Sunday, May 12, 2013
TACOMA, Wash. — Behind two goals from Sporting Kansas City loanee and Orlando forward Dom Dwyer, Orlando City SC topped the Seattle Sounders Reserves 2-0 for their third consecutive win on Sunday night at Cheney Stadium. Dwyer scored his league-leading ninth and 10th goals of the year as the Lions won their first ever contest against the Sounders Reserves.
Orlando got on the board early, with Dwyer scoring his ninth goal of the season in the fourth minute to give Orlando the 1-0 advantage. A curling cross in the box from defender Luke Boden found a waiting Dwyer, who converted with a first-time finish after Dennis Chin had flicked the ball on at the near post.
The Lions kept up the pressure in the first half, nearly converting another Dwyer chance in the 34th minute after defender Bryan Burke put in a well-placed cross. The Sporting loanee blasted his half-volley toward the top corner, only for Sounders goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to save well.
The Sounders Reserves team, which included first-teamers Steve Zakuani, John Kennedy Hurtado and first-round draft pick Eriq Zavaleta, kept fighting as the second half began. Despite the added pressure from the Sounders, it was again Dwyer who capitalized for the 2-0 advantage.
Chin created the opportunity in the 53rd minute, maneuvring past the Sounders backline and drawing attention away from the English native. Chin’s pass slid in front of Dwyer, who blasted his attempt into the top corner past Hahnemann for the two-goal lead. Dwyer’s goal marked his seventh in the last three games.
Orlando Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo made his first start of the season for the Lions after being sidelined late in the preseason due to a knee injury. The 2011 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year came up strong in crucial parts of the game, making two saves for his first, and the team’s second, shutout of the regular season.
Orlando continues on the road with back-to-back matches against the Harrisburg City Islanders and Rochester Rhinos on Friday and Saturday night. The Lions have yet to face the Islanders in 2013, holding a 4-0-0 record all-time vs. the Pennsylvania-based club. Orlando topped Rochester 3-1 at home on April 14, with three different players scoring in the win.
The team will enter the U.S. Open Cup in the second round on Tuesday, May 21, either visiting the Ocala Stampede (PDL) or Red Force (USASA). The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States and is open to United States Soccer Federation (USSF) affiliated teams. For more information on the upcoming regular-season matches and U.S. Open Cup games, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.