Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Saturday, February 26, 2011
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Orlando City rebounded from Thursday night’s loss to earn its second preseason victory against Major League Soccer opposition as Ian Fuller’s 76th-minute goal gave the Lions a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC to earn third place at the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic on Saturday night.
The Lions’ goal came after a Max Griffin grabbed hold of a long pass and made a run at the box. Ian Fuller followed in the right channel, resulting in a give-and-go that sprung him into the penalty area. TFC goalkeeper Milos Kocic came out to try and claim the through-ball, but Fuller beat Kocic to the ball, rounding the ’keeper and bent a low shot into the open net to give City a late lead they would not relinquish.
“It was great to get the win,” said Fuller, who also acts as an assistant coach for Orlando City. “The guys battled all night long. I’m proud of the guys and I’m also very happy to score. I haven’t done that in a while.”
After Orlando coach Adrian Heath made a change to the team’s starting formation, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 4-4-1-1 with Yordanny Alvarez in the playmaker role, the Lions came out sharply to start the game.
It would be easy to blame Orlando’s domination of the run of play on Toronto running out a roster of trialists, but even two-time MLS Cup MVP Dwayne DeRosario struggled to impose his will on the match. Orlando’s defensive dominance came in part from a change to the back line.
Mechack Jerome had seen time in the previous two City matches, but he got his first start on Saturday and played the full 90 minutes. Jerome made the most of his full shift, becoming a clearing force in the City penalty area. Jerome also got a chance to show his offensive prowess when he skimmed the crossbar on a free kick, while Lewis Neal also tested Kocic from a free kick forcing a good save.
City’s preseason was dealt a blow when Jamie Watson got tangled with TFC’s Matt Stinson and fell awkwardly. Watson left the match with a shoulder injury. A full diagnosis will be available in a few days.
Missing Watson, City struggled to regain momentum early in the second half. Jose Burciaga came in to replace the injured winger, forcing left back Jack Traynor into a midfield role. The Lions took about 20 minutes to find their shape, and nearly fell behind as a result. Toronto capitalized on Orlando’s struggles by creating several close scoring chances, but keeper Sean Kelley, a halftime sub, and the rest of the Orlando defense held strong.
Immediately after the goal, City brought in defense-minded subs. Toronto continued to push for an equalizer, hoping to send the match to penalty kicks, but the Lions held firm in the closing stages to earn a second victory against MLS opposition after their 1-0 win against the Philadelphia Union in their preseason opener last Saturday.
Orlando City continues its preseason at the ESPN Wide World of Sports next Saturday as it hosts the Swedish First Division’s BK Hacken for an international friendly.