Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
DELAND, Fla. -- Orlando City extended its preseason winning streak to three by defeating Stetson University 5-3 on Tuesday night. City is now 5-2 for the preseason.
Ian Fuller got the Lions scoring started just six minutes into the match. With the ball near the top of the box, Fuller made a run to the left post. Dennis Chin stepped up for the give-and-go, but performed a feint, fooling the Stetson defense. Fuller continued his run into now-open space, and slotted a shot past the stunned keeper.
City continued their early domination when Devorn Jorsling took a pass from Yordany Alvarez and performed his trademark cut-back, faking left, freezing, and the putting the ball on his right foot for a quick strike and a 2-0 lead. Stetson hit back quickly, though, taking advantage of the ambitious City defenders and slotting home a breakaway opportunity to halve the deficit.
The scoring continued when Dennis Chin held the ball up in the penalty area. He released Alvarez for a surprise shot from the top of the box and a 3-1 lead. But again the Hatters responded quickly, taking advantage when Ian Fuller miss-hit a pass, springing a Stetson attacker into a 1-on-1 with keeper Sean Kelley. Kelley dove for the shot, but the ball went underneath him to bring the deficit back to one. The half ended at 3-2.
The second half started slow for both teams. The effects of fatigue were becoming evident as City was playing its second match in three days. The match received a spark when Max Griffin got on the end of a Mechack Jerome cross. His header appeared be a flick-on pass, but the initial cross had enough speed that Griffin’s quick redirect was all that was needed to give City back its two-goal lead.
In the 68th minute, Stetson made another counter-attack, leading to a breakaway. Miguel Gallardo came off his line to cut off the shot angle, but mistimed his dive and took out the Stetson attacker. A penalty was given, as was a yellow card to Gallardo. Stetson converted, bringing the score to 4-3.
Not content with a one-goal victory, the Lions pressed on. Jamie Watson, seeing his first action since dislocating his shoulder against Toronto FC last month, took a pass from Lewis Neal and coolly slotted home City’s fifth goal of the match, equaling their output from their last preseason outing against the University of Central Florida. Watson concluded his celebration by dancing with supporters who were standing behind the Stetson goal.
Heath’s squad continued to push on for another goal, and nearly got it. Both Jack Traynor and Max Griffin hit shots from long range that missed the woodwork by mere inches. The final City chance came when Watson made a run into the penalty area, only to be pulled down by his defender during the shot attempt. The shot was saved, and no penalty was given. The final whistle blew before Watson could make any substantial argument to the center official.
After the match, Head Coach Adrian Heath praised Stetson for their ability to keep the game close.
“I think they did well tonight, Stetson," Heath said. "I always thought we would win the game, and we were a little bit wasteful of the chances we had, but Stetson was very dangerous on their counter-attack. There were one or two players who were very good.”
Heath also acknowledged the team is dealing with a bit of fatigue due to playing two matches in three days, and its third in a week. Heath also spoke of the team getting players back from injury.
“(Watson) is coming back from his injury and looks like he’s got no further problems," Heath said. "I’m well pleased that he’s come through tonight. We were also happy to see Erik Ustruck return. He’d been out for a long time and was rusty, but overall it was a good night for the players coming back from injury.”
After a much deserved day off, City resumes the final phase of training camp on Thursday. They play their final preseason match on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Tampa at the University of South Florida.