Atletico Ottawa season kicks off with Ukraine fundraiser
Ottawa's professional soccer team kicked off its new season with a fundraiser to help the people of Ukraine.
Atletico Ottawa beat Cavalry FC 1-0 at TD Place in the home opener. The club wore a special yellow and blue kit in support of Ukraine, and proceeds from the sale of the jerseys and the "Pay What You Can" admission will support humanitarian assistance.
"Terrible what's going on there," Atletico Ottawa President Jeff Hunt said Saturday afternoon. "At least we can do something symbolic and financially to help Ukraine.
The jerseys will be available for auction until April 17. Proceeds from the jersey sales and the 50/50 draw will support local organizations in support of displaced Ukrainians arriving in Canada, the team says.
Hunt says the club wanted to do something to show support for the people of Ukraine.
“I think everybody in the world, certainly everybody in Ottawa, wants to feel like they can do something symbolic but also very meaningful… the financial needs in Ukraine are tremendous,” Hunt told CFRA Live with Andrew Pinsent on Saturday.
Atletico Ottawa supporter Joseph Huneault said he would be willing to bid "upwards of $200" for the jerseys.
"It's worth it man for a good cause."
More information on the jersey auction can be found on the club’s website.
ATLETICO WINS
Atletico Ottawa kicked off the season with a 1-0 victory over Cavalry FC , in front of an excited crowd of over 5,300 people at TD Place.
"We're here back at TD Place, we're here to see Atletico Ottawa – the best team in the league play," Eddie Benhin said.
"Emotions are off the charts for sure."
Atletico Ottawa debuted in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and wouldn’t play on home turf until August 2021.
Fans enthusiastically made their way to their seats after a long winter away, enjoying the start of the team's first full season at home in the Canadian Premier League.
"Bubble the first season and then a split season, and now you get to spread it out over the whole season, it will be nicer," season ticket holder David Barlow said.
Atletico Ottawa's next home game is April 16 at TD Place. Game time is 1 p.m.
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