Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Wednesday, March 16. 2011
WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Orlando City continued its preseason preparation at Rollins College tonight, defeating a tough Tars squad 3-1 in front of a sell-out crowd at Sandspur Field.
City controlled the run of play for the entire game, but struggled to put together any dangerous scoring chances early in the match. Rollins packed the midfield tightly, resulting in a lot of promising moves that fell by the wayside.
“We turned the ball over too many times,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We didn’t treat Rollins with enough respect.”
Max Griffin finally broke through in the 37th minute when trialist Kevin Molino fed him at the top of the box for a quick shot. The back-and-forth midfield play continued for the rest of the half. City managed a few more shots on goal, but could not find the back of the net before the whistle blew.
The second half began much like the first ended, but Rollins had a renewed energy. They pushed forward more, opening up the game. Their efforts were rewarded when senior and Winter Park HS alum Stephen Wright tied the game in the 56th minute. City responded immediately with attack after attack, but the tight Rollins defense held firm.
The match turned when Rollins’ Adam New was ejected for throwing the ball at City’s Yordanny Alvarez. Alvarez had just been given a yellow card for his challenge on New. Rollins played the remaining 20 minutes down a man. At first, the match changed very little as Rollins was content to hold out for the draw.
City finally got their chance when Devorn Jorsling was knocked down in the 83rd minute while corralling a long pass. Lewis Neal stepped to the ball, placed 25 yards out, and bent his shot over the wall and into the back of the net past the oustretched arms of the Rollins' goalkeeper, giving City a 2-1 lead with just seven minutes left in regulation.
City continued to press for an insurance goal and did not have to wait long as just two minutes after Neal’s goal, Jorsling juked several defenders inside the penalty area and crossed the ball back to Alvarez. By the time the Rollins goalkeeper reacted, Alvarez was already celebrating.
But despite the 3-1 win, Heath was not pleased with his team’s performance.
“I would give us a five out of ten tonight,” said Heath. “It was overall a disappointing evening. We have a lot of tired bodies though, but we will go again [practice] tomorrow and Friday, and play Sunday. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Lions take on UCF on Sunday at 2pm. The game will be held at UCF’s soccer field, adjacent to Brighthouse Networks Stadium.