Scoring Summary:
ORL- Romario Williams (Unassisted) 26’
ORL- Andrew Brody (Unassisted) 45’
CHA- Dane Kelly (Unassisted) 63’
CHA- Dane Kelly (Unassisted) 68’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC- G Tomas Gomez; D Eirik Bjoernoe, Boyd Okwuonu, Ian Svantesson, Skyler Russell; M Paul Clowes, Romilio Hernandez (Javier Clavijo 95’), Noah Franke (Daniel Johnson 46’), Andrew Brody; F Williams, Popo
Charleston Battery- G Eric Shannon; D Kafari (Jarad van Schaik 71’), Colin Falvey, Shawn Ferguson, Quinton Griffith; M Aminu Abdallah, Justin Portillo, Adam Mena (Zachary Prince 117’), Maikel Chang (Andre Lewis 62’); F Haviel Cordoves, Dane Kelly
Penalty Summary:
ORL- Romilio Hernandez (Yellow Card) 49’
ORL- Skyler Russell (Yellow Card) 50’
CHA- Justin Portillo (Yellow Card) 69’
ORL – Romario Williams (Yellow Card) 81’
CHA – Colin Falvey (Yellow Card) 86’
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7:30 p.m. EST
Weather: -- Clear
Charleston, SC. – The Orlando City U23s continue to make history, after winning its second ever U.S. Open Cup match against the Charleston Battery on Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium. The young Lions defeated the Charleston Battery 12-11 in penalties, moving on to face the Portland Timbers in the fourth round on June 17.
Forward Romario Williams picked up right where he left off last week, scoring his third goal in three games for the U23s in the 26th minute. The Lions were awarded a free kick from just outside the box, but the Battery defense failed to clear the ball and Williams pounced on the loose ball for the first goal of the match.
Charleston would begin to pressure the young Orlando defense in the final five minutes of the first half. Midfielder Kafari connected on a cross into the middle of the box to Maikel Chang, whose shot was immediately thwarted by a City defender before it even got to Goalkeeper Tomas Gomez.
Two minutes later, Charleston’s Quinton Griffith got behind the U23s’ backline, but not before a defender quickly closed down the speedy midfielder and cleared the ball.
On the ensuing possession, the Lions countered quickly. Midfielder Andrew Brody received the ball just past the halfline and was left all alone. The Orlando native dribbled down the field and chipped a shot into the top left corner over the head of ‘keeper Eric Shannon from about 26 yards away.
The second half would turn into complete control by the hosts, as Forward Dane Kelly made his presence felt immediately when the whistle blew to start the second 45 minutes.
Kelly had two near chances for the Battery in the first 10 minutes and eventually would cut into the U23s lead in the 63rd minute, after gathering his own rebound and sending the shot past Gomez.
The Charleston striker would level the match nearly five minutes later from the penalty spot. A City defender fouled Shawn Ferguson in the box, allowing Kelly to step up to the spot to convert for his second goal of the evening.
During the final 20 minutes neither team could maintain possession enough to get a quality shot on target to end the game in regular time. Once the extra time began Williams had the first chance on goal after cutting inside a defender inside the box as his shot was deflected behind, but the Lions could not make anything of the ensuing corner kick.
After 120 minutes of play and 14 rounds of penalties, with three players forced to take a second attempt, it was Charleston’s striker, Kelly that stepped up to the spot. Unfortunately for the striker, who played such a great game, his third attempt at a penalty would sail over the bar, sealing the victory for the U23s.
Up next, the U23s will travel to Bradenton to take on the IMG Academy in the Premier Development league before facing off with the Timbers. The game with Timbers will take place on June 17, with kick-off set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
