Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City U23s 1 0 1
IMG Academy 1 2 3
Scoring Summary:
ORL- Lucas Diniz (Andrew Brody) 34
IMG- Myles Englis (David Abidor) 43
IMG- David Abidor (Raul Gonzales) 55
IMG- Jesus Pineda (Unassisted) 60
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City U23s- G Cody Uzcategui, D Ian Svantesson, Skyler Russell (Michael Millay 69), Alex Norris, Noah Franke, M Victor Souto (John Nartowicz 86), Allan Sexius, Andrew Brody, F Tyler Blackwood (Sebastian Elney 63), Gorka Aperribay (Romario Williams 56), Lucas Diniz (Benji Michel 77)
IMG Academy- G Connor Sparrow (Marco Velez 46), D Mathew Gardner (Joseph Hutchinson 58), Konrad Kucharski , Mario Mesen , Jamie McGuinness (Jason Chapman 55), M David Abidor (Nuno Gourgel 69), Danny Valenciano , Jesus Pineda (Daniel Barboto 79), F Myles Englis , Ale Fritz (Isaiah Fergusson 62), Raul Gonzalez
Penalty Summary:
IMG- Danny Valenciano (Yellow Card) 53
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7:00 p.m. EST
Weather: -- Clear
Orlando City U23s Concede Three Unanswered Goals to Fall at Home
City drop their fourth straight loss in defeat to IMG Academy
Sanford, Fla. – After going ahead in the first half, Orlando City U23s (2-6-4, 10 points) would concede three unanswered goals to IMG Academy (5-6-2, 17 points) to fall 3-1 on Friday evening at the Seminole Soccer Complex for their fourth straight loss.
From the moment the starting whistle blew, both teams were on the attack. In the early goings of the match Forward Lucas Diniz and Midfielder Victor Souto challenged the opposing ‘keeper Connor Sparrow with shot attempts on target, but Sparrow was able to come up with both saves.
In the 22nd minute, Midfielder Jamie McGuinness was able to send a low driven ball across the frame of the goal to fellow Midfielder Danny Valenciano who was making a run into the box. Unfortunately for IMG, the midfielder wasn’t able to muster enough power onto his effort to make Orlando’s Cody Uzcategui uncomfortable as he came up with the save.
A couple of minutes later, IMG had a several chances from point blank range, but each time an Orlando defender was there to get in the way of the shot.
However, it was the U23s that would break the deadlock in the 34th minute. Midfielder Andrew Brody got loose down the left flank before sending in a cross in the direction of Diniz. The Brazilian native was able to latch onto the ball and deliver a well-struck shot through the legs of an IMG defender, leaving Sparrow with no chance to save Diniz’s third goal of the season.
The Lions had a chance to take two-goal advantage nearly three minutes later when Brody was taken down just inside the area. Forward Tyler Blackwood approached the spot and slotted in towards the bottom left corner. The only thing was that he hit it just a tad bit too hard as his shot hit the left post.
Blackwood’s miss would come back to haunt Orlando City just before halftime when IMG Academy leveled the game in the 43th minute. Midfielder David Abidor was able to run onto a loose ball and take a touch, allowing him an ample amount of space to deliver a cross towards the far post for simple tap in by Forward Myles English.
Unfortunately for Orlando, the second half was all IMG as the visitors began to dominate possession firing off shot after shot for while keeping Uzcategui on his toes with 12 shots during the ensuing 45 minutes.
IMG would go on to score two more goals in the 55th minute by Abidor and then five minutes later by Jesus Pineda.
The U23s return home on Wednesday, July 16 to face Southwest Florida Adrenaline before concluding their 2014 campaign at home two days later against the Floridians F.C., both games are scheduled to take place from the Seminole Soccer Complex with kick-off set for 7:00 p.m.
