ORLANDO, Fla. (April 3, 2017) – Following its 2017 United Soccer League (USL) home opener, Orlando City B (0-0-2, 0 points) hosts Toronto FC II (1-0-1, 3 points) on Tuesday, April 4, in the second match of a three-game homestand. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Orlando City Stadium.
Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. The match will be streamed online at www.OrlandoCitySC.com/LIVE.
“[Toronto FC II] certainly have some very good attacking players. We watched the last two games, they played at Phoenix where they had five or six MLS guys with them and they performed really well that night,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “We need to be at our best if we’re going to cause them some problems. ”
Tuesday marks the third all-time meeting between the two teams. The teams split last year’s series with the Lions winning at Titan Soccer Complex on Aug. 6, 2016. Veteran midfielder Lewis Neal broke the deadlock in the 57th minute after forward Michael Cox surged down the right flank before delivering a through ball across the six-yard box for Neal to finish off. After a strong defensive display, it looked as if the visiting side stole a point in the 90th minute when Mitchell Taintor equalized with a diving header, but Cox capped off an impressive evening with a goal seconds later when he turned inside the box and fired home the dagger in stoppage time.
OCB is coming off of a tough match in its home opener against Louisville City. In front of 2,741 fans, an OCB home game record attendance, goalkeeper Earl Edwards, Jr. led the way once again with five saves. However, the San Diego, Calif., native could do nothing about Cameron Lancaster’s strike from distance in the 11th minute. The Lions responded with a goal of their own in the 42nd minute when newly acquired midfielder Austin Martz’s cross deflected off of a Louisville defender and in. Louisville City replied with two second half goals as the Lions fell 3-1.
Four players made their OCB debuts against Louisville City, including Léo Pereira, Ben Polk, and U.S. youth internationals Joe Gallardo and Ryley Kraft. In addition to Edwards, Jr., the match also featured Kevin Alston, Conor Donovan and Pierre Da Silva from the First Team.
Toronto FC II is coming off of a 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Defender Damion Lowe opened the floodgates with his header before Georgi Hristov and Joe Cole added to an impressive first half for the Rowdies. Toronto FC II is led by returning starters captain Brian James and midfielder Liam Fraser.
The Lions close out the homestand against the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, April 8. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Lions then begin a three-game road trip against New York Red Bulls II on Friday, April 14.
