The Canadian Premier League (CPL) announced on Monday that teams will exit the COVID-19 bubble and return to their home cities beginning on July 30.
To start the season, games have been played exclusively at IG Field in Winnipeg, Man.
Atlético Ottawa is scheduled to play their first-ever match in their home city on Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. against HFX Wanderers FC. The club expects to host fans at TD Place as Ontario entered Step 3 of its reopening plan on July 16.
Step 3 permits 75 per cent of full capacity in outdoor venues with fixed seating, up to 15,000 people. The maximum capacity of TD Place is usually 24,000 people.
“There has always been love and support for soccer in the capital. The arrival of Atlético Ottawa signals a new era,” Atlético Ottawa CEO Fernando Lopez said in a press release. “Fans have had a small taste of what Atlético Ottawa is from afar and we cannot wait to have them fully experience this with us when we return on the pitch at TD Place.”
Ottawa forward Malcolm Shaw said he was excited for the team’s Ottawa debut.
“I definitely look forward to that,” Shaw said. “That privilege to play in front of fans was taken away from all of us, but … [we] are super excited to be able to play back in our home markets and be able to have family and friends come support live.”
Players said they weren’t informed of the CPL schedule until it was announced publicly, a decision that frustrated many, including Ottawa’s Dylon Powley and Chris Mannella.
Yesterday or last week woulda been cool too 🤷🏻♂️
— Dylon Powley (@DylonPowley1) July 10, 2021
Facts
— Chris Mannella (@c10mannella) July 10, 2021
“The players’ concern mainly is just being able to be proactive and letting family and friends know,” Shaw said. “One of our greatest pride and joys is to be able to have our loved ones support us and watch us play. Having a schedule will enable us to be more proactive in letting people know [when we play].”
The club plans to start selling single-game tickets for home games on July 19.
Ottawa is currently sixth in the CPL standings with a 2-4 record and will play its next match on Sunday against Edmonton FC.
Featured image from file.
