Atletico Ottawa secures first place with a game to go and CPL playoffs in sight

You read it here first Ottawa: a local pro football team that plays at TD Place stadium has finished first in its league and is going to the playoffs. No, it isn't the Redblacks, it's Atletico Ottawa.

And, yes, a lot of its diehard fans still call it football, not soccer.

On any given night or afternoon when Atletico Ottawa is playing an away game, you can count on those diehard soccer supporters packing the Glebe Central Pub on Bank Street to watch their local Canadian Premier League team in action.

Attendance continues to climb for the young team, due in part to the work of the Capital City Supporters Group. Their march down Bank Street from the pub to the stadium ahead of home games is getting bigger and louder with each game. And tomorrow's regular season finale will be extra sweet.

"People have responded with immense positivity and enthusiasm with what we have been able to create," said Daniel Duff, president and founder of the group.

"We have a clear vision of what it will take to sew soccer into the fabric of the sporting landscape here in Ottawa. We have a lot of work to do. But we aren't afraid to do it, and that's been the biggest change in my opinion."

The team clinched the CPL's regular season crown on Saturday, when second place Pacific FC lost its game to Cavalry FC. As a result, this afternoon's game at TD Place becomes something of a formality ahead of its first ever playoff game set for Oct. 23 at TD Place stadium. The first place finish has the added benefit of home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

"We will celebrate the good moments when they come. This weekend is one of those very moments. It's been an incredible season," said Duff.