Team 1 2 Final
Antigua Barracuda FC 1 0 1
Orlando City 1 1 2
Scoring Summary:
ANT – Quinton Griffith 2 (penalty) 20
OC – Max Griffin 1 (John Rooney 2) 26
OC - Wes Allen 1 (Anthony Pulis 1) 49
Misconduct Summary:
ANT – Orlando Mitchum (Caution; Reckless Foul) 83
Lineup:
Miguel Gallardo, Jerome Mechack, Kieron Bernard, Wes Allen, Luke Boden, James O’Connor, Anthony Pulis, Charlie Campbell, Charlie Campbell (Kevin Molino 62), John Rooney (Ian Fuller 76), Jamie Watson (Erik Ustruck 89), Max Griffin (Dennis Chin 70)
St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda - Orlando City Soccer Club celebrated Mother’s Day with a 2-1 comeback win over Antigua Barracuda FC. The win gives the Lions a full six points on the weekend, and keeps Orlando undefeated on the season.
City fell behind early on, and played from behind for the first time all season. The Barracudas lead was short-lived, as the Lions equalized just six minutes later. Orlando controlled the game from that point on, pressing forward repeatedly heading into the halftime break.
Wes Allen scored the game winner shortly after halftime resumed. Allen rose over the crowd on Anthony Pulis’ corner kick in the 49th minute and delivered a snap header before the Barracuda defense could even react. The goal completed a comeback that began in the 26th minute on Max Griffin’s first goal of the season.
Friday night’s last-minute maestro got his goal early tonight, as John Rooney found Griffin flying down the right side of the pitch unmarked. Griffin again went far-post, but beat the keeper on his own, with the shot going untouched into the upper 90. From that point on, City controlled the match.
Though the Lions took the lead for good early in the half, they never took their foot off the gas. Kevin Molino added a spark to the lineup, coming on in the 62nd minute. Molino regularly found space near the top of the box, and nearly struck gold in the 72nd minute. His shot was deflected, but fell just wide of the post. Both Dennis Chin and Jamie Watson had goals called off for offsides and a foul respectively.
The Barracudas struck first in the 20th minute. Kieron Bernard brought down Stefan Smith inside the box for a penalty. Quinton Griffith, the fourth Barracuda to attempt a penalty this season, beat City Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo for the 1-0 lead.
Orlando City gets a chance to rest this week, with the team having a rare weekend off. The break comes at the perfect time as City faces the potential for four games in eight days starting Tuesday, May 22, when the Lions start Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play against either Real Colorado Foxes or K.C. Athletics. The match will be played at the Seminole Soccer Complex. A win advances the Lions to the third round on May 29, where City will face a team from Major League Soccer.
The next league match for the Lions is on May 24. LA Blues make their first-ever trip to Orlando for the match. The Thursday match is also Military Night, featuring a swearing-in ceremony of recruits from all five branches of the U.S. military at halftime. Tickets for the match start at just $15 are available by calling 855-ORL-CITY or by visitingwww.orlandocitysoccer.com.
