Sunday, May 18, 2013
SANFORD, Fla. — The Orlando City U23s defeated IMG Academy Bradenton 3-1 in their home opener on Sunday night at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. The Lions were led by forward Tyler Blackwood, who scored twice to help lead the squad to their first victory of the 2013 campaign.
“I’m pleased to win the game but we can do a lot better,” said Head Coach Paul Shaw after the match. “Overall I’m satisfied with the three points but there’s a lot of our game that needs to improve if we want to be successful on a weekly basis.”
The Lions got on the board in the 23rd minute when Blackwood skipped past the IMG defense and fired a shot on target, forcing IMG goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton to parry the ball out for a corner. Nicolas Russo then whipped the ball into the six-yard box, finding Kyle Fisher who nodded the ball into the far corner, putting the Lions up 1-0.
After going up 1-0 early in the match, Orlando gained confidence and spent more time on the ball. However despite controlling much of the play, IMG would break through the Lions' defense in the 42nd minute. Defender Joseph Toby got in behind the defense and was awarded a penalty after Daniel Barboto dragged him down in the box. IMG's Luis Calzadilla took the penalty and had his initial attempt saved by Gomez, but was able to head the rebound into the back of the net.
The Lions would respond quickly and converted from another corner just before the end of the first half. In the 43rd minute, Tom Skelly played a ball into the penalty area, which found Blackwood after a series of deflections. Blackwood took advantage of the opportunity and calmly tucked the ball away, giving the Lions a 2-1 edge at the break.
The second half began with a similar flow to the first 45 minutes. Orlando dominated possession on the ball and would eventually break through the IMG defense, scoring their third goal of the match. In the 82nd minute, Itode Fubara found Paul Clowes free on the left hand side of the pitch, who swung a ball into the six-yard box. Blackwood aggressively attacked the area and nodded the ball in to the back of the net, scoring his second goal of the match.
Orlando now turns its attention to VSI Tampa Bay FC, which is scheduled to square up against the U23s on Wednesday night at Seminole Soccer Complex. The match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the gate for $8.
For more information, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com.