Story By: Will Ogburn
Orlando, FL- Orlando City took the field at the Wide World of Sports Complex against the Eagles of Charlotte looking to defend its longest winning streak since 2012. This was the first game of a four game home stand for the Lions after their short trip to Arizona where they won 1-0 on an own goal. Fireworks were expected, as the last meeting between these two clubs saw a 7-4 shootout with the Lions prevailing and hoisting the USL PRO trophy.
In a first half where possession ebbed and flowed like the tides, the difference came in goal. Brock Duckworth, Charlotte’s keeper, looked up to the task in the 6th minute of play when he stopped Orlando’s early advance. When the tide reversed momentum, Miguel Gallardo showed why he’s one of the best in the league with a clutch save. Things wouldn’t be as sunny for Duckworth the second time around. At 10’, he made the first save but became the victim of a rebound goal by Kevin Molino. That would be the first of a historic night for the Trinidadian. With the score at 1-0, the Eagles tried to respond. However, their advance at 17’ was stifled by a volleyball-style save by Gallardo. After a shot off the post by Orlando, Gallardo was called to action again. His diving save kept the Eagles scoreless, and the ensuing Orlando possession led to Molino’s second goal of the night at 29’. In the 36th minute, Gallardo continued his performance, jumping in the air with ferocity to keep perfect on the half.
The beginning of the second half saw the return of Duckworth as Brock the Rock held fast against the currents of Orlando’s front line. Again and again they came, first Mbengue, then Hertzog, then Mbengue again, and Boden to top it off. By 66’, Duckworth was putting on a show. When the 77th minute came, however, it was Molino’s turn. A little tap-in by the forward capped off his first hat trick since college league. When asked what provoked his scoring streak, Molino responded “The Hunger. The hunger to get goals and to score and be one of the top players in the league.” He says that the hunger will come with him to the MLS. “At the end of the day, it’s a much tougher league and I have to go in with a different mindset.” When Gentile banged in Charlotte’s only goal of the day three minutes later, the outcome was hardly in question. Orlando City cruised out the final minutes of play with their eyes set on staying healthy for Friday.
Coach Adrian Heath, usually his team’s harshest critic, seemed satisfied with their efforts against the Eagles. “I thought that [today] we were very good in periods. People think I ask for too much, but we haven’t really put a full ninety minutes together yet.” He said that he was pleased with his team’s effort and the pace that they played with. “We try and take people out of their comfort zone, make them play quicker than they need to. I think for an hour we did that.” Coach Heath’s team will look to take AS Roma out of their comfort zone this Friday during their international friendly at the Wide World of Sports.
In a first half where possession ebbed and flowed like the tides, the difference came in goal. Brock Duckworth, Charlotte’s keeper, looked up to the task in the 6th minute of play when he stopped Orlando’s early advance. When the tide reversed momentum, Miguel Gallardo showed why he’s one of the best in the league with a clutch save. Things wouldn’t be as sunny for Duckworth the second time around. At 10’, he made the first save but became the victim of a rebound goal by Kevin Molino. That would be the first of a historic night for the Trinidadian. With the score at 1-0, the Eagles tried to respond. However, their advance at 17’ was stifled by a volleyball-style save by Gallardo. After a shot off the post by Orlando, Gallardo was called to action again. His diving save kept the Eagles scoreless, and the ensuing Orlando possession led to Molino’s second goal of the night at 29’. In the 36th minute, Gallardo continued his performance, jumping in the air with ferocity to keep perfect on the half.
The beginning of the second half saw the return of Duckworth as Brock the Rock held fast against the currents of Orlando’s front line. Again and again they came, first Mbengue, then Hertzog, then Mbengue again, and Boden to top it off. By 66’, Duckworth was putting on a show. When the 77th minute came, however, it was Molino’s turn. A little tap-in by the forward capped off his first hat trick since college league. When asked what provoked his scoring streak, Molino responded “The Hunger. The hunger to get goals and to score and be one of the top players in the league.” He says that the hunger will come with him to the MLS. “At the end of the day, it’s a much tougher league and I have to go in with a different mindset.” When Gentile banged in Charlotte’s only goal of the day three minutes later, the outcome was hardly in question. Orlando City cruised out the final minutes of play with their eyes set on staying healthy for Friday.
Coach Adrian Heath, usually his team’s harshest critic, seemed satisfied with their efforts against the Eagles. “I thought that [today] we were very good in periods. People think I ask for too much, but we haven’t really put a full ninety minutes together yet.” He said that he was pleased with his team’s effort and the pace that they played with. “We try and take people out of their comfort zone, make them play quicker than they need to. I think for an hour we did that.” Coach Heath’s team will look to take AS Roma out of their comfort zone this Friday during their international friendly at the Wide World of Sports.