ORLANDO CITY SC vs CHARLOTTE EAGLES
Queens University, Charlotte, NC
August 20, 2014 (Week 23)
7:00 p.m. ET (live-streamed via YouTube.com/CharlotteEaglesSC)

Wednesday’s match against Charlotte provides another opportunity for OCSC to gain additional points and extend its lead in the league standings. Over the past four years, Orlando has seen much success against the Eagles with the Lions upholding an imposing 7-0-2 all-time record over the North Carolina-based side.

Orlando City

City’s 3-1 win over the Harrisburg City Islanders propelled the Lions three points clear of the Richmond Kickers with two games in hand.

Last Match

• Islanders’ Striker Robbie Derschang opened the scoring in the sixth minute of play, marking his third goal in two games against the Lions.

• However, Darwin Cerén immediately responded two minutes later with a curling free-kick from well outside the area.

• Midway through the first half, Midfielder Kevin Molino doubled Orlando’s advantage with a clever chip over Harrisburg Goalkeeper Nicholas Noble.

• Cerén notched a brace in the 89th minute for the final goal of the game when the Salvadorian ventured on an arduous run before slotting the ball into the back of the net.

• Lineup (4-2-3-1): Miguel Gallardo – Luke Boden, Rob Valentino, Brad Rusin, Tyler Turner – Darwin Cerén, Harrison Heath (Aodhan Quinn 61) – Brian Span (Austin da Luz 77), Kevin Molino (Tommy Redding 85), Adama Mbengue (Bitielo Jean Jacques 90) – Corey Hertzog (Dennis Chin 61)

Team News

• Cerén’s brace were the first two goals of his career in USL PRO. The defensive midfielder’s first goal for the Lions came against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second leg of the I-4 Derby.

• After making his debut against Charlotte earlier this month, Harrison Heath made his first professional start for the rematch against Harrisburg.

• Molino’s 15th goal of the season tied the USL PRO goal scoring record. With six games remaining on the schedule, the Trinidadian still has time to break the league record set by Dom Dwyer and Jose Angulo in 2013.

• Miguel Gallardo saved three of four shots faced on Saturday night, allowing the Mexican International to pick up his league-leading 16th win for the 2014 campaign.

Charlotte Eagles

Charlotte picked up its eighth win of 2014 campaign, defeating Rochester 3-1 this past weekend. As the league table currently stands, the Eagles sit three points outside of the playoff race.

 
Last Match  

• Jorge Herrera’s penalty in the first half provided the first goal of the game. Herrera’s finish was his eighth goal of the season.

• With both ‘keepers making brilliant saves throughout the match, the next goal wouldn’t take place until the 82nd minute when Forward Zak Boggs doubled Charlotte’s lead.

• Charlotte Goalkeeper Alec Kahn failed to preserve the clean-sheet when Rochester’s Onua Obasie cut into the hosts’ advantage two minutes later.

• Moments before the final whistle, Boggs scored a second to put the final score-line at 3-1.

• Lineup (4-4-2): Alec Kahn – Jonny Leathers, J.J. Greer, Bilal Duckett, Ben Newnam – Asante Gideon (Gui Brandao 76), Juan Guzman (Owusu Sekyere 24), Richard Dixon, Drew Russell (Drew Yates 50) – Jorge Herrera (Tolani Ibikunie 80), Wells Thompson (Zak Boggs 73)

Team News

• The Eagles have lost the second most matches at home in USL PRO (6). However, Charlotte has won their last two home matches by a margin of 5-1.

• Yates recorded his eighth assist against Rochester, tying former Lion and current Sacramento Republic FC player Rodrigo Lopez Alvarez.
 

Head-to-Head

All-Time (9 meetings): Lions 7 wins, 21 goals … Eagles 0 wins, 8 goals … 2 Ties
AT CHARLOTTE (3 meetings): Lions 2 wins, 4 goals … Eagles 0 wins, 1 goal … 1 Tie

2014 (USL PRO)

5/21: ORL 3, CHA 1 (Molino 11, 31, 77 – Gentile 79)
8/2: ORL 4, CHA 1 (Chin 45; Turner 48; Molino 51, 60 – Thompson 75)

• The most recent victory over Charlotte clinched City’s fourth straight playoff berth.

• Dennis Chin broke the ice just before halftime after good build-up play from the Lions.

• Three minutes into the start of the second half, Cerén’s free-kick connected with Tyler Turner for the rookie’s first professional goal.