Orlando City gets thrashed at Colorado Rapids, crash out of U.S. Open Cup

(Photo Courtesy of Colorado Rapids)

By Mike Gramajo 

Deshorn Brown netted a hat-trick, as the Colorado Rapids routed Orlando City SC 5-2 on Tuesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 

Midfielder Adama Mbengue and defender Luke Boden were the only Lions that were able to get on the scoresheet. After Mbengue’s opener gave OCSC the lead in the 22nd minute, Brown equalized the match 10 minutes later. 

The Rapids would go on to score three unanswered goals, two from Brown which solidified his hat-trick, and Nick LaBrocca got on the scoresheet before halftime. 

Boden’s goal in the 71st minute looked to inspire a comeback, but Dillon Powers’ goal in the 74th minute capped the match for the MLS side. 

Orlando City return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday, when they play host to Brazilian powerhouse Sao Paulo FC at 7:30 in an international friendly. 

OCSC go back on the road for USL PRO play the following Sunday when they visit the Dayton Dutch Lions. 

Orlando City surge past Orange County Blues

By Jhamie Chin / OCSC Press Release 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Orlando City SC extended its USL PRO unbeaten streak to 14 matches at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Wednesday night with a 4-1 win over the Orange County Blues, tying the Club’s all-time record for consecutive matches without a loss. After conceding late in the first half, City scored four unanswered goals to move nine points clear of LA Galaxy II at the top of the table.

“In the first half, we gave the ball away far too much in the midfield, and we needed to pick up our quality of play,” said Assistant Coach Ian Fuller after the match. “But the guys performed well in the second half, particularly in midfield and the final third.”

Orlando City and Orange County both had a slow start to the match in the first ten minutes, as the two sides attempted to adjust to the wet conditions, due to the torrential downpour that took place prior to kick-off.

In the 11^th minute, Adama Mbengue nearly opened up the scoring with a low driven effort across the box that skipped just past the far-post. Just one minute later, Mbengue was once again involved when Kevin Molino connected with the Senegalese midfielder for a one-two inside the area, before blasting a powerful left-footed effort towards the near-post. Fortunately for the Blues, Molino, who has been in clinical form so far this season, uncharacteristically missed the frame.

The Trinidadian international missed the Lions’ previous league match, due to being called up by his home country but assimilated back into the team with ease. Molino was involved in almost every City attack in the first half, creating opportunities for not only himself but also his fellow Lions.

In the 13^th minute, Molino weaved through the Orange County defense inside the box and laid the ball off for Corey Hertzog, but the striker’s effort was deflected away by the Orange County defense.

Moments later, in the 25^th minute, Molino created space for himself and blasted a powerful effort from the edge of the area, forcing Goalkeeper Josh Ford to make a nervous save.

However, despite Orlando controlling the run of play, the Orange County Blues managed to provide the first goal of the match in the 39^th minute, after capitalizing on the counter. After a City corner kick, Ford did well to quickly throw the ball to Sean Okoli at the half-line.

With only two City players in the defensive third, the powerful striker ventured on a 40 yard run before rolling the ball into space for Midfielder Jiovanni Santana, who placed his final effort past Gallardo to give the California based side the 1-0 lead.

Nevertheless, Orlando wouldn’t spend much time trailing as Striker Corey Hertzog leveled the score-line in stoppage time. Hertzog’s was able to force his way to the near post and get on the end of a driven cross from Ceren before re-directing it into the back of the net.

Adrian Heath’s half-time rally seemed to provide the spark needed for Lions, as Orlando scored within the first four minutes of the second half when Bryan Burke played a well-placed ball to da Luz, who was unmarked in the box. Da Luz’s header went directly between the goalkeeper’s legs, giving City a well-deserved 2-1 advantage.

In the 54^th minute, da Luz was left unmarked once again but nodded his header wide of the target.

As the half progressed, City continued to put Ford under pressure and fire away at the Blues’ goal, resulting in two additional goals towards the end of the second 45. The two final goals of the match were provided by Brad Rusin, marking his first league goals in purple and white. In the 78^thminute, Mbengue found Rusin on the back-post from a corner, and the imposing defender placed a comfortable header back across the goal.

Less than ten minutes later, Rusin’s found himself in a fortuitous position when Tyler Turner’s header from a corner found Rusin, who had an easy tap in from less than two yards away in the 87^th minute.

City’s efficient attacking play slightly overshadowed the increased intensity on the defensive end, as Miguel Gallardo faced zero shots in the second half.

