Orlando City SC News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- In the first match of the 2014 I-4 Derby, Orlando City SC secured a 3-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The victory against the Rowdies on Wednesday night continues the Lions’ undefeated run (4-0-0) against Tampa, dating back to 2013.
“Anything that’s important enough for our supporters is important enough for me and it should be for our players,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath after the 3-0 victory. “I’m happy for the fans that we got the win in the end, but I still thought that there was a lack of desire on our part.”
Since Orlando City’s arrival to Florida in 2011, an intense rivalry has been formed between the two clubs’ supporter groups, eventually leading to both sides agreeing to a home and away derby in 2013.
The Lions got the better of Tampa last season as Orlando claimed 3-2 victories both at the Citrus Bowl and at Al Lang Stadium. This year’s home match, however, proved to be a more difficult test as Tampa is closer to regular season form, with the Rowdies already having played three regular-season games.
Midfielder Brian Span and forward Dennis Chin were catalysts for the initial two chances created by the Lions in the first 10 minutes, but the majority of Orlando’s opportunities later in the first half came from the left side.
The quality chances began prior to the 20-minute mark, with left back Luke Boden providing the Lions’ first clear-cut chance of the match. In the 18th minute, Adama Mbengue found the Englishman all alone inside the Rowdies’ area, and the left back’s effort looked destined to find the back of the net but ricocheted off the post instead, keeping the score level.
Tampa Bay also had a few solid chances in the first 45 and the visitors came close to moving ahead in the 24th minute when Lucky Mkosana’s effort bounced off both posts before being collected by Gallardo.
“The first half could’ve easily been 4-4 because none of our players wanted to do the dirty work,” added Heath. “None of our players wanted to get back and make the tackle that was needed, and I won’t stand for that.”
Nevertheless, the Lions regained composure and found the back of the net roughly three minutes later via Mbengue. After collecting a pass inside the area from Span, Mbengue employed a bit of trickery to create space for himself before firing the ball into the back of the net past Rowdies’ Goalkeeper Ryan Thompson.
Span was also involved for City’s second goal of the half, but this time created an opportunity for his fellow teammate through his initial strike on target. Span skipped past his defender and forced Thompson to parry the ball into Chin’s path, who calmly dinked it over the ‘keeper.
City’s second-half play featured less of an emphasis on going forward as the Lions aimed to maintain a clean sheet.
On the other hand, the Rowdies were in search of a crucial away goal and made three key changes at halftime. One of the substitutions made by Tampa Head Coach Ricky Hill included forward Brian Shriver, who had a near-chance in the 50th minute from a Rowdies’ counter-attack, but a well-timed tackle from Defender Justin Clark kept Gallardo out of harm’s way.
The Rowdies’ strong push forward eventually led to another City goal in the 90th minute when Brian Span added the final dagger deep into stoppage time.
With the home win secured, City will head into the away leg on July 6 with a comfortable cushion as Orlando aims to secure a second consecutive I-4 Derby Championship.
The Lions' next USL PRO match will take place at home on Sunday, May 4, against OKC Energy FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
For more information, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com.