photo: Allison Petro

Midfielder Brian Span made his debut for Orlando City against the Charleston Battery this past Saturday and did so in thrilling fashion. 

After entering the game in the 57th minute, Span would introduce himself to the home crowd when he found the back of the net roughly 15 minutes into his debut appearance.

Span was able to place his name on the score-sheet when Adama Mbengue sent a driven ball across the box that deflected to the F.C. Dallas loanee. Span calmly took a touch to provide some space for himself, before blasting a powerful effort with his left foot to provide the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over the visiting Charleston Battery.

“I just wanted to play and help the team anyway that I can,” Span said. “I wasn’t able to play the first game, but I had to keep working hard to get my opportunity and when I did, I had to finish it.”

For Span, a goal and three points secured was the perfect debut for his Orlando City career. The powerful midfielder, who earned the nickname Cobi for his speed and size- similar to that of former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Cobi Jones- was rewarded for the hard work he’s been putting in on the training grounds.

“I was pleased for him,” Head Coach Adrian Heath said on Monday after training. “I’m a firm believer of – you get out of life what you put into it, and he’s been working extremely hard. I’m glad that he was rewarded for his performance with a goal.”

The F.C. Dallas loanee arrived in Orlando on April 2 after spending the previous two seasons with the Swedish club Djurgårdens IF. In only a few training sessions, Span has shown Head Coach Adrian Heath what he has capable of and, as a result, was brought on early in the second half by the Englishman in only his second game with Orlando.

“He’s been working really hard in training,” Heath continued. “Even in training it looks like he wants to score a goal and that’s never a bad trait to have. He’s knocking on the door to force his way into the starting lineup.”

In the coming week, City is set to face the FC Dallas Reserves during one of the club’s off-weeks in the USL PRO. Luckily for City and Span, the midfielder is eligible to face his current MLS club.

Playing soccer for Span is a job, so he’s trying not to think too much into playing against the team he spent weeks training with for MLS preseason

“I don’t know who is going to play exactly, but I’m going to know all the guys,” Span elaborated. “It’s a pretty big friendly match for me. It’s going to be fun playing against a team where you know everybody.”

“Anytime you face your former club, there is always a big incentive to go out and show the people you should still deserve to be there,” Heath added. “Hopefully he can do really well with us this year.”