Photo: Mark Thor

ORLANDO, Fla.— After a two-game road trip, Orlando City SC (10-2-4, 34 points) comes back home for a match against the Charleston Battery (7-3-6, 27 points) on Thursday, July 11, at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The two squared off in Charleston, S.C., this past Friday, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

After having a goal advantage early in the second half on Friday, the Lions went down a man after Midfielder Adama Mbengue was shown a straight red card in the 63rd minute of play. Despite allowing a last-minute goal by Battery Midfielder Haviel Cordovez, Orlando still gained a key road point, moving three points clear of the second-place Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL PRO table.

The Lions will be without the services of Defender Bryan Burke, who suffered a broken leg against the Battery on Friday, July 5. The winger had played the third most minutes on the squad before being knocked out in the 8th minute of play. Orlando’s Kevin Molino (Trinidad & Tobago) and Jean Alexandre (Haiti) will also be unavailable for selection due to international duty, along with Adama Mbengue, as he was shown a red card in the club’s last match.

The top of the USL PRO table is as tight as it has been since season start, with the top four teams separated by only five points. Charleston currently stands in fifth place while Orlando remains in the top spot through 16 games played in 2013.