College named host of pro soccer weekend

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Eddie Rwema

EMC sports - Soccer fans in Ottawa will have another reason to celebrate this summer as Ottawa hosts the finals of the 2012 USL W-League Championship, one of the most important women's championships in North America.

The W-League, which operates a 30-team league throughout North America, announced Feb. 2 that the Ottawa Fury has been selected to play host to the semifinals and finals, featuring elite women's domestic and international stars at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex from July 27 to 29.

The tourney will features four teams: the champion of three of the league's divisions and Ottawa Fury that receives an automatic berth in finals as host of the event.

In a release, W-League senior director Amanda Duffy said she was thrilled with Ottawa Fury hosting the championship.

"As they have demonstrated in hosting all rounds of playoff tournaments during the past decade, the Fury will undoubtedly provide all the necessary components of a successful championship."

The organizers are counting on the support Ottawans and soccer fans in Canada for an exciting and competitive final four.

Fury owner John Pugh said his franchise was proud to partner with W-League in hosting the championship.

"Canada's capital has proved itself time and time again a great city in which to stage major soccer events," Pugh said in a release.

Ottawa previously hosted the W-League Championship in 2004, with the Vancouver Whitecaps taking the crown.

Since joining the W-League in 2000, the Fury have amassed a record of 116-23-16 collecting eight division titles, five conference championships, six final four appearances and three appearances in the championship final.

Having not lost at home in more than three years (23-0-2), the Fury are hopeful that home-field advantage will help lead them to their first W-League title.

The Algonquin College Soccer Complex is the year-round home of the Ottawa Fury.

2014 AND 2015

Ottawa has also bid to play host to a pair of high-profile international women's events in 2014 and 2015.

A delegation from the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) and the Canadian Soccer Association toured the Ottawa last year to evaluate Ottawa's readiness to host the FIFA Women's Under-20 World Cup in 2014 and the Women's World Cup in 2015.

Eddie.rwema@metroland.com