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. 

Preview: Orlando City vs. Dayton Dutch Lions

(Courtesy of Orlando City)

By Mike Gramajo

Orlando City SC could go 11 points clear in the USL PRO standings, and set a new club record of 15 matches unbeaten when they visit the Dayton Dutch Lions on Sunday at 3 p.m. (WATCH HERE). 

Orlando and Dayton have yet to meet this season, but last played in a 3-3 draw at Miami Valley (Ohio) on July 2013 which saw OCSC squander their one-goal lead toward the end of the match. 

And while OCSC are riding a 14 match unbeaten streak, within that run the Lions flow a five-game winning streak. Kevin Molino, who leads USL PRO in scoring with nine goals, hasn’t scored in his last three league matches, however, he did score a hat-trick during a 3-1 home victory over the Charlotte Eagles back in May. 

Forward Dennis Chin, who picked up a hamstring injury last month, has since returned to action, playing minimal minutes. Corey Hertzog will more than likely get the nod to start from Adrian Heath after finding his scoring touch after notching two goals in his last three games. 

Although the Dutch Lions aren’t having their best season to date, they do have one of the leagues top scorers in Aaron Schoendeld whose eight goals has him in the fourth spot for the Golden Boot. Dayton currently sit in 13th place in the standings with 11 points, while posting one victory in their last five matches. 

Despite playing last Friday in a 0-0 draw against Brazilian side Sao Paulo FC during an international friendly, Orlando City’s last competitive match resulted into a 5-2 defeat against MLS side Colorado Rapids during U.S. Open Cup play last Tuesday. 

What are some score predictions heading into Orlando’s road game? Comment below with your answers. 

Stay tuned with the OSJ and follow us on Twitter @OSJ_Soccer 

Highlights: Orlando City (0-0) Sao Paulo

Adrian Heath talks Kaka arrival

(Courtesy of Orlando City)

By Mike Gramajo

While much credit can be attributed to owners Flavio Augusto da Silva and Phil Rawlins for luring Brazilian star Ricardo Kaka to Orlando City SC as their first Designated Player, the credit will soon be transported to the man who will be coaching the midfielder. 

That’s Adrian Heath. 

Within the last 48 hours, reports of Kaka signing with Orlando City have coincided with World Cup fever, and Heath for the first time answered questions from reporters about the soon-to-be announced signing. 

“We’re in advanced talks to sign Kaka. We’re all optimistic and really hopeful and probably see a little bit of what it’s like next year,” said Heath. “We’re talking about one of the world’s global names, one the best players in the last 20-30 years. We hope we get it done, we hope this time next year he’s running out in a purple shirt.” 

According to other reports that have surfaced in the last couple days, the former AC Milan ace is expected to go out on loan to Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo FC for the remainder of 2014 to remain fitness. Kaka would eventually join the Lions in January 2015 before the start of MLS preseason camp. 

Sao Paulo, which is Kaka’s boyhood club, ironically played Orlando City on Friday in a scoreless international friendly. 

Orlando City to play entire 2015 inaugural MLS season at renovated Florida Citrus Bowl

FC Dallas loanee Cobi Span getting in rhythm

Photo: OCSC 

By Mike Gramajo

SANFORD, Fla. — One week. That’s all it took. 

One week in which Orlando City’s Cobi Span took to get into rhythm, and his focus is now on breaking into Adrian Heath’s starting XI. 

“That’s a goal,” Span told the OSJ during Saturday’s practice at the Seminole Soccer Complex. “Whenever I get my starting chance I’ll to give it my all and whenever I get into the game, I just want to work hard.” 

The FC Dallas loanee scored the game winner last week during Orlando City’s 1-0 victory over Charleston Battery. That followed by getting recalled to his parent MLS club where he joined their reserve side during inter-league play, which saw Span assist the 1-0 game winner over Oklahoma City Energy FC earlier in the week. 

