Orlando City Capture Win Over Sporting KC

Orlando City
Jamila St. Ann/Sporting KC

Lions Capture 1-0 Win Over 2012 US Open Cup Champs Sporting KC

Orlando downs Major League Soccer affiliate SKC, moves on to Open Cup Quarterfinals

A quick score by Forward Long Tan was all Orlando City SC needed Wednesday night at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, topping Major League Soccer affiliate (MLS) Sporting Kansas City 1-0. The win advances Orlando to the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup, the first time the Lions have done so in franchise history.

“It’s a really big result and something the players can be proud of,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “All of a sudden we are a couple games from something really special. I’m looking forward to playing the next round opponent.”

Orlando City
Jamila St. Ann/Sporting KC

Orlando didn’t take very long to take the lead, with Forward Long Tan capitalizing on a well-played takeaway from Midfielder Adama Mbengue. In only the 2nd minute of play, the former Orlando City U23s star took possession away from the Sporting KC backline- finding Long Tan in stride behind the Sporting defense. The former DC United striker slotted it past Goalkeeper Eric Kronberg in the bottom-left corner to give the Lions the 1-0 advantage.

Orlando continued to move men forward against the MLS side, who responded with chances of their own throughout the later part of the second half. Sporting KC, holding a 6-5-4 record in MLS regular season play coming into the match, began to produce opportunities as the game went on- whipping in dangerous corners and crosses that kept the Lions humble moving forward. Despite the increasing chances, Orlando weathered the storm to go into the locker room on top 1-0.

Looking for a spark, Sporting subbed in Forward C.J. Sapong at the start of the second half. Sapong led the team in goals with nine last year, pushing the Lions’ backline as they held the 1-0 lead.

Orlando City
Jamila St. Ann/Sporting KC

Despite the added pressure, Lions’ Goalkeeper and Team Captain Miguel Gallardo held steady – making key saves in succession in the 60thminute to keep the Lions ahead. The 2011 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year came up big as Sporting continued to push forward, leading the Orlando backline that featured second-time starter Justin Clark and veteran Rob Valentino.

Last-minute gasps by Sporting Kansas City in the five minutes of added time kept the game close, but ultimately Orlando prevailed 1-0 over their MLS affiliate.

Orlando City
Jamila St. Ann/Sporting KC

The win marked the club’s first-ever win over Sporting KC and advancement to the quarterfinal round of the US Open Cup. The quarterfinal opponent will be the winner of the Chicago Fire/Columbus Crew match, which was postponed until Thursday due to weather. The match will be held on Wednesday, June 26, at the opponent’s venue. The four Sporting loanees, including Dom Dwyer, Christian Duke, Yann Songo’o and Jon Kempin will be eligible barring a call-up from Kansas City.

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States and is open to United States Soccer Federation (USSF) affiliated teams. The Open Cup was first held in 1913, with this year marking the centennial edition of the tournament. This year’s field consisted of 68 teams, the largest field in US Open Cup history.

Orlando City Match Recap:

Team                      1    2    Final

Orlando City              1    0    1

Sporting KC               0    0    0

Scoring Summary:

ORL- Long Tan (Adama Mbengue) 2nd

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City- GK Miguel Gallardo, D Bryan Burke, Justin Clark (Oumar Diakhite 74”), Rob Valentino, Luke Boden, M James O’Connor, Anthony Pulis, Kevin Molino, Adama Mbengue (Freddie Braun 90’), F Long Tan, Dennis Chin (Erik Ustruck 71’)

Sporting KC- GK Eric Kronberg, D Kevin Ellis, Aurelien Collin, Ike Opara, Seth Sinovic, M Benny Feilhaber (Lawrence Olum 58’), Oriol Rosell, Paulo Nagamura, Josh Gardner (C.J. Sapong 46’) F Jacob Peterson (Teal Bunbury 76’), Claudio Bieler

Penalty Summary:

ORL- Anthony Pulis (Yellow) 71’

 Match Facts:

Time of Match: 8:30 p.m. EST

Weather: Clear

Attendance: 15,981

Orlando City Soccer - Weekly Review

About Orlando City Soccer Club:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.

