ORLANDO, Fla. (June 7, 2017) – Four days after picking up a 2-1 win, Orlando City B (4-4-4, 16 points) returned to Orlando City Stadium and played to a 1-1 draw against the Rochester Rhinos (4-1-4, 16 points) on Wednesday evening. Hadji Barry scored the lone goal for the Lions. Goalkeeper Josh Saunders made his Club debut after being acquired by the First Team in January.
“I thought it was frustrating evening to be honest,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “We had a really good idea of how Rochester was going to come and play and set up, but our decision-making and possession was disappointing at times. Obviously we had a lot of possession but we didn’t do enough with it. We’re going to look over the video because this could be a really good learning experience for them in understanding where the spaces are and breaking teams down. We played into their hands a little bit. And then, to be fair to Josh Saunders, he kept us in there at the end.”
The first half started with fairly equal possession, with Orlando City B and the Rochester Rhinos both testing their opponents’ back line. The Lions had several attempts on goal within the first 20 minutes, two of them coming from Barry. Seb Hines and Zach Ellis-Hayden provided strong support in the back as both players completed several successful tackles that stopped the Rhinos’ momentum and switched possession. Ellis-Hayden earned United Soccer League (USL) Team of the Week honors in Week 11 for his game-winning goal Saturday in Pittsburgh.
Orlando City B opened up the scoring in the 23rd minute when Richie Laryea placed a well-timed through ball to Barry who danced around Rhinos goalkeeper Tomas Gomez and slid it home for his second goal in two games and his third of the season. Barry’s goal gives him three in two matches against Rochester all-time and ties him with Laryea and rookie Albert Dikwa for the team scoring lead.
Rochester forward Antonio Correia equalized in the 24th minute after finding a loose ball in the penalty box.
Saunders rebounded with an impressive second half in his Orlando City SC debut. The Oregon native had four saves in the game, including a double save in the 81st minute in which he blocked a close-range attempt and got in front of the quick rebound.
In addition to Hines, Barry, Saunders and Laryea, First Team midfielder Pierre Da Silva featured in the match. First Teamers Earl Edwards, Jr. and Conor Donovan were available for selection.
The match was one of 25 in the USL this season to test a Video Assistant Referee (VAR). OCB participated in the first VAR review at New York Red Bulls II on Aug. 12, 2016, when defender Conor Donovan was issued a red card. OCB’s match on June 20 against Ottawa will also test the VAR.
Orlando City B goes on the road for its next three games, first taking on Toronto FC II on Wednesday, June 14, before visiting Ottawa Fury FC on June 20 and Rochester on June 23. OCB returns to Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, July 1, when it hosts Cincinnati FC. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
OCB - Hadji Barry (Richie Laryea) 23’
ROC - Antonio Correia (Ray Lee) 25’
Misconduct Summary:
OCB - Seb Hines (Yellow Card) 4’
ROC - Wal Fall (Yellow Card) 63’
OCB - Richie Laryea (Yellow Card) 64’
OCB - Pierre Da Silva (Yellow Card) 87’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City B - GK Josh Saunders, D Scott Thomsen, Zach Carroll, Seb Hines, Zach Ellis-Hayden, M ⓒ Lewis Neal, Jordan Schweitzer, Austin Martz (David Loera 76’), Richie Laryea, F Danny Deakin (Pierre Da Silva 62’), Hadji Barry (Albert Dikwa 73’)
Substitutes: GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Conor Donovan, M Ryley Kraft, F Michael Cox
Rochester Rhinos - GK Tomas Gomez, D Ryan Felix, Joe Farrell, Todd Pratzner, Jordan Dover, Ray Lee (Brandon Beresford 82’), M ⓒ Kenardo Forbes, Ryan James, Sofiane Tergou, F Antonio Correia (Wal Fall 60’), Darius Madison (Sammy Edoung-Biyo 69’)
Substitutes: GK Dan Lynd, D Sergio Campbell, M Stef Defregger, M Jalen Brown
Details of the Game
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
June 7, 2017
Attendance: 967
Stats:
Possession:
OCB - 55.7%
ROC - 44.3%
Shots:
OCB - 6
ROC - 9
Saves:
OCB - 4
ROC - 3
Corners:
OCB - 5
ROC - 1
Fouls:
OCB - 9
ROC - 13
