Orlando City SC Win Gives Them Home Advantage

Orlando City SC
Photo: Orlando City SC

Orlando City SC Captures Home Field Advantage for First 2014 USL PRO Playoff Match, Molino ties USL PRO Goal ​Scoring Record

Playoff Tickets available at www.OrlandoCitySC.com or 855-ORL-CITY

 

Despite conceding an early goal, a brilliant free kick in the 8th minute by M Darwin Cerén led Orlando City SC (16-2-4, 52 points) to an eventual 3-1 victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders (8-9-6, 30 points) before a sold-out crowd at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.

F Kevin Molino recorded his 15th tally, tying former Lion and current Sporting KC star Dom Dwyer and Jose Angulo of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds for the USL PRO single season goal scoring record, with six matches remaining.

Tonight’s win extended City’s USL PRO home unbeaten streak to 17 fixtures and – more importantly – secured home field advantage for the Lion’s first 2014 USL PRO playoff match scheduled for September 13.  Tickets are available for purchase at www.OrlandoCitySC.com or 855-ORL-CITY.

The action started quickly as Harrisburg’s Robbie Derschang was able to slip a shot past Gallardo for the game’s first goal in the 6th minute.  Cerén’s curling delivery from 40 yards away snuck into the far post two minutes later leveling the field. In the 18th minute, Molino and Corey Hertzog developed a crafty 1-2 into the box, where the Trinidadian finished the play by chipping it over the oncoming ‘keeper.

Molino was humble when asked about tying the goal scoring record, “What’s most important for me is the team. If any records come after that, I will accept them but for now I just want to be focused on what we have to do to win the league.”

City created a number of opportunities throughout the game, forcing Islander ‘Keeper Nick Noble to come up with a number of saves.  However, as Head Coach Adrian Heath addressed, it was a well deserved win for the Club: “It would have been a travesty if we had not have taken all three points.  We created a lot of chances and we played some really good football.

“If there’s one little thing I can pick at,” he added, “It’s the fact that we didn’t take enough of the chances.  At 2-1, there’s still a game on.  The game is never won.  You’re one mistake away from dropping a couple of points but fortunately Darwin got the third one and that saw us through.”

In the 89th minute, Cerén bags a brace after receiving a long pass, splitting two Harrisburg defenders and a diving Noble to secure the match for the Lions.

Orlando City is on the road for their next match, travelling to Charlotte to face the Eagles on August 20.

For more information on Orlando City SC, 2015 MLS Season Tickets or tickets to the Club’s remaining USL PRO home games, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY.  Also, follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via FacebookTwitterInstagram and YouTube.

Orlando City SC Match Recap:

Team                                  1    2    Final

Orlando City SC                  2    1     3

Harrisburg City Islanders    1    0     1 

Scoring Summary:

HAR: Robbie Derschang (Leo Fernandez) 6’

ORL: Darwin Cerén (Unassisted) 8’

ORL: Kevin Molino (Corey Hertzog) 19’

ORL: Darwin Cerén (Unassisted) 89’

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City SC – GK Miguel Gallardo, D Tyler Turner, Brad Rusin, Luke Boden, Rob Valentino, M Darwin Cerén, Harrison Heath (Aodhan Quinn 61), Kevin Molino (Tommy Redding 85), Adama Mbengue (Bitielo Jean Jacques 90), Brian “Cobi” Span (Austin da Luz 77), F Corey Hertzog (Dennis Chin 61)

Harrisburg City Islanders – GK Nicholas Noble, D Coady Andrews, Matthew Bahner, Raphael Cox, Richie Marquez, M Jose Barril, Leo Fernandes (Jamiel Hardware 78), Jason Pelletier, Zach Pfeffer (Clesio Bauque 64), Robbie Derschang (Garret Pettis 82), Antoine Hoppenot (Cristhian Hernandez 85)

Disciplinary Summary:

ORL: Brad Rusin 41

ORL: Harrison Heath 43

HAR: Raphael Cox 66

ORL: Tyler Turner 83

Match Facts:

Time of Match: 7:30 p.m. EST

Weather: — Clear

Orlando City SC

About Orlando City SC:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team. The club will begin play in MLS in 2015, becoming the league’s 21st club. The Lions’ first team has won two USL PRO regular season titles and two postseason championships and will continue play in USL PRO in 2014 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Outside of the first squad, OCSC also has a youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U-23 team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com and www.OrlandoCityYouth.org.

 

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Author: Shelley

When she isn't chasing her chihuahuas, daughter, or cheering for her Hokies you can find Shelley On the Go in the Central Florida Area and on-air with WDBO News 96.5 on Friday evenings!

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