ORLANDO, Fla. (July 1, 2017) – Orlando City B (5-6-5, 20 points) began a three-game homestand with a 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati (5-5-6, 21 points) Saturday night at Orlando City Stadium. Jordan Schweitzer scored his first goal as a Lion and Earl Edwards, Jr. made eight saves.
“First and foremost I want to start by giving Cincinnati huge credit because for them to perform like that three days after playing 120 minutes against Chicago in Open Cup is fantastic,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “The start was going to be really important because of what they’ve just come from. We wanted to start fast and we did. For the most part, I was pleased. We spoke and worked on the press the last couple of days and the guys executed well. Disappointing thing for me is we gifted them a goal. On the run of play, a point is probably a fair result.“
Schweitzer got OCB off to a quick start when he curled home Austin Martz’ low cross in the second minute with his right foot. Martz continued to attack FCC’s back line down the right wing throughout the game and showed good chemistry with Zach Ellis-Hayden.
Edwards Jr. wore the captain’s armband for the second game in a row. He put on another exemplary performance, his eight saves tying his season high set on June 3 in a 2-1 win in Pittsburgh. The goalkeeper was forced to come off of his line in the 13th minute to make a crucial 1-on-1 save against Djiby Fall. He was called on once more to make another spectacular save in the 36th minute when he kicked his leg out to stop Fall’s hard shot.
The match was the second of the first ever Orlando City Stadium doubleheader, following the National Women’s Soccer League match between Orlando Pride and the Chicago Red Stars. The next Pride-OCB doubleheader is on Sept. 23, when Portland Thorns FC and the Charleston Battery visit Orlando City Stadium.
The Lions were reduced to 10 men in the 87th minute when Pierre Da Silva was shown a straight red card.
In addition to Edwards Jr. and Da Silva, the match also featured First Team defenders Seb Hines and Conor Donovan in the starting XI.
OCB will finish the season series against Cincinnati on Aug. 5 at Nippert Stadium, where the Lions took a 2-0 victory on May 13.
OCB continues the three-game homestand on Saturday, July 8, when it hosts the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. OCB then hosts I-4 Derby rival Tampa Bay Rowdies on Thursday, July 13.
Tickets to all Orlando City B home matches can be purchased at orlandocityb.com/tickets or by calling 855-ORL-CITY.
Scoring Summary:
OCB - Jordan Schweitzer (Austin Martz) 2’
FCC - Djiby Fall (Andrew Wiedeman) 16’
Misconduct Summary:
OCB - Seb Hines (Yellow Card) 45+1’
OCB - Paul Clowes (Yellow Card) 46’
FCC - Austin Berry (Yellow Card) 75’
OCB - Pierre Da Silva (Red Card) 87’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City B - GK ⓒ Earl Edwards, Jr., D Timbó (Scott Thomsen 73’), Seb Hines, Conor Donovan, Zach Ellis-Hayden, M Pierre Da Silva, Jordan Schweitzer, Paul Clowes, Austin Martz, F Danny Deakin (Lewis Neal 69’), Albert Dikwa (Michael Cox 81’)
Substitutes: GK Jake Fenlason, D Zach Carroll, M Ryley Kraft, F Ben Polk
FC Cincinnati - GK Mitch Hildebrandt, D Harrison Delbridge (Justin Hoyte 90+1’), Paul Nicholson, Austin Berry, M Tyler Polak, Corben Bone, Kenney Walker, Matt Bahner, F Andrew Wiedeman, Djiby Fall (Danni Konig 73’), Jimmy McLaughlin (Kadeem Dacres 70’)
Substitutes: GK Dallas Jaye, D Josu, Garrett Halfhill, M Aodhan Quinn
Details of the Game
Time: 8:55 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
July 1, 2017
Attendance: 980
Stats:
Possession:
OCB - 44.6%
FCC - 55.4%
Shots:
OCB - 4
FCC - 16
Saves:
OCB - 8
FCC - 1
Corners:
OCB - 3
FCC - 2
Fouls:
OCB - 11
FCC - 9
