Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Sunday, March 20, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City started off strong and finished even stronger as they dominated the University of Central Florida 5-1 at the UCF Soccer and Track complex on Sunday afternoon.
Max Griffin got the Lions going early, jumping on a deflected Luke Boden shot and slamming the ball home before the UCF defense had a chance to react. City looked to have a rout going early on, but either could not find the final pass or could not keep their shots below the crossbar.
UCF took advantage of City's lack of finishing on a counter-attack, with a cross finding an open UCF player in the box for the equalizer, deflecting in off the underside of the crossbar. At the halftime whistle, the match was still knotted at 1-1.
The second half started much the same as the first with plenty of Orlando City chances going high and wide. The game turned when Orlando City's Yordany Alvarez was shown a staight red card for sliding challenge and City played down a man for the remainder of the match, but the card appeared to refocus the Lions. City's attacks had more pace, and finally paid off when Griffin made a run through the penalty area looking to find a shot. He was brought down near the penalty spot, giving the Lions the chance they were looking for, and Devorn Jorsling converted the penalty to put the Lions up 2-1.
With the lead in hand, City began to push harder, taking advantage of the tired UCF legs. Dennis Chin, subbed on for Jorsling after the second goal, opened his City account after a Griffin run and low cross to put the Lions up 3-1. Shortly after Lewis Neal duplicated Chin's combination play with Griffin to make the lead 4-1. City continued to press, with Neal finding space at the top of the box for a curling strike that hit the far post, but bounced in for Neal's second of the match and fifth this preseason.
In all, City went from a 1-1 draw and being down a man to being up 5-1 in the span of 15 minutes. The stunning offensive display puts the Lions at 4-2 for the preseason. They travel to Deland for a match against the Stetson Hatters on Tuesday.