Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City 1 0 1
Los Angeles Blues 1 0 1
Scoring Summary:
OC – Wes Allen 2 (Anthony Pulis 2) 22
LA - Bright Dike 2 (Carlos Borja 1) 25
Misconduct Summary:
LA - Bright Dike (Caution, Unsporting behavior) 52
LA - Allan Russell (Caution, Professional Foul) 75
Lineups:
Orlando City – Miguel Gallardo, Kieron Bernard, Erik Ustruck, Luke Boden, Wes Allen, Anthony Pulis, James O’Connor (Ian Fuller 85), Kevin Molino, Charlie Campbell, Jamie Watson (Max Griffin 63), Dennis Chin (Matt Luzunaris 63)
Substitutes not used: Sean Kelley, Jerome Mechack, Kyle Davies, John Rooney
LA Blues – Amir Abedzadeh, Erlys Garcia, Ebrima Jatta, Sun-Hyung Cho (Israel Sesay 89), Bryan Burke, Allan Russell (Cory Miller 81), Ricky Waddell (Cheun-Yong Park 62), George Davis, Carlos Borja, Bright Dike, Maykel Galindo (Ladi Bushiri 65)
Substitutes not used: Jose Miranda, Irving Garcia, Shay Spitz
Referees:
Referee – Jonathan Weiner
Referee’s Assistants – Mark Cohen, Carlos Morel,
Fourth Official - Taner Tekin
Match Facts:
Time of Game – 7:30 p.m.
Weather – Clear, 88 degrees
Attendance – 7,231
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Soccer Club battled to a 1-1 draw against the Los Angeles Blues Thursday night at the Florida Citrus Bowl in front of a rowdy 7,231 fans. Orlando remains undefeated in 2012 as they turn their attention to the next regular season match against the Charlotte Eagles this Saturday.
“I thought that our final ball needed a lot of work,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We have to score the goals when we’re presented the opportunity.”
The Lions (6-0-2) struck first in the 22nd minute with the help of the head of Wes Allen. Anthony Pulis attempted a corner after it was cleared out by LA (3-2-2) defender Erlys Garcia. On the ensuing corner attempt, Pulis found Allen right in the middle of the scrum to put Orlando up 1-0. The goal and assist were Allen and Pulis’ second of the season, respectfully.
It didn’t take very long for the Blues to respond. Bright Dike, on loan from Portland Timbers in MLS, scored the equalizer for LA in the 25th minute. Dike traveled over 3,000 miles last night from the Timbers international friendly with Valencia to start the match against Orlando. In the 25th minute, the forward got behind the Orlando back line and blasted in a snap header in the right-hand corner of the goal for LA’s first of the match.
The second half was very much a defensive struggle. Both clubs earned opportunities to score but came up short, mainly due to the play of goalkeepers Miguel Gallardo and Amir Abedzadeh.
Orlando, in an effort to change the pace of the match, substituted in Max Griffin and Matt Luzunaris, bringing in more experience for the club. The Blues responded well to the changes, not allowing the fresh forwards a true opportunity on goal.
A late scare happened in the 80th minute, when LA midfielder Carlos Borja rocketed a shot at the crossbar, barely missing the top of the net and ricocheting out of play. The match ended soon after with defense controlling play the final ten minutes.
There’s little turnaround for Orlando as the Lions face the Charlotte Eagles this Saturday, May 26, at the Florida Citrus Bowl in USL PRO regular season play. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m. The two clubs met earlier in the season, with Orlando taking the 2-0 victory over Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. For more information, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com.