The 4-1 win moves the Lions unbeaten streak to 14, tying the Club’s all-time record for consecutive matches without a loss. City’s next two matches will take place outside of league play, as the Lions are set to travel to Colorado for its fourth round Open Cup match against MLS side Colorado Rapids on June 17, before returning back to Orlando to face Brazilian super-cub, Sao Paulo F.C. on June 20^th.

Orlando’s next home match will take place against the LA Galaxy II on June 28. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.

Rawlins: Delighted for Austin, I know it’ll be a great success

(Photo courtesy of OCSC)

By Mike Gramajo

ORLANDO, Fla. — There was an ironic twist in the air on Tuesday during Orlando City’s stadium rendering unveiling. 

That was the Aztex making a return to professional soccer. 

The Austin Aztex announced that they will become USL PRO’s 18th club in 2015, leaving the USL Premier Development League where they have currently played since 2012. 

Former Aztex owner, now Orlando City president Phil Rawlins spoke to the OSJ about the return of the Aztex into the professional scene. 

“I’m delighted for Austin, I’m delighted for David Markley (Aztex owner),” Rawlins said. “It’s a great city, and I know it’ll be a great success.” 

Orlando City, who are currently competing in their final USL PRO season, has roots that trace back to Austin, Texas, where the original Austin Aztex played in the USL First Division (2009) and the now defunct, temporary league; USSF D-2 Pro Leaugue (2010). 

Of course the Aztex side would eventually relocate to Orlando, where they are now spearheading into Major League Soccer in 2015. However, there’s no doubt that even when Orlando City departs USL PRO, there will be plenty of Orlando heritage in that league for years to come. 

Louisville City FC, who were announced as another USL PRO expansion side expected to kickoff in 2015, will become OCSC’s MLS affiliate. Moreover, you can now add the Aztex, though not much of OCSC is there, but the grassroots of where the Aztex began, which evidently became Orlando will be forever cemented. 

Highlights: United States (2-1) Nigeria

Highlights: Orlando City (2-1) Montreal

Orlando City cruise past Impact Reserves

By Mike Gramajo

LAKE BUENA VISTA — No Molino, no problem. 

Orlando City continued their winning ways in USL PRO with a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact Reserves on Saturday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in front of 4,612 fans. 

Brian “Cobi” Span scored both goals for OCSC, with his first opening the deadlock in the 11th minute after Luke Boden’s cross found the FC Dallas loanee, who slotted the ball from close range. Span doubled the lead in the 59th minute after dribbling past two Impact defenders and rifling the ball from long range past the goalkeeper. 

“We were nearly very good at everything,” OCSC head coach Adrian Heath told reporters. “When you consider how much play we’ve have, and how much opportunity we’ve had and created, it would of been a travesty if we hadn’t gotten three points.” 

With Orlando City having an early lead, the game reached a standstill in the 30th minute after midfielder Yordany Alvarez collapsed in the middle of the field. The OSJ followed Alvarez into Orlando’s locker room where OCSC Operations Staff told the OSJ that Alvarez suffered a concussion and had an “Irregular heartbeat,” but was considered to be okay and taken to the hospital for examination purposes. 

“We’re a very close-neck group,” said Heath on Alvarez’s exit from the match. “Obviously, they’re very concerned about their teammate. It did have a little affect on us, but we got back to playing our possession football.”

Midfielder Aodhan Quinn substituted in for the injured Alvarez in the 32nd minute. 

OCSC looked poised to score more goals in the second half, firing a series of shots in the final 10 minutes but weren’t able to convert in the final third.  

In a match that had Orlando City missing three formidable starters, much of the play in the final third looked very active for the Lions despite being able to produce two goals.   

Orlando City remain unbeaten in USL PRO, sitting in first place with 33 points and host the Orange County Blues on Wednesday at the ESPN WWOS. 

Mikey Lopez recalled back to Sporting KC, loaned to Energy FC for rest of season

(Photo: SKC)

By Mike Gramajo

After nine games and 169 minutes played, midfielder Mikey Lopez is going back to his parent team Sporting Kansas City. 

SKC announced on Wednesday that the midfielder has been called back to the club from Orlando City, and will be shipped to Oklahoma City Energy for the remainder of the 2014 USL PRO season. 

The move comes after Sporting recalled midfielder Christian Duke from the OKC Energy, leaving the open space for Lopez, who hasn’t seen that much playing time this season.