ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Soccer Club faces a battle at the top of the table on Saturday night as the first-place Lions welcome the second-place Rochester Rhinos in the first clash of the league’s top teams in 2012.  A win for City would widen the gap between them and the rest of the league, as well as put the Lions within two points of being the first team to lock up a playoff spot.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl.

The Lions come into the game riding a two game winning streak and a seven game unbeaten streak.  With playoff clinching opportunities in sight, Orlando City is focused and ready to take care of business.  A win would put the Lions within two points of guaranteeing a playoff spot and within five points of guaranteeing a bye in the first round.  Pending the results of other games this weekend, the Lions could cement a spot in the 2012 USL PRO playoffs with a win.

“We want to win the league,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath.  “We want to play playoff games at home.  That’s what we set out to do at the beginning of the season.  It’s in our hands at this point.  Tomorrow will go a long way in doing that, so that’s the importance of the game for us.”

Rochester comes into the match looking to break completely out of a slump they’ve been in since starting the season at 6-0.  Since their unbeaten streak was snapped on May 25 by Harrisburg, the Rhinos have won just three league games.  Two of those wins came last week against Antigua and Dayton, the teams at the bottom of the USL PRO table.  Still, three points are three points, and Rochester are showing signs that they’re turning their season around.

“They started like a house on fire, had a little stumble, but now they look as though they’re getting things back together,” said Heath.  “When I look back at my notes from the preseason, I thought all of the usual suspects would be at the top - ourselves, Rochester, and Charleston.  Those are the top three teams as we speak.  Jesse Myers has done a great job since taking over.  We know it’s going to be a tough game on Saturday.  We have to play well to get a result.”

Historically, the Lions have dominated the Rhinos in USL PRO play.  In three meetings in 2011, Orlando won the series 2-0-1.  The final match of the series carried particular significance for the 2012 season, as it is was Matt Luzunaris’ first match with the Lions while on loan from San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.  The on-fire striker has scored four goals in his last six games, and will be looking to make his journey to Orlando come full circle on Saturday night.

The Lions will be wearing special pink jerseys on Saturday to support Women Playing for T.I.M.E., a women’s cancer charity supported by Orlando Health.  The player-worn jerseys are currently being auctioned online, with all of the proceeds going to WPFT.  The online auctions end on Sunday, July 15, at Noon.  Pink jerseys will also be on sale at the merchandise booths and at Orlando Health hospital gift shops, with $10 from every jersey sold going to the charity. 

The match will be broadcast on USLNation.com and 740 The Game (740 AM Radio) in Orlando.  For more information on the pink jerseys, or to purchase tickets for the match call 855-ORL-CITY or visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com.

Player to Watch - Dennis Chin:

Dennis Chin has been Orlando City’s main goal-scorer so far this season, leading both the team and USL PRO with eight goals on the season.  He has done all of that filling in for Max Griffin.  Now that Griffin is on loan with the LA Blues, the pressure falls squarely on Chin’s shoulders.  He’s managed the pressure well so far this season.  Look for him to rise to the occasion and lead the Lions into the playoffs while becoming City’s first-ever double-digit goal-scorer.