Sunday, May 13, 2012
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua -- Orlando City earned a 2-1 comeback victory against Antigua Barracuda FC on Sunday night at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium as Max Griffin and Wes Allen each found the back of the net. The win was the Lions' second on their trip to the Caribbean, and allowed them to remain undefeated this season and return to the top of the USL PRO standings.
Antigua took the lead in the 20th minute as Stefan Smith was brought down in the penalty area by Keiron Bernard, giving the Barracudas a penalty kick. Quinton Griffith slotted his shot home into the left corner of the net. Antigua's lead was short-lived, however, as the Lions equalized just six minutes later as Griffin latched onto John Rooney's through-ball into the right side of the penalty area and shot home into the left corner of the net.
Orlando had the better of the play from that point on, pressing forward repeatedly heading into the halftime break. The Lions continued to press to start the second half, and Allen scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 49th minute, rising to head home Anthony Pulis’ corner kick.
Though the Lions took the lead for good early in the half, they never took their foot off the gas. Kevin Molino added a spark to the lineup, coming on in the 62nd minute. Molino regularly found space near the top of the box, and nearly struck gold in the 72nd minute. His shot was deflected, but fell just wide of the post. Both Dennis Chin and Jamie Watson had goals called off for offside and a foul respectively.
Antigua had a late chance to find an equalizer, Griffith's diving header from 12 yards out flashing wide of the left post. But while the Barracudas pressed in stoppage time with Tamarley Thomas' long throw-ins causing some difficulties in the Lions' penalty area, Orlando was able to hold on to take all three points.
Orlando gets a chance to rest this week, with the team having a rare weekend off. The break comes at the perfect time as City faces the potential for four games in eight days starting Tuesday, May 22, when the Lions open Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play against either the PDL's Real Colorado Foxes or USASA's K.C. Athletics. The match will be played at the Seminole Soccer Complex. A win would advance the Lions to the third round on May 29, where City would face a team from Major League Soccer.
Antigua also had a break before their next contest as the club's players begin their preparations to represent the Antigua and Barbuda National Team in their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, which open in Tampa, Fla. on Friday, June 8 against the United States. The Barracudas next play in USL PRO on Thursday, June 15 against the Charleston Battery.
The next USL PRO contest for the Lions is on Thursday, May 24 as the Los Angeles Blues make their first trip to Orlando for the match. The Thursday match is also Military Night, featuring a swearing-in ceremony of recruits from all five branches of the U.S. military at halftime. Tickets for the match start at just $15 are available by calling 855-ORL-CITY or by visiting www.orlandocitysoccer.com.