Atletico Ottawa 3 – 2 Pacific FC
Canadian Premier League – July 27, 2026

Atletico Ottawa edged Pacific FC in a pulsating 3-2 victory at TD Place Stadium on July 27, 2026, extending their strong home form in the Canadian Premier League. The match featured five goals, a red card, and a late winner that sent the home crowd into raptures.

Match Overview

Ottawa started brightly and took an early lead through a clinical finish from forward Samuel Salter in the 12th minute. Pacific responded quickly, equalising via a Kekuta Manneh header just before the half-hour mark. The visitors then turned the game on its head when Sean Young fired home from distance in the 38th minute to make it 2-1 at the break.

Ottawa came out with renewed intensity in the second half. Substitute Ruben Bover levelled the score in the 63rd minute with a fine curling effort from the edge of the box. The game looked to be heading for a draw until the 82nd minute, when Manny Aparicio nodded home a corner kick to complete the comeback.

Key Moments

• 12' – GOAL (1-0): Salter latches onto a through ball and slots past Pacific goalkeeper Emil Gazdov.
• 28' – GOAL (1-1): Manneh rises highest to meet a cross from the right wing.
• 38' – GOAL (1-2): Young unleashes a thunderbolt from 25 yards that clips the underside of the bar.
• 63' – GOAL (2-2): Bover's first-time strike beats Gazdov low to his left.
• 82' – GOAL (3-2): Aparicio's near-post flick from a corner gives Ottawa the lead.
• 90+4' – RED CARD: Pacific's Abdou Samake is sent off for a second booking.

Tactical Story

Ottawa manager Carlos González switched to a diamond midfield in the second half, which overloaded the centre and allowed full-backs to push higher. Pacific's defensive line struggled to cope with the increased width, and Ottawa's equaliser came directly from a cross after a quick switch of play. The hosts' pressing also forced several turnovers in dangerous areas.

Standout Performers

• Manny Aparicio (Ottawa): Scored the winner and was a constant threat from set pieces.
• Kekuta Manneh (Pacific): A constant menace on the left flank, scoring one and setting up Young's strike.
• Nathan Ingham (Ottawa): Made three crucial saves in the second half to keep his side in the game.

League Context

The win lifted Ottawa into third place in the CPL standings, three points behind leaders Cavalry FC. Pacific remained fifth, but have now lost three of their last four away matches. The result also kept the playoff race tight, with only six points separating second from seventh.

Attendance at TD Place was announced at 8,422, one of the highest of the season, as Ottawa continued to build momentum ahead of the crucial final stretch of the regular season.