Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Friday, July 12, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City closed out the regular season with a bang on Friday night as Jamie Watson recorded a hat trick in a 4-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders in front of 4,549 fans at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Orlando City clinched the USL PRO regular season title last week, but it does give the Lions some momentum heading into the first round of the playoffs next weekend.
It didn’t take too long for Orlando to notch their first goal of the match. In the 22nd minute, Dennis Chin got the scoring started for City. Chin broke away from the Harrisburg back line, putting Harrisburg goalkeeper Chase Harrison in an unfavorable position. Chin, off of his left foot, put a strong shot right past Harrison to put the Lions up 1-0. The goal by Chin marked his first goal scored during the regular season.
“It was great to get my first goal of the season,” Chin said after the game. “I have been waiting to score one for a long time here.”
As soon as the second half started, Orlando took over the match. In the 55th minute, Harrisburg’s Anthony Calvano committed a handball inside the penalty area, giving Orlando City a penalty kick. Watson, who scored off of a penalty kick last Saturday, again came through, blasting the ball into the left corner of the goal, putting Orlando up 2-0.
Watson scored his second in the 80th minute as he showed off his technical ability by putting the moves on Harrisburg defender Andrew Marshall. Once he got past Marshall, he rocketed a shot past Harrison to score his second goal of the night, giving Orlando the 3-0 lead.
Minutes later Watson completed his hat trick. After a brilliant feed from City defender Erik Ustruck, Watson was set up with a wide open lane to the goal. Watson easily put the ball past Harrison a third time to put Orlando up 4-0. It marked the first time an Orlando City player has scored a hat trick. It was Watson’s fifth goal in the last nine days and eighth goal of the season.
“It was impressive what Jamie did tonight," said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath.
During the match, Orlando fans were also paying close attention the Charleston/Charlotte match, one that would determine next week’s opponent in the first round of the USL PRO playoffs. The Charleston Battery took a 4-3 victory and will travel to Orlando next week to face the Lions in the first round of the USL PRO playoffs. The game is set to be played next Saturday, August 20th. Orlando swept the Battery in a two-game series last week and holds a 3-1-0 record against Charleston this season.
Tickets are available for the first round of the playoffs! Call our ticket office at 855-ORL-CITY. For all of your Orlando City playoff news, be sure to check www.orlandocitysoccer.com all next week for special playoff coverage.