Orlando City SC News Release - www.orlandocitysc.com
Saturday, August 6, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando City Lions won their first two of three possible championships tonight with a 2-1 victory over Charleston Battery. The victory gives Orlando City the USL PRO American Division Championship, the USL PRO Regular Season Championship, and home-field advantage throughout the 2011 ULS PRO Playoffs.
The first half was a defensive struggle between two teams who pride themselves in playing a solid defensive game. With few opportunities in the first half, the teams went into halftime tied at zero. Charleston lead by a slim margin in shot attempts going into halftime- seven to six.
Halftime came at the most opportune time. With rain pouring down on the Citrus Bowl pitch, a weather delay began midway through halftime. The match was delayed just 20 minutes, plus the 17 minute halftime. The majority of the 5,251 in attendance remained for the second half.
The rain-soaked field provided the teams with a fast moving pitch, which provided everyone watching an exciting second half. It was a half that will go down in Orlando City’s history as one of the team’s most important halves to date. Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath decided to make a switch a halftime. Orlando forward Dennis Chin was substituted for Max Griffin at the beginning of the second half to provide Orlando’s offense a spark. Chin did just that.
“I brought in Chinny to provide a spark, something that he tends to do every time we throw him in there,” said Heath following the match. “It was the right decision."
Ten minutes into the second half, Chin charged down the field with two Charleston defenders running alongside him. Chin was taken down right outside of the 6-yard box, providing Orlando with a penalty kick. Jamie Watson, Wednesday’s hero, stepped up to the spot.
Watson smoothly put the ball into the back corner of the net, giving Orlando the 1-0 lead and his second goal in as many games against Charleston. Watson then proceeded up the stairs to the bleachers and celebrated with the Iron Lion Firm, one of Orlando City’s supporters groups.
“A moment like that is something I will always look back on,” said Watson. “It was great to celebrate with all of the fans. They deserve this win too.”
Only a few minutes later, Mechack Jerome crossed to Yordany Alvarez, who headed the ball in the 72nd minute to give Orlando a 2-0 lead. Things just started to heat up from there.
Even through Orlando was up by two, Charleston refused to go down without a fight. A sneaky back-heel pass from Rollins College alum Jon Gruenewald left Gallardo far outside of the goal, leaving Charleston forward Dane Kelley with an easy shot into an open net.
A minute into stoppage time, Charleston proceeded to turn up the heat on Orlando’s defense. Things got even more heated when Battery defender John Wilson took down Dennis Chin, which brought both teams to the corner of the field where a shoving match began. Before it was broken up, Wilson grabbed an Orlando City player by the throat, earning him an instant red and ejection. After the incident was under control, the final whistle blew.
As soon as the referee whistle went off, the celebration began. The team ran around the field with the trophy, sharing the moment with all of the loyal City fans.
“We’ve been waiting for this for a good while. Coach [Heath] has done a brilliant job in coaching our players and has done a fantastic job with them,” said President and Owner Phil Rawlins. “They have been the best team all year, playing the best football. Now it’s time to win a championship.”
Orlando City closes out the regular season at home on Friday against the Harrisburg City Islanders.