Orlando City’s match against New York City FC in the Carolina Challenge Cup wasn’t the only City fixture taking place in Charleston this past weekend, as both the U-16 and U-18 Orlando City Academy teams were also in action against the South Carolina Battery Academy on Sunday.
In the opening match of the day, the U-18s produced a convincing 4-1 win over the South Carolina-based side. After going down 1-0 early in the first half, Jaiden Fortune kick-started Orlando’s comeback, finding the back of the net in the closing moments of the opening 45. With momentum in City’s favor, Benjamin Michel notched a brace in the second half, scoring in the 50th and 70th minutes.
Two minutes later, Carlos Cuevas provided the final goal of the game, propelling City to a 4-1 victory.
The U-18s will resume league play on Saturday, February 28, taking on Capital Area RailHawks Academy at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kick-off is set for 11:00 a.m.
Following the U-18s’ win, City’s U-16 side battled South Carolina United in a hard-fought contest, ending in a 1-1 draw.
Orlando moved ahead first in the match, with Alejandro Pereira scoring in the 23rd minute. The young Lions held on to their narrow lead for nearly 60 minutes until Robert Robinson equalizing in dramatic fashion in the 80th minute.
With the draw, the U-16s remain in first place in the Eastern Conference, boasting a 13-2-3 record. The Lions’ next match will take place on Saturday, February 28, against the RailHawks Academy.
