MELBOURNE, Fla. (April 8, 2016) – Orlando City B (0-1-1, 1 point) will feature in its first United Soccer League (USL) road match on Saturday, April 9, when the Lions face the 2015 Eastern Conference finalist Louisville City FC (1-1-0, 4 points) at Slugger Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The contest between Orlando and Louisville will be streamed online at www.OrlandoCitySC.com/LIVE.
“This is probably the toughest first road game we could have asked for. Obviously I know James [O’Connor] really well, he’s got a good team that he has put together, they had a great season last year, got some good players, some experienced players that know the league and we know it’s going to be a tough test for us,” said Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “We need to show the same defensive solidity that we showed against Charleston, the same character, the same fight, the intensity to keep the clean sheet that we showed with 10 men, and I think we need to show more when we are in possession of the ball. We are looking forward to the match.”
This contest will feature the meeting of three former Orlando City USL players – Orlando City B Head Coach Anthony Pulis, Assistant Coach Rob Valentino and Louisville City FC’s Head Coach James O’Connor.
Former midfielders Pulis and O’Connor and former Lions’ captain Valentino shared the pitch for three seasons, between the 2012 and the 2014 campaign, playing instrumental roles in City’s successful path in the USL – winning two Regular Season titles (2012, 2014) and one Championship (2013).
Louisville City’s midfielder Aodhan Quinn also featured for the Lions during its previous years in the USL, playing in the 2014 Orlando City SC side that conquered the 2014 USL Regular Season championship.
The Lions visit Louisville following an impressive defensive display in their previous match, when they kept a clean sheet and drew the Charleston Battery 0-0 at home, playing with a man down for most of the second half. Outstanding overall defensive efforts, a superb performance by debutant goalkeeper Mark Ridgers, who was voted to the USL Team of the Week, and a remarkable team character combined to record City’s first point of the campaign.
Louisville enters the match after splitting their results in their two first fixtures, winning its season opener 1-0 against the Charlotte Independence on March 26 and losing its previous home match, falling 2-0 against the New York Red Bulls II on April 2.
O’Connor’s side recorded an impressive inaugural USL season last year, placing second in the Eastern Conference and reaching the Conference Finals, with an overall 17-10-6 record in 33 matches played.
