Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Friday, February 21, 2014
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando City SC is set to play its second match of the Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic on Saturday night against Toronto F.C. of Major League Soccer at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. After producing a 1-1 draw in their opening match against the Philadelphia Union, Orlando will look to gain three points against a tough Toronto side that has made multiple key acquisitions during the offseason. Kick-off is set for 8 p.m.
“Right now, our aim is to concentrate on ourselves and build on what we’ve been working on,” said Assistant Coach Ian Fuller. “Toronto will certainly be a tough test, especially with all of the moves that they’ve made in the off-season, but we’re looking forward to it.”
After suffering defeat in two preseason friendly matches to MLS sides Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact, City looked slightly closer to regular-season form in their opening Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic match. The club’s three MLS signings, Kevin Molino, Darwin Ceren and Yordany Alvarez, were a more cohesive unit as they controlled the tempo for the majority of the match, and new signing Austin Da Luz was equally threatening.
Another encouraging sign for Orlando fans was a goal from newly added striker, Corey Hertzog. The former Vancouver Whitecaps forward displayed good link-up play with Heath’s new group of midfielders, and was rewarded in the 31st minute when he scored his first goal in purple and white.
The build-up for Hertzog’s goal was a bit more direct than the usual Orlando City possession-oriented style of play, but allowed the striker to show his finishing prowess as he calmly lobbed the ball over the charging Union goalkeeper.
Following a 3-1 loss to Columbus Crew in their opening Pro Soccer Classic match, Toronto will also be keen to gain three points as they look to gain momentum heading into the 2014 MLS season.
After a difficult 2013 campaign (6-17-11), the Canadian based side has coordinated a myriad of signings during the off-season, including England international Jermain Defoe, former AS Roma player and U.S. Men’s National Team member Michael Bradley, and Brazilian international Julio Cesar.
All three players have 214 combined caps for their respective national teams, providing experience and quality to a side that finished second-to-last in the MLS Eastern Conference in the 2013 season. Both Bradley and Cesar will be active for Toronto throughout the Pro Soccer Classic, but Defoe is not set to join the club until the end of the month.
Orlando and Toronto have played each other in the past three Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classics and share an equal amount of wins, losses and draws (1-1-1).
The match against Toronto will not be streamed and admission starts at $20. The address of the complex is 700 S Victory Way, Kissimmee, FL 34747.