Scoring Summary:
OCA- Kyle Breitmeyer (Christian Blandon) 11’
OCA- Kyle Breitmeyer (Bruno Castro) 23’
ORL- Junior Pre’Valus (Jehov Pardo de Figueroa) 35’
OCA- Ben Knight (Bruno Castro) 70’
OCA- Verneri Valimaa (Corey Moret) 87’
OCA- Corey Moret (Bruno Castro) 89’

Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City U23s- GK Tomas Gomez, D Michael Millay (Nick Sowers 72’), Andrew Clare, Cole Seiler, Tom Skelly, M Troy Peterson (Evan Greenbaum 58’), Derek McCaffrey (Jowayne Laidley 65’), Tyler Blackwood, Itode Fubara, F Jehov Pardo de Figueroa (Michael Annarumma 46’), Junior Pre’Valus

Ocala Stampede- GK Scott Sotarik, D Ben Knight, Liam Gourlay, Rafael Alves, Samuel Dwininck, M Bruno Castro, William Tice (Verneri Valimaa 46’), Stephen Walmsley, Christian Blandon, F Kenneth Hogg (Cory Moret 86’), Kyle Breitmeyer (Kevin Ireland 72’)

Penalty Summary:
Tomas Gomez (Yellow Card) 56’
Verneri Valimaa (Yellow Card) 86’

Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7:00 p.m. EST
Weather: -- Clear

Orlando City U23s Suffer 5-1 Defeat to Ocala Stampede
Lions concede two goals early, unable to secure a point

OCALA, Fla.— The Orlando City U23s suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Ocala Stampede on Saturday June, 29, at Trinity High School in Ocala, Fla. The Lions conceded two goals early in the first half and were unable to secure a point in a crucial Southeast Division match.

“With the way we play, if you pass the ball and take care of it then we’ll be successful,” said U23s Head Coach Paul Shaw after the loss. “But when you give the ball away in bad areas then it gives teams the opportunity to catch you on the break, and I think we did that for four out of their five goals tonight.”

Ocala took an early lead in the 11th minute when the U23s got caught by a Stampede counter-attack. After sending numerous players forward, Ocala had an advantageous three-on-two situation, and Midfielder Christian Blandon played Striker Kyle Breitmeyer in the open space. Breitmeyer controlled the pass well and fired his effort past Lions Goalkeeper Tomas Gomez.

The Stampede would another to their tally just moments later, when Breitmeyer once again found the back of the net in the 23rd minute of play. Breitmeyer was played in behind by Midfielder Bruno Castro, and wasted very little time before placing the ball away to give the Stampede a two-goal advantage midway through the first half.

Stemming from the Stampede’s second goal, the U23s began to increase their intensity level and would create their first chance of the match. In the 35th minute, Midfielder Jehov Pardo de Figueroa received the ball on the left-hand side of the pitch, and played a probing cross towards the near-post. Striker Junior Pre’Valus, who made his first start of the season, darted in front of Stampede Goalkeeper Scott Sotarik, and placed the ball into the back of the net.

The remaining ten minutes of the first half featured both sides exchanging chances, but neither side was able to add another goal to their tally heading into halftime. After the break, the Lions began the second half with a difficult start- when the referee awarded the Stampede a penalty in the 55th minute.

Gomez was the culprit as the assistant referee claimed that the Georgetown product brought down Breitmeyer inside the six-yard box.

Striker Kenneth Hogg stepped up to take the penalty for Ocala but Gomez guessed the right way, and coordinated a brilliant save to keep the Lions within reach. However, Ocala would respond just as the Lions seemed to gain a bit of momentum midway through the second half.

In the 70th minute, Midfielder Bruno Castro set the ball for Defender Ben Knight who made an overlapping run down the left-hand side of the field. Knight courageously ventured into the Lions’ penalty area and blasted his effort past Gomez on the near-post, giving Ocala a 3-1 lead.

The U23s continued to make a relentless effort to get back into the match, but their over zealousness seemed to backfire. In the 87th minute, the Stampede sent four players on a counter-attack against Lion Defender Cole Seiler, who was left alone due to the U23s pushing everyone forward. Midfielder Veneri Valimaa received the ball in space and tucked it beneath a charging Gomez.

Shortly afterwards, Ocala substitute Cory Moret added another for the Stampede in the 90th minute, resulting in a 5-1 loss for the Orlando City U23s. The Lions will travel to play Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy on Wednesday, July 3, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. The match on Wednesday will mark the first time both clubs have met this season.

For more information, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com

About Orlando City Soccer Club:
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.

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