Atlético Ottawa’s quest for back-to-back Canadian Premier League championships remains alive after a 2-2 draw against Forge FC at TD Place on Sunday afternoon Forge opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Anthony Aromatario, before Diego Gutiérrez answered for Ottawa eight minutes later Marko Jevremović restored Forge’s lead in the 35th minute, but Ballou Tabla tied things up just before halftime. Neither team could find the winner in the second half. Before the action on the field, Atlético supporters were making plenty of noise off it. Members of the Capital City Supporters Group gathered at Flora Hall on Bank Street, which recently partnered with Atlético Ottawa to create its own beer called the “Championes.” From there, supporters marched 1.6 kilometres towards TD Place, their longest pregame march yet. For longtime supporter Jon Hopkins, the playoff atmosphere brought back memories of last year’s snowy championship victory. “It’s the greatest sporting day of my life by far,” Hopkins said, recalling the freezing conditions. And after experiencing the club’s first championship, he’s hoping for another. “It makes you want it again. It makes you want it more,” Hopkins said. Atlético Ottawa’s chief of operations Alex Mejia says the club’s goal is to return to the final and defend its title. The two teams will meet again Saturday, Nov. 7 in Hamilton for the deciding second leg, with a spot in the CPL final on the line.
