Orlando City cruise past LA Galaxy II

By Mike Gramajo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Hertzog scores twice and Orlando City witness a Sweet 16 unbeaten streak come alive.  

Corey Hertzog bagged a brace while Kevin Molino sealed the deal, as Orlando City SC clinched a 3-0 victory over visiting LA Galaxy II on Saturday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in front of 5,029 fans. 

“We’ve been a working progress, and it’s getting better,” OCSC head coach Adrian Heath said. “We try to impose our style of play to our opposition. Overall, we were a good value to the scoreline and it should of been more.”

Luke Boden helped set up the opening goal in the 17th minute, finding Hertzog who slotted in a cross past Los Dos goalkeeper Cody Laurendi. The former NY Red Bull forward secured his brace before halftime after Kevin Molino found him unmarked from close range to double the lead. 

“The first goal was all Bodz (Luke Boden), so all credit to him,” said Hertzog. “Goals bring confidence and you’re a different player when you have a lot of confidence.” 

Molino, who went on to score his league-leading 11th goal, capped the match in the 60th minute after Brian Span’s shot deflected off the post, finding the Trinidad and Tobago international who buried the dead ball into the net. 

Orlando City go back on the road, visiting the Wilmington Hammerheads on Thursday. OCSC will then travel to St. Petersburg to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second leg of the I-4 Derby on Sunday. 

Lions drain Battery, Hertzog bags first goal

By Mike Gramajo

LAKE BUENA VISTA — There’s a first time for everything and for Corey Hertzog, that’s his first league goal for the Purple Kits to continue their winning ways. 

Orlando City SC defeated Charleston Battery 2-0 on Saturday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, in front of 4,987 fans to remain unbeaten in USL PRO play. 

Hertzog converted his first goal in league play in the 42nd minute after Odisnel Cooper’s clearance found Kevin Molino who headed the ball back into the box, finding Hertzog to head the ball from close range for 1-0 lead. 

Molino capped the match in the 75th minute when Ausin da Luz executed on a Battery mistake, finding the Trinidad & Tobago international to tuck the ball behind the keeper. 

OCSC remain in first place in the league standings and finish with a 7-1-1 record in the month of May, with their only loss occurring against AS Roma during an international friendly. 

Heath confirmed with reporters that Kevin Molino (Trinidad & Tobago), Darwin Ceren (El Salvador) and Tommy Redding (United States U18) will ship out on Sunday for international duty. They will miss out on Orlando’s next league match on June 7 vs. Montreal Impact Reserves.