Ottawa\u2019s Emiliano Garc\u00eda opened the scoring just before halftime (45+6\u2019) after Pacific goalkeeper Sean Melvin failed to hold onto the ball after good save on a strong header by Atl\u00e9tico defender Enmanuel Mbomio Angue.<\/p>\n
After Pacific FC took a 2-1 lead with back-to-back goals early in the second half, Ballou Tabla \u2014 Atl\u00e9tico Ottawa\u2019s leading scorer this season \u2014 equalized in the 76th minute with a side-footed shot to make it 2-2.<\/p>\n
But the main event happened at the end of the game thanks to Ottawa\u2019s newest signing, hometown boy Fleuriau Chateau. The 24-year-old forward came on in the 63rd minute and scored the winning goal after a run of more than 60 metres in the sixth minute of stoppage time.<\/p>\n
\u2018I couldn\u2019t have imagined a better debut, especially with my family in the stands. It was an incredible moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ottawa-born Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, newly acquired Atl\u00e9tico attacker<\/p>\n
Fleuriau Chateau officially joined Ottawa just a few days earlier after a stint with Galway United in Ireland \u2014 where he\u2019d played only three games in six months \u2014 and gave the 5,015 spectators at TD Place a moment to remember.<\/p>\n
During the post-match press conference, Fleuriau Chateau shared his enthusiasm after celebrating with his teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t have imagined a better debut, especially with my family in the stands,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was an incredible moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe past six months have been tough for me. I didn\u2019t get the opportunities I deserved, so this is a relief.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/coach-crowd.jpg\")
Despite the victory, Leal said during the post-game press conference that it was not his team\u2019s best performance. However, getting the win was the most important thing, he added. Leal noted that the standings remain wide open, and that in his first two games as head coach \u2014 one draw and one win \u2014 the team had controlled their opponents for the most part. Maintaining an edge in play, he said, will be key in the second half of the season. [Atl\u00e9tico Ottawa \u00a9 Philippe Larivi\u00e8re]<\/p>\n
The July 24 press release announcing the Atl\u00e9tico had secured Fleuriau Chateau through the end of the 2027 season highlighted his time with the Vancouver Whitecaps in North America\u2019s top-tier Major League Soccer. He has also made 10 appearances for Vancouver Whitecaps II in MLS Next Pro, where he scored 10 goals and added five assists.<\/p>\n
Fleuriau Chateau also scored seven goals and earned five assists in 25 appearances in Finland\u2019s top league.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been gone for six or seven years and just to have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family is amazing,\u201d Fleuriau Chateau said in the press release. \u201dObviously I\u2019m from around here and to come to Ottawa is really special. I was looking for my next move, and it was hard to say no when the option to come home came up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Season of twists and turn <\/p>\n
Atl\u00e9tico Ottawa\u2019s game against Pacific FC marked the mid-point of the 2026 Canadian Premier League season.<\/p>\n
The July 26 win gave The Red and White a record of six wins, five losses and three draws, good for third place in the CPL standings with 14 games to play.<\/p>\n
After a difficult start, with just one win in their first five games \u2014 including a 4-1 loss to Inter Toronto \u2014 Atleti\u2019s 3-1 victory over Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship preliminary round appeared to be a turning point for Ottawa.<\/p>\n
The team, coached by Diego Mej\u00eda before his promotion to Atl\u00e9tico\u2019s sister club in Mexico, put in some impressive performances \u2014 especially at TD Place, including a victory over league-leading Forge FC, unbeaten until then.<\/p>\n
Players like captain Manny Aparicio and striker Tabla \u2014 who leads the CPL with seven goals in the first 14 games \u2014 have shown how essential they are for Ottawa.<\/p>\n
This offensive strength is also characterized by a possession-based style of play and high-pressure defence, forcing opponents to retreat.<\/p>\n
The group can also rely on younger players such as Rony Mbomio or Sergei Kozlovskiy, who is currently representing Canada at the Concacaf U-20 Championships.<\/p>\n
But the most encouraging thing about the first part of the season was maintaining consistency despite an uncertain coaching situation.<\/p>\n
Since Diego Mej\u00eda\u2019s departure to Atl\u00e9tico San Luis in Mexico and the transition to interim coaches Drew Beckie and Diego Campos, Ottawa showed resilience and remained a contender.<\/p>\n
Stability is back in the locker room following the appointment of Brazilian Gustavo Leal<\/a>, who has a draw and a win since taking over.<\/p>\n