 

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

LAST CHANCE To Purchase Advanced Discounted Tickets For D23 Expo 2013!

Purchase Your D23 Expo 2013 Tickets Today!

D23 Expo

D23 Expo 2013 Advanced Discount Ticket Prices End June 15, 2013!

The highly anticipated D23 Expo 2013: The Ultimate Fan Event returns to the Anaheim Convention Center from August 9 – 11, 2013, once again bringing the entire world of Disney under one roof and offering attendees unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks as only D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can! Visit www.D23Expo.com to buy tickets before the prices go up on June 16.

D23 Expo Pricing

Highlights of D23 Expo 2013 include:

  • Live Concerts including Disney Legends and Academy Award®-winning composers Richard Sherman and Alan Menken, as well as “Broadway and Beyond” featuring performances by Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid), Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan® and Aida), Josh Strickland (Tarzan®) and Alton Fitzgerald White (The Lion King).

D23 Expo Broadway and Beyond

  • Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives—an insider exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins, the ABC hit Once Upon a Time and Disney’s enduring exploration of the land of Oz with costumes, props, and set pieces.
D23 Expo
Bert’s carousel horse is one of the many Mary Poppins props and costumes that will be gliding into the new Treasures exhibit.
  • Disney Legends Awards–a stirring biennial event paying tribute to the talented men and women who have made indelible contributions to the Disney legacy.

D23 Expo

  • D23 Expo Dream Store and Silent Auction—a magical store featuring apparel, art, collectibles, and more Disney-inspired items. A rare Silent Auction offers attendees to bid on Disney artifacts, artwork, experiences, props, and more.

D23 Expo

  • 2013 Fan Art Contest—this year’s contest is themed to the upcoming 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins. Finalist artwork will be displayed in the Fan Art Gallery.

D23 Expo

  • And much more including celebrity appearances, panels and presentations, sneak peeks and unique experiences, all celebrating the past, present, and future of Disney.

D23 Expo

In 2011, celebrity appearances included Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Garner, Dick Van Dyke, Willem Dafoe, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Jason Segel, Tom Bergeron, Jodi Benson, Lea Salonga, Anika Noni Rose, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer and Sean Astin, along with Disney executives and creative talent.

Find more details on prices and announcements at the D23 Expo website:

www.D23Expo.com.

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

Palma Sola Botanical Park

Sunday afternoon I decided to take an hour to visit a place that would allow me to exercise my creative outlet via photography. Palma Sola Botanical Park in Bradenton is a beautiful park just minutes from the beaches of the Gulf Coast about an hour south of Tampa. The location is absolutely gorgeous, but this was only the second time I visited the gardens, the first being for a friend’s wedding three years ago.

I knew that rain was a possibility, but I opted to take the chance and headed off to the park despite the fact it was sprinkling as I left my house. The botanical park is only about ten minutes from my house, but by the time I arrived the skies opened up and there was a torrential downpour. After waiting out the rain and asking the rain gods for at least a half hour reprieve, the skies temporarily cleared enough for me to venture out with my DSLR.

The grounds at the park are fantastic and spread out over 10 acres of land. There are pavilions for hosting parties, and there was a birthday party going on while I was there. Gazebos and benches are scattered around the grounds providing shade and occasionally shelter from the storm. Paths wind around ponds leading you to explore the incredible flora the park offers. A great playground is also situated on one side of the park for the kids to burn off some steam.

I spent about an hour strolling around the park trying to capture the flowers and plants immediately after the rain, still glistening with drops. Some of the shots came out exactly as I had envisioned, while others didn’t quite come out the way I planned. I hope you will indulge me and enjoy the pictures I took around the park.

Palma Sola Botanical Park is a great way to spend an hour or so, or even for a special event. The grounds are gorgeously maintained and provide a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of every day life. If you get an opportunity, take a drive and come visit this free park in Bradenton.

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram