Photo: Mark Thor

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City SC (16-4-6, 54 points, No. 2 seed) host the Charleston Battery (13-7-6, 45 points, No. 3 seed) on Friday, August 30, in the USL PRO Semifinals at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Kickoff for the game is set for 7:30 p.m. as the Lions look to get back to the USL PRO Championship for the first time since 2011.

“It is win or go home,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Charleston has enough weapons on their team to make it difficult for us. But as I’ve said on numerous occasions, I’m more concerned with how we approach the game.”

The Lions enter the Semifinals after blanking the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 5-0 this past Saturday. Forward Long Tan scored his first brace of the season, while strong performances by fellow Forward Dennis Chin and Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo added to the emphatic victory.

Orlando and Charleston have met twice this season, with the Lions holding a 1-0-1 (W-L-T) advantage. During their two meetings in July, Orlando drew 1-1 at Blackbaud Stadium before topping Charleston 1-1 in front of 8,729 supporters in Central Florida just a week later.

Charleston advanced past the Quarterfinal round of the postseason by knocking off the LA Blues 2-1. Forward Dane Kelly and Midfielder Michael Azira put the Battery up 2-0 in the early stages of the game. A late rally by the Blues was not enough to top the 2012 USL PRO Champions.

Counting Saturday’s victory, the Lions are 4-1-0 in postseason play in franchise history. The sole loss came last season in the Semifinals to the Wilmington Hammerheads, with Orlando falling 4-3 to the visiting side. The Lions won the 2011 USL PRO Championship on penalty kicks over the Harrisburg City Islanders.

Tickets for the playoff game are available by calling (855) ORL-CITY. For more information on Friday’s Semifinal match, stay tuned to OrlandoCitySoccer.com.