MELBOURNE, Fla. (July 23, 2016) - In first home game since July 2, Orlando City B (6-6-6, 24 points) looks to continue its six-game unbeaten run when it hosts the Wilmington Hammerheads (6-7-5, 23 points) on Sunday, July 24. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Titan Soccer Complex.
“It’s a really big game for us. Obviously Wilmington is close to us on the table. It’s getting tight and narrow around the playoff places. We’ve been on a decent run but it’s going to be a difficult game. Just because Wilmington has lost their last couple of games doesn’t mean it’s going to be an easy game at all,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “There’s no easy game in this league. Tough game, but as always, it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
OCB earned two 0-0 draws on the road last week, first against Rochester on July 10 and then three days later at Charleston. Goalkeeper Mark Ridgers made eight saves over the two games to earn his third and fourth clean sheets of the season, giving the Lions a pair of strong road results against two Eastern Conference playoff teams.
Michael Cox leads OCB with six goals and 27 shots while 2016 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick Hadji Barry has four goals and two assists in seven games. Ridgers leads the Eastern Conference and is second in the USL with 59 saves.
Wilmington is coming off a 4-1 loss to first place Louisville City FC on Sunday, July 17. Bruno Caldini Perone scored in the 87th minute to avoid the Hammerheads’ second consecutive scoreless outing. Goalkeeper Eric Ati made four saves.
Perone leads Wilmington with five goals on just nine shots through 18 games this season, while Mael Corboz leads the Hammerheads with four assists. Goalkeeper John Smits leads the team with 44 saves in 14 games.
This is the second meeting this season between the two teams. The Lions dropped a 2-1 decision in the season opener on March 26. With 12 regular season games remaining, OCB is in the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot and leads 10th place Wilmington by one point. OCB heads to Wilmington on Sept. 7 for the third and final meeting of the season.
OCB goes on the road again on Saturday, July 30, when it visits Louisville City. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Lions return to Titan Soccer Complex on Saturday, August 6, when they host Toronto FC II for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
