MELBOURNE, Fla. (July 27, 2016) – Orlando City SC faced English Premier League side Stoke City FC for the first time since the clubs announced a formal affiliation in May of this year. City fell 2-1 to the Potters Wednesday in front of a sellout crowd of 3,472 at Titan Soccer Complex, the playing home of the Club’s Orlando City B team in the USL.
Hadji Barry equalized in the 55th minute before Bojan scored the game winner in the 64th.
“I am pleased with the overall effort. I thought the guys stayed together. It’s a learning experience for us. I think they grasped some of the things we’re trying to do tactically,” said Head Coach Jason Kreis, who led the Lions in a game for the first time. “We did a couple of things well. We created enough goalscoring chances in the game. But at the end of the day we lost the match. We need to be critical of ourselves and try to improve in those areas.”
Kreis fielded a team largely comprised of First Team starters, including Cristian Higuita, Darwin Cerén, Kevin Molino and former Stoke City player Brek Shea. Goalkeeper Earl Edwards, Jr. and winger Carlos Rivas also started the match, along with OCB midfielder Tony Rocha. Kreis made a slew of changes at halftime, replacing the entire back line and inserting several First Team and OCB players, including debutant José Aja and 2016 MLS SuperDraft first-round picks Richie Laryea and Barry.
Laryea and Barry immediately changed the dynamic of the game with their quick play at midfield and Barry equalized just seven minutes after Mame Diouf opened the scoring for the Potters. The Guinean forward smartly put himself even with the Stoke back line before receiving a quick free kick from Servando Carrasco and making a dashing run across the box, dribbling around several defenders before firing a left-footed shot into the back of the net.
The Lions’ back line put on an exceptional performance in the first half. Luke Boden and David Mateos blocked several shots and crosses but it was Seb Hines 35th-minute block that stole the show. The Englishman heroically dove in front of Stoke defender Marc Muniesa’s wide open shot from inside the box to block it with his face, denying a sure goal.
Stoke City winger Bojan scored the game winner in the 64th minute with a superb strike from distance.
The match was Kreis’ first as the Lions’ head coach, after beginning his work with the team on Monday, following his arrival on July 19. It was also the second game between these clubs, as Stoke City visited Orlando for a friendly match on July 28, 2012. The affiliation between the clubs include player-exchange opportunities, accessibility to shared scouting and player-recruitment systems.
The Lions return to Camping World Stadium on Sunday, July 31, when they host the New England Revolution. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.
Scoring Summary:
STK - Mame Diouf 48’
ORL - Hadji Barry (Servando Carrasco) 55’
STK - Bojan 64’
Misconduct Summary:
STK - Mame Diouf (Yellow Card) 40’
ORL - Devron García (Yellow Card) 54’
STK - Philipp Wollscheid (Yellow Card) 61’
STK - Phil Bardsley (Yellow Card) 70’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Luke Boden (Mikey Ambrose 46’), David Mateos (José Aja 46’), Seb Hines (Conor Donovan 46’), Kevin Alston (Devron García 46’), M Cristian Higuita (Servando Carrasco 46’), Darwin Cerén (Antonio Nocerino 46’), Brek Shea (Hadji Barry 46’), Tony Rocha (Johnny Mendoza 66’), Kevin Molino (Richie Laryea 46’), F Carlos Rivas (Keegan Smith 66’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Mark Ridgers, D, Antonio Matarazzo
Stoke City FC - GK Jack Butland, D Erik Pieters, Marc Muniesa, Glen Johnson (Phil Bardsley 65’), M Marko Arnautović (Eddy Lecygne 72’), Charlie Adam, Ryan Shawcross, Mame Diouf (Peter Crouch 65’), Gianelli Imbula (Ollie Shenton 83’), Philipp Wollscheid, F Bojan (Joselu 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Jakob Haugaard, D F Julien N’Goy, George Waring, Joel Taylor
Details of the Game
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
July 27, 2016
Attendance: 3,472
Stats:
Shots:
ORL - 8
STK - 9
Saves:
ORL - 2
STK - 2
Fouls:
ORL - 11
STK - 20
Corners:
ORL - 3
STK - 5
