Disney Pro Soccer Classic Match Preview: Lions vs. Union

02/05/2013 7:19 AM
By: Orlando City Public Relations

Orlando, Fla.—Orlando City kicks off the 2013 Disney Pro Soccer Classic (PSC) against Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union at the Wide World of Sports Complex on Saturday, February 9, at 6 p.m. The Lions look to make a statement against clubs who play at the highest level of the American soccer pyramid.

“It’s a chance to show everyone (at the MLS level) that we can compete,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Our boys have been training hard and we go in the tournament expecting results.”

The tournament will be broken into two separate groups, with Orlando competing against the Union Saturday night, Toronto FC on the 13th and Columbus Crew on the 16th. A final match will be played on the Disney Pro Soccer Classic Championship Day on February 23rd, with the opponent either Sporting Kansas City, DC United, Montreal Impact or the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies.


The Union and Lions have met twice previously, with Orlando yet to fall to the MLS side. The first match against Philadelphia was Orlando’s first-ever back in February of 2011, winning that matchup 1-0. City overcame an early deficit in the second meeting a year later, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

Orlando will be retaining a core of the 2012 regular season championship squad heading into the Disney tournament, including Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo, leading scorer Dennis Chin and Defender Rob Valentino. The Lions will also be fielding four-five trialists brought on by Heath and Assistant Head Coach Ian Fuller.

Philadelphia comes into the Pro Soccer Classic with a retooled coaching staff and roster. Union Head Coach John Hackworth is a Florida native, graduating from Dunedin High while moving to play collegiately at Brevard College and Wake Forest University. Hackworth served as an assistant to former coach Peter Nowak before being promoted to head coach officially on August 30. Philadelphia also recently parted ways with Midfielder Freddy Adu, starting fresh for the 2013 season.
 





Search Archive »

Browse by Year »

2014
2013
2012

Browse by Month »

January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012

Premium Sponsors