Team                1 2 Final
Orlando City U23s    1 0 1
Mississippi Brilla   0 0 0

Scoring Summary:
ORL: Tyler Blackwood (unassisted) 27’

Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City U23s- Tomas Gomez, Michael Millay, Kyle Fisher, Andrew Clare, Tom Skelly, Derek McCaffrey, Itode Fubara, Paul Clowes, David Graydon, Daniel Barboto

Mississippi Brilla- Brendan Ledgeway, Austin Brown, Cedric Muteshi, Gregorio Pestana, Justin Roberts, Anteneh Lemma, Tom Gavin, Victor France, Martin Gonzalez, Fakhry Khulfan, Phillip Buffington

Match Facts:
Time of Match: 8:00 p.m. EST
Weather: Clear

Orlando City U23s Defeat Top Seeded Mississippi Brilla 1-0
Striker Tyler Blackwood scored seventh goal of season and remains league leader

CLINTON, MISS.— The Orlando City U23s defeated the Mississippi Brilla 1-0 Saturday night at Clinton High School, in Clinton, Mississippi. The Lions went up early in the match when Striker Tyler Blackwood scored his league-leading seventh goal of the season, and propelled the Lions to first place in the Southeast Division.

The Lions began the match as the aggressors and displayed an immense sense of confidence, stemming from their recent 5-0 win over Southwest Florida Adrenaline. In the 18th minute of play, Defender Tom Skelly charged down the right-hand side of the pitch and floated the ball into the box for Blackwood, who had his effort saved by Brilla Goalkeeper Brendan Ledgeway.

The U23s would continue to put pressure on Mississippi Brilla and would be rewarded for their efforts in the 27th minute, when Blackwood forced a catastrophic mistake in the Mississippi back-line. The lethal striker intercepted a sloppy pass from a Brilla defender, and slotted the ball home into the bottom corner, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead midway through the first-half.

Blackwood nearly converted again moments later, when the University of Tampa product saw his header ricochet off the post in the 35th minute of play. The Lions continued to coordinate a flurry of attacking plays through the first 45, but were only able to put one of those chances into in the back of the net prior.

The second half began differently as the Mississippi-based side were the better team in the opening minutes. Midfielders Joe Barber and Tom Gavin created several chances for the Brilla, causing continual problems for the Orlando City back-line.

However, U23s Head Coach Paul Shaw made several tactical substitutions which provided fresh legs and restored the Lions’ fluid style of play. Although they dominated possession, the Lions struggled to create many opportunities in the second 45, but sustained the Brilla chances well during the half.

The Mississippi side continued to battle in search of an equalizer but Gomez and the U23 defense remained intact, resulting in a 1-0 victory for the young Lions.

Moving forward, the Lions return home and will play their next two matches at Seminole Soccer Complex, in Sanford, Fla. The U23s face Ocala Stampede on June 14 and Southwest Florida Adrenaline on June 22. Both matches are set to kick-off at 7 p.m.