ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 25, 2017) – In its first match of the 2017 United Soccer League (USL) season, Orlando City B (0-1-0, 0 points) fell 1-0 against the expansion Tampa Bay Rowdies (1-0-0, 3 points) despite passionate support from traveling fans in a sellout crowd. Earl Edwards, Jr. made four outstanding saves but couldn’t stop Georgi Hristov’s second-half penalty kick. Seven players made their OCB debuts and eight First Team players appeared.
“The positive for me was the reaction to going a goal down. I thought the boys dusted themselves off and got back on the game. I thought for a period in the second half we controlled it, they dropped in a little bit deeper and we controlled possession,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “It’s all learning. We’ve got a lot of young guys out there that haven’t played substantial professional games so it’s probably an eye opener for some of them coming into this environment tonight.”
OCB came out with a strong starting XI highlighted by several of the nine First Team players loaned to OCB on Friday. In addition to Edwards, Jr., Pulis’ lineup included right back Kevin Alston, who is recovering from an injury, Conor Donovan, Tommy Redding and PC on the back line. Veteran Lewis Neal wore the captain’s armband and played alongside Paul Clowes in the holding midfield. 2016 MLS SuperDraft selection Danny Deakin, Pierre Da Silva and Richie Laryea worked to get the ball to Michael Cox, who led OCB with 11 goals last season.
The Lions got off to a quick start as Richie Laryea played a nice combination with Deakin. The former South Carolina Gamecock one-touched it back to Laryea on top of the area but Laryea’s shot to the far post was saved. Laryea had another strong opportunity in the 14th minute.
Edwards, Jr. was solid from the get-go, making a diving save to his left in the 24th minute to deflect Marcel Schafer’s left-footed strike from inside the box. Edwards, Jr. then charged out to stop Hristov in a 1-on-1 to keep the score level going into the half. The San Diego, Calif., native made his best save when he flew through the air and tipped Joe Cole’s chip shot over the bar. In the 56th minute, though, Edwards, Jr. was forced to charge out to stop Leo Fernandes and conceded a penalty kick.
“Earl was fantastic. He’s been great since he’s been with us and training with our group. He’s been fantastic,” Pulis said of Edwards, Jr. “I’ve been really, really pleased with him. Tonight I thought he kept us in the game at times. On the whole I thought he was outstanding.”
After the goal, City picked up its offensive pressure and began to dominate possession in the midfield. The Lions almost capitalized on the increased possession when Deakin nearly got on the end of a well-timed through ball from Da Silva in the 65th minute.
The match saw seven Lions make their Orlando City B debuts. Defenders Zach Carroll and PC joined OCB during the offseason from New York Red Bulls II and Tampa Bay Rowdies, respectively. Midfielder Paul Clowes started and played a full 90 minutes while Austin Martz and Deakin entered the match in the second half. Forward Dikwa Albert made his professional debut after signing from Montverde Academy on Feb. 9. Kevin Alston also played his first game with OCB.
Over 200 Lions fans filled the stands in electric support of Orlando City B’s first match of the season. Purple smoke and flags waving from across the field pronounced the rivalry against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Orlando City B fans contributed to the Al Lang Stadium record crowd of 7,710.
OCB will play its first game in Orlando City Stadium on Thursday, March 30, against Louisville City FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at www.OrlandoCitySC.com/OCB/tickets or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
Scoring Summary:
TB - Georgi Hristov (PK) 57’
Misconduct Summary:
TB - Lewis Neal (Yellow Card) 36’
TB - Georgi Hristov (Yellow Card) 60’
OCB - Michael Cox (Yellow Card) 90+4’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City B - GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Kevin Alston (Zach Carroll 64’), Conor Donovan, Tommy Redding, PC, M ⓒ Lewis Neal, Paul Clowes, Danny Deakin (Austin Martz 83’), Pierre Da Silva, Richie Laryea (Albert Dikwa 74’), F Michael Cox
Substitutes: GK Jake Fenlason, M Ryley Kraft, F Joe Gallardo, Ben Polk
Tampa Bay Rowdies - GK Akira Fitzgerald, D Darnell King, Damion Lowe, Neil Collins, Luke Boden, M Martin Vingaard, Marcel Schafer, Michael Nanchoff, ⓒ Joe Cole (Justin Chavez 90+1’), Leo Fernandes, F Georgi Hristov (Alex Morrell 90+4’)
Substitutes: GK Matias Reynares, D Zac Portillos, Tamika Mkandawire, Kyle Porter, Keith Savage
Details of the Game
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
March 25, 2017
Attendance: 7,710
Stats:
Possession:
OCB - 48.4%
TB - 51.6%
Shots:
OCB - 3
TB - 21
Saves:
OCB - 4
TB - 1
Corners:
OCB - 2
TB - 7
Fouls:
OCB - 12
TB - 12
