Written by Will Ogburn
Lately it seems the schedule has been an emotional rollercoaster rather than a linear path for the USL Pro’s first place team. The current road trip has brought Orlando City some of its toughest competition in league play. In just three days time, City experienced both their worst loss and their most significant victory of the season.
The loss, a 0-2 defeat against the Charlotte Eagles was the first loss to Charlotte in club history. The Eagles, who were routed by Orlando City 7-4 in last years USL Pro championship, had almost equaled that score in their first two meetings with the Lions this season, losing by a combined 7-2.
As for the win, it may prove more crucial than the loss. Orlando City traveled to Richmond on August 23rd and came home with a 3-2 win in their first meeting with the Kickers this season. The Kickers captured last season’s Commissioners Cup, given to the first place team at the end of the regular season. It was one of the few team accolades that Orlando City was unable to secure en route to their championship. With only four games left in the regular season and the playoffs fast approaching, OCSC holds a relatively safe six point lead over Richmond with one fewer game played. This win puts more pressure on the Kickers, who will end their season at Orlando City on September 6th.
As if those two games weren’t enough action for the away stand, Orlando City rebounded from that tremendous win to lose 1-3 at Wilmington on Thursday the 28th. It was their second meeting with the Hammerheads on the season, the first being a win on July 12th. The Lions will have an opportunity to win the season series when they travel back to Wilmington on September 3rd for the third match between the two clubs.
The next challenge for Orlando City will be to regroup at home against Dayton on the 31st. This will be no easy task, as the Dutch Lions bring a true weapon in forward Aaron Schoenfeld. Schoenfeld, on loan from the Columbus Crew of the MLS, has already notched 12 goals in 18 games. That puts him in fourth place in the USL; four behind OCSC star Kevin Molino in six fewer games. This will surely be a shooter’s duel between the two great scorers – with Schoenfeld playing great in limited action, and Molino setting the USL Pro record for goals this season and leading by a wide margin in points as well.
Despite the recent troubles, Orlando City is still undefeated at home. All of the Lions’ four losses this season have come on the road. This matchup will be an opportunity to work out some of the issues of the past weeks while fine-tuning the roster for the playoffs. Among those that could see an increased roll are recent signees Estrella and Rafael Ramos, both of whom scored against the Kickers in Richmond.
Dayton is currently set to play spoiler, as their 6-16 record is last in the league. The team is not without significant talent, however, as they have several key pieces that could make things dangerous for the Lions in Purple. In addition to Schoenfeld, the Dayton attacking line features Jesjua Angoy-Cruyff, grandson of one of the greatest footballers of all time, Johan Cruyff of Ajax and Barcelona fame. The Dayton keeper, Matt Williams, leads the league in saves. Also, defender Matt Wiet, on loan from Columbus as well, has a future in MLS.
With the season so close to its completion, each match could determine seeding. This is where champions are made.