Photographer: Raul Sosa
Written By: Raul Sosa Orlando FL - Orlando City SC won their first game with a score of 3-2 over Ponte Preta FC at the renovated Citrus Bowl. Despite tonight’s game was a friendly against the legendary Ponte Preta FC from Brazil, 20,501 loyal fans assisted to the stadium and supported the purple lions that gave their fans a night to remember. The scorers for Orlando were: Rochez (45’), St. Ledger (55’) and Larín (90’). On the other hand, Tiago Alves (12’) and Renato Caja (59’) scored for Ponte Preta FC. It was a tight game from start to end. Although Ponte Preta FC was the visitor this evening, they opted for possession and high pressure near Orlando’s penalty box. Little by little, bit-by-bit, Ponte Preta cornered Orlando City SC onto their own penalty box hoping to score a goal. As a result, Orlando committed up to 7 fouls only on the first half of the game. It was in one of those free kicks when Tiago Alves scored for Ponte Preta FC with a beautiful header at the 12th minute of the first half. From this point, Orlando knew they had to seek the equalizer but they appeared to fall onto Ponte Preta’s possession game all over again. Consequently, Orlando’s keeper (Edwards Jr.), clipped forward #7 Rildo and committed a penalty kick granted to Ponte Preta at the 31st minute of the game. Fortunately for him, Earl Edwards Jr. saved the penalty and gave Orlando new hopes to seek the equalizer. At the last dying minutes of the 1st half, Orlando made a gorgeous cross coming from a corner kick and Bryan Rochez scored with a powerful header. It was the equalizer they were seeking and that was the end of the first 45 minutes. The second half was way more intense than the first one. This time both teams were seeking the tiebreaker from start to end. It seems that Orlando City SC focused their trainings on laboratory set pieces, as St. Ledger scored for Orland the 2nd of the night with another cross and a header coming from a corner kick at the 55th minute. When everything was joy and chanting at the Citrus Bowl due to the positive score (2-1), 4 minutes later Renato Caja from Ponte Preta converted a delightful free kick over the barrier and tied things up once again. The game became long and boring as both teams didn’t want to risk due to the fear of losing. It was until the 90th minute when Cyle Larin fell inside the penalty box. The referee granted the penalty and Cyle himself converted with a nice touch to the right of the net, converting the final score to 3-2 for Orlando City SC over Ponte Preta FC. |
Raul SosaCurrently majoring in Entertainment Business at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL, Raul has been with the SkyBoat since February of 2015. Raul is originally from El Salvador. Archives
October 2015
Categories |