Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Saturday, February 22, 2014
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Orlando City SC earned a 1-1 draw with Major League Soccer side Toronto F.C. on Saturday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Lions' second contest at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic. After conceding an early penalty kick, the Lions equalized late on to continue their undefeated streak against MLS sides so far at the preseason tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“I thought that we were the better side after the first 15-20 minutes,” said Lions coach Adrian Heath. “On a different night, if we take half of our chances, then we would’ve won the game comfortably. Our passing was a bit sloppy in the first half, but I think we began dictating things as we got into a rhythm.”
For their second Pro Soccer Classic match, Toronto and Orlando played in a regular-season atmosphere as the City supporter groups packed the stands behind the goal and sang continuously for 90 minutes.
Despite the fact that star players such as Julio Cesar and Michael Bradley were not included in the starting line-up, the Canadian side looked sharp in the opening 15 minutes. Toronto displayed its attacking prowess through near-chances that had the City fans in attendance on the edge of their seats. For the majority of those attacks, the Orlando backline did well to clear the danger away as Brad Rusin and Rob Valentino maintained the solid partnership that has been slowly forming through only three games together.
Things would take a turn for the worse for Orlando in the 13th minute when the Lions conceded a penalty for a foul away from the ball inside the penalty area. Toronto midfielder Kyle Bekker stepped up and slotted home his penalty kick into the left corner to give Toronto a 1-0 lead from 12 yards away. Shortly afterwards, the Reds would create another near-chance, but goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo made a quality save to continue his strong start to the preaseason and keep the score 1-0.
After the close chance for Toronto, City would begin stringing passes together, and attacking midfielder Darwin Ceren created a dangerous chance that went just over the crossbar. Ceren and Kevin Molino switched positions from the previous match against the Union, as Molino moved over to the right and Ceren started in the hole.
After a slow start, Molino would also become increasingly active in the final third, leading to a few more quality opportunities from Orlando. In an effort to get more involved, the Trinidad & Tobago international began drifting inside and coordinated two powerful efforts that forced Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik into a pair of good saves.
Molino’s presence in the center of the park would also lead to chances for his fellow attackers as the midfielder gifted recently-added forward Corey Hertzog a golden opportunity in the 31st minute that saw the former Vancouver Whitecap shoot over the bar.
“I thought [Kevin] Molino and [Darwin] Ceren were the best two players on the field for both teams tonight, so that bodes well for the future,” said Heath.
For the remainder of the first half, both sides would continue to work out the preseason blues as the two clubs struggled to maintain continuous possession. Toronto attempted to remedy that with the introduction of U.S. Men’s National Team player and former A.S. Roma midfielder, Michael Bradley, but it was Orlando which kicked off the second half in much better fashion when the local club created their best opportunity of the night in the 48th minute. After a multitude of deflections, Molino found himself in a fortuitous position when the ball landed at his feet in the six-yard area, only for the midfielder’s strike to be a bit too casual, allowing Bendik was able to make a brilliant foot-save.
Local player Dennis Chin made an immediate impact upon entering the match against Philadelphia and would do so again against the Reds. In the 51st minute, the speedy striker drove past the Toronto defense and had good look at the goal but was unable to slot his effort by Bendik.
Two minutes later, Chin would get in behind once again, combine with Hertzog inside the area, but Hertzog's final ball was hit a bit too long for any of the Orlando attacking players.
City were the more dominant side, in terms of possession, throughout the second half, but Toronto was extremely organized defensively. Not needing to go forward in search of another goal, the Reds held solid defensive lines as City continued to work the ball around the pitch with hopes of finding an opening.
In the 75th minute, that elusive opening would finally present itself when Molino was able to slip Chin in behind the Toronto defense. Chin only had the goalkeeper to beat but pulled his effort just wide of the far post.
Shortly afterwards, Heath brought on trial player Dan Jackson to provide more attacking firepower for Orlando. The striker would do just that as he, Molino and Chin forced Toronto to make numerous last-ditch clearances in the final 10 minutes.
In the 88th minute, Jackson’s contribution would finally pay dividends when the forward’s curling effort was deflected for a corner. Da Luz’s ensuing delivery was whipped in to the back post and trial player Mark Howard was on hand to nod it into the back of the net, earning the Lions a 1-1 draw.
Orlando City’s next match will take place on Wednesday, February 26, against Columbus Crew. Kick-off is set for 6:00 p.m. and tickets for the match start at just $20.
For more information, visit www.orlandocitysc.com