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David Tuan Bui

Electric City Football Club took on defending Ontario League One champion Guelph United.

The men’s team forced a 0-0 draw in their season opener at the University of Guelph’s Alumni Stadium on Thursday night.

Tomas Alvarez (left) assisting teammate Connor Wilson (right) from a Guelph United defender. Photo courtesy of Electric City Football Club.

Electric City came inches from the club’s first-ever franchise goal as Tomas Ribeiro had a free-kick that sailed just over the crossbar and into the net over the goal posts in extra time . Daniel Oshana also had a tight call for ECFC to shoot just wide of the net in the 90th minute.

The team sent two busloads of fans to the game which gave the atmosphere of a home game as ‘Electric City’ chants filled the stands throughout the game.

“The support made the away pitch look like a home pitch,” said ECFC Men’s Head Coach Jamie Sherwood. “The noise they created really energized the players and helped them at times in the game.”

“The game against Guelph last night was another big milestone for Electric City on this incredible journey we’re on,” said Rob Jenkins, President of the ECFC. “It was amazing to see the players in the ECFC kits and the fans all in yellow supporting the club. The players showed their quality on the pitch by beating the defending champions and playing with the character that will be the pride of the club. community.

Electric City controlled most of the game, causing Guelph to play aggressively. This physical game resulted in six yellow cards for the defending champions.

“We were in control of the game and that was the message we gave to the players who started the game,” Sherwood said. “We wanted to control the game as much as possible. Control the game, control the environment, control the opposition and control how we can play.”

Electric City, despite not scoring a goal and drawing a game, played a favorable game with less than three weeks of training camp. Sherwood was introduced as the team’s head coach on April 4 ahead of the team’s first day of training camp.

“It shows what this band is capable of,” Sherwood said. “It absolutely shows where our baseline is now; we know our standard. If we can’t do that week in and week out, we won’t be where we think we should be at the end of the season.”

Ben Vyfschaft (mid) clearing the ball in the defensive zone. ECFC gave Guelph United only one high-quality chance throughout the match. Photo courtesy of Electric City Football Club.

The next men’s game for the ECFC is April 30 against the North Toronto Nitros at Downsview Park 2. Their home opener May 7 at 8 p.m. against Windsor TFC at Fleming Sports Complex.

The women’s team makes its debut on Saturday. The L1O Premier Division begins Saturday on the road at Alliance United in Markham at 3 p.m. Their first home game will be against the Oakville Blue Devils FC on May 14 at 3 p.m. in Fleming.

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