fatigue. The head coach was very positive about Coupland’s performance and could see the midfielder picking up substantial minutes going forward.

“Antoine’s goal is not only good for Atlético Ottawa, it’s very good for the Canadian soccer because young guys could play in the professional football and score, it’s a very good example for everyone,” said Mista.

As a result of the pandemic and island games played in 2020, TD Place in Ottawa has yet to host any soccer fans in the CPL. For Coupland, having lived in and around the Ottawa community on the Quebec and Ontario side, is a dream to finally be able to show the progress he’s made since playing for the Fury.

“For me having another opportunity to play like it’s in my backyard, in front of a great soccer community and culture, it was a definite yes for me,” said Coupland.

“Just being at TD Place with a packed crowd, the fans haven’t got to see us. We feel their support back home and in the bubble.”

Atlético Ottawa’s next matchup will be a rematch against the top-ranked Valour FC, Thurs., July 15 at 4 p.m.

jbernacki@freepress.mb.ca@JosephBernacki