Span told the OSJ that he should be set to go when Orlando City embarks in a two-game road trip with Toyota Stadium up first when the Lions face off against his home-Dallas side on Tuesday. The Déjà vu for the midfielder will continue when he will meet once again the Energy FC next week, a game he said he feels comfortable going into. 

“All the traveling and all the playing with different teams is mentally draining. I’m trying to get back, and be ready to go on Tuesday,” he said. “I know both teams, so it gives me an advantage and to know what I’m facing. Oklahoma City, I just played against and had an assist, so I know how both teams are.” 

While it isn’t clear if Span’s performance in the past week has influenced Heath’s starting XI, consistency, which is happening now, may play a factor in the starting lineup. 

OCSC head coach Heath wasn’t present during Saturday’s practice since he was in Uruguay scouting talent and watching games via team source. 

Span summoned to FC Dallas Reserves squad

By Mike Gramajo

Orlando City SC midfielder Brian “Cobi” Span has been recalled to FC Dallas’ Reserve squad ahead of Tuesday’s USL Pro inter-league match vs. Oklahoma City Energy FC. 

The on-loan midfielder scored the game winner in last Saturday’s 1-0 victory for Orlando City SC, and received plenty of praise from head coach Adrian Heath after the match, telling reporters that his performance on Saturday made his selection a lot more easier.  

The OSJ reached out to Orlando City team officials, and were told that Span will return to the Central Florida outfit ‘tomorrow’ ahead of their road trip next week at FC Dallas Reserves, which Heath said he feels confident that Span will gear up for the Purple Kits despite Dallas being his parent club.

The Lions currently sit in first place in the USL Pro standings with eight points.

Span’s winner lifts Orlando City to victory

By Mike Gramajo 

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — All it took was a dream debut to prevent a nightmare night. 

Brian Span’s late-game winner proved to be the difference, as Orlando City SC (2-2-0) defeated Charleston Battery 1-0 on Saturday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, in front of 4,826 fans. 

“It would of been a travesty if we hadn’t won the game with the chances we created,” Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath told reporters on the result. “Overall, I’m pleased with the win because I thought we deserved it. I think the stuff we were disappointed last week was the general work ethic, but I thought we were very good at that tonight.” 

Span, who came in as a second-half substitute for midfielder Aodhan Quinn in the 56th minute, found the back of the net after midfielder Adama Mbengue sent in a low cross, which found Span unmarked in the box as he slotted the ball past Charleston Battery goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper in the 74th minute. 

“It felt great, I was really preparing myself for any time my moment was,” Span said on his game-winning goal. “Coach was telling us to get into the box, and he wanted us to get many numbers in the box, and I was in the right place, right time.” 

Heath made three substitution throughout the game, all of which came early in the second half. Dennis Chin and Adama Mbengue entered the match in the 58th minute for Austin da Luz and Corey Hertzog. 

OCSC goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo earned his first clean sheet of the season despite making only one save, with much of the credit paid to Orlando’s back line that stopped the Battery from scoring. 

A strong second-half surge from Orlando proved to pay a huge factor in the victory, outshooting the Battery 8-1 as they finished with a total of 14 shoots for the total tally mark. 

In the first half, possession was evenly shared, but it was the Battery that had the upper hand after they came a lot closer to opening the scoreboard. Charleston outshot Orlando 7-5, much of the action came from the flanks when Battery midfielder Zach Prince tried taking advantage of 17-year old left back Tyler Turner.  

Corey Hertzog nearly came to scoring twice for the Lions before the halftime whistle after Turner found him in a low cross, only for Hertzog to send the ball wide of the post. 

The second chance arrived moments later when the midfielder Austin da Luz found Hertzog in a through ball, leaving Hertzog in a one-on-one scenario with Battery goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper which resulted into the ball being sent high over the cross bar. 

City’s second-consecutive victory will follow with a road trip on Tuesday, April 22, when they take on the FC Dallas Reserves. In the meantime, they sit provisionally atop the USL Pro standings with eight points. 

Photo: OCSC