ORLANDO CITY SC vs WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS
LEGION STADIUM, Wilmington, NC
August 28, 2014 (Week 24)
7:30 p.m. ET (live-streamed via YouTube.com/WilmHammerheadsFC)

Orlando City (17-3-4, 55 points)

The Lions head into Thursday’s match with a 4-3-2 all-time record against the Wilmington Hammerheads.

Team News

• Orlando City holds a 15–point advantage over the Hammerheads, who are on the cusp of the playoff race.

• A win against Wilmington puts the Lions three points shy of clinching their third Regular Season Title.

• Thursday’s fixture marks the end of OCSC’s current three game road-trip, with the Lions set to return home on Sunday, August 31 for a match-up with the Dayton Dutch Lions.

Last Match

• It didn’t take long for newly-added Lion, Estrela, to make his presence known for Orlando City. The defensive midfielder opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a powerful volley from just outside the box, sparking one of Orlando’s best offensive road performances.

• Early in the second half, Midfielder Kevin Molino doubled Orlando’s lead with a magnificent finish to break the USL PRO single-season scoring record (16).

• Richmond pulled one back, however, when former Lion George Davis IV cut into City’s lead one minute after Molino’s finish.

• In the 70th minute, Rafael Ramos also found the back of the net on his debut with the Lions, beating two defenders to slide his shot just inside the near-post.

• The Kickers made a final push in the waning moments of the game when Nate Robinson tucked away Davis IV’s cross.

• Nevertheless, City was able to hold off Richmond’s late surge,
securing a valiant 3-2 road victory.

• Lineup (4-4-2): Miguel Gallardo – Rafael Ramos, Rob Valentino, Brad Rusin, Tyler Turner – Darwin Cerén, Estrela, Adama Mbengue, Kevin Molino (Tommy Redding 85) – Corey Hertzog (Austin da Luz 45), Dennis Chin (Giuseppe Gentile 71)

Wilmington Hammerheads (7-7-9, 30 points)

Wilmington currently sits in 10th place in the league standings, tying Arizona United and Charlotte with 30 points. All three clubs are intensely vying for the final USL PRO playoff berth.

Team News

• Wilmington acquired Mark-Anthony Kaye on loan from MLS affiliate Toronto FC on Aug. 22. So far the striker has appeared in both games since his arrival to North Carolina, recording his a goal and an assist against Los Dos.

• On Aug. 21, Head Coach David Irving decided to step down after a mutual agreement with the Club. The Hammerheads are now under the supervision of Technical Director Carson Porter and General Manager Jason Arnold.

Last Match

• Wilmington had a turbulent start in the opening portion of its most recent game, falling behind 2-0 to LA Galaxy II early in the second half.

• With their backs against the wall, the Hammerheads increased its pressure in the attacking third, scoring three unanswered goals in the span of nine minutes.

• However, Wilmington was unable to maintain the lead to the final whistle, as LA managed to level the match deep into stoppage time.

• Lineup (3-3-4): Bradley Stuver – Troy Cole (Manny Apricio 67), Christian Davidson, Ashani Fairclough – Brian Ackley, Drew Ruggles, Ross Tomaselli – Cody Arnoux (Samuel Ochoa 67), Corben Bone, Marc Godelman (Mark-Anthony Kaye 40), Sunny Jane (Steven Miller 88)

Head-to-Head

All-Time (9 meetings): Lions 4 wins, 22 goals … Hammerheads 2 wins, 15 goals … 3 Ties
AT WILMINGTON (3 meetings): Lions 1 win, 7 goals … Hammerheads 1 win, 7 goals … 1 Tie