TD Place’s Winning Weekend: Why I’m Claiming Credit for Ottawa’s Success

Over the course of the weekend, I had the opportunity to take in all three professional sports teams that call TD Place home: the Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League, Atlético Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League, and the Ottawa Rapid of the Northern Super League.

Every team had a shining moment, and I’m more than happy to claim the glory. From October 16 to 18, I was TD Place’s unofficial good-luck charm.

Exhibit A: The Ottawa REDBLACKS

Going into Friday night’s game, the Ottawa REDBLACKS had yet to win a game all season, sitting at 0–16. With no chance of making the playoffs, the team had just one thing left to play for in its final two games: avoiding a winless season.

Putting aside complicated feelings toward the REDBLACKS and the CFL (I was a season ticket holder from 2014 through 2024), I decided to attend the team’s final home game of the season. It certainly didn’t hurt that the REDBLACKS were giving away free tickets.

On paper, the game against the Toronto Argonauts seemed relatively meaningless. Toronto had already clinched a playoff spot, and the result wouldn’t affect its postseason positioning. The Argonauts even opted to rest some of their starters.

For Ottawa, however, this game meant everything. It was the team’s final home game of the season, and the fans who braved a cold Ottawa night were hoping to see that dreaded zero disappear from the win column.

The game itself was surprisingly entertaining. Even if you didn’t know the backstory of Ottawa’s struggles, you would have been treated to a competitive, back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading the lead.

Then, with just 33 seconds remaining, Toronto scored what appeared to be the game-winning touchdown. The sense of despair was palpable. An 0–17 record was looming, and Ottawa’s hopes of avoiding a winless season seemed all but gone.

Well, not so fast.

What the Argonauts didn’t account for was the presence of the TD Place unofficial ambassador of good fortune.

Making his first career start for the REDBLACKS (WHY THE HECK DID IT TAKE SO LONG?), quarterback Bryson Barnes led Ottawa down the field. With just 12 seconds remaining, Barnes connected with Ayden Eberhardt on a 24-yard touchdown pass, sending TD Place into an absolute frenzy and securing Ottawa’s first win of the season.

No, one victory doesn’t erase the problems plaguing the REDBLACKS. No, it doesn’t change how disappointing their season has been. But what a fantastic display of effort and perseverance, given that the team could easily have thrown in the towel.

And I was there to witness it. Coincidence? I think not.

Exhibit B: Atlético Ottawa

Saturday afternoon, I was back at TD Place for another somewhat meaningless game, with all due respect to the teams involved.

Atlético Ottawa was hosting Forge FC, one of its biggest rivals. The Hamilton-based side needed the win, while the result would have no bearing on Atlético’s season.

Of course, Atlético wanted to win. These are professional athletes, after all. But they didn’t need to win.

So how, exactly, was I the TD Place Good Luck Charm if Atlético lost?

Good question.

The answer: Gabi Antinoro.

Atlético was trailing 2–0, and things got worse when Diego Gutiérrez received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving his team to play with 10 men.

I turned to my friend and said, “They need Antinoro.”

Atlético head coach Gustavo Leal must somehow be connected to me, because just a few moments later, Antinoro took the field.

I stood up, applauded, and made sure anyone within earshot heard my declaration:

“They are in trouble now!”

Antinoro did what Antinoro does best: he injected some life into Atlético’s attack. The Forge defence struggled to contain him, eventually bringing him down in the penalty area.

Antinoro stepped up and calmly converted the penalty.

I wish I could predict Lotto Max numbers as well as I can predict how effective Gabi Antinoro is coming off the bench.

Unfortunately, the game ended in defeat for Atlético, so I can’t claim a perfect record for the weekend. But I maintain that my presence made a difference.

Exhibit C: The Ottawa Rapid

Sunday afternoon, I took in my very first Ottawa Rapid game.

Much like an Atlético match, the crowd was smaller, but the people in attendance were completely locked in. There’s something special about an atmosphere where everyone seems invested in every moment of the action.

The atmosphere was fantastic for footb—sorry, soccer.

Now in its second season, the Northern Super League has clearly connected with its fans. One of them, a charming woman named Joanne, sat beside my friend and me and brought us up to speed on the Rapid’s history against their opponents, the reigning champions, Vancouver Rise FC.

It wasn’t an encouraging history.

Vancouver had eliminated Ottawa from last year’s playoffs, and the previous two meetings between the sides had produced a combined score of 9–1 in favour of the Rise.

Things looked bleak almost immediately on Sunday. Vancouver scored twice within a minute, taking a 2–0 lead by the 17th minute.

So long, Rapid?

Not so fast.

The TD Place unofficial mascot for success was in position and ready to work his magic. Ottawa fed off the positivity, and Delaney Baie Pridham pulled one back in the 27th minute. The Rapid headed into halftime trailing by just a goal, and suddenly the game felt much more interesting.

I don’t know what head coach Katrine Pedersen said to her players in the dressing room, but whatever it was, it worked.

Florence Belzile equalized in the 53rd minute before scoring again in the 68th to give Ottawa the lead. The Rapid weren’t finished, either. Elise Bell added another in the 87th minute, and Pridham scored in the 92nd to complete her brace.

Final score: Ottawa Rapid 5, Vancouver Rise FC 2.

Let that sink in for a moment.

A team that had struggled against Vancouver, including a playoff elimination, had just overturned a two-goal deficit to win by three.

Ottawa’s defence became an impenetrable wall, while the Rapid capitalized on Vancouver’s mistakes and began finding the back of the net with remarkable regularity.

The team that had seemed to have Ottawa’s number was suddenly no match for the TD Place Good Luck Charm.

You’re welcome, Ottawa.

The Verdict

Could these three teams have accomplished what they did without me?

Maybe.

But this weekend, they didn’t have to.

Okay, okay. Perhaps their performances had nothing to do with my presence. I’ll reluctantly acknowledge that possibility.

Jokes aside, this weekend was a wonderful reminder of just how entertaining Ottawa’s professional sports scene can be. Three teams, three very different experiences, and plenty of reasons to get out and support the athletes representing our city.

The REDBLACKS gave their fans a long-awaited victory. Atlético Ottawa provided a reminder of the impact one player can have when he comes off the bench. And the Ottawa Rapid delivered a spectacular comeback against the reigning champions.

With two of these three teams heading into the playoffs, now is the time to get out to TD Place, experience the atmosphere for yourself, and show these teams the support they deserve.

As for me?

The TD Place Good Luck Charm will be there.

And I sincerely hope you will be, too.

Photos: Header image by Tim Austen, Freestyle Photography. All other images by Keith Whittier.