ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando City U23s return to regular season action this Saturday, May 19, against the Panama City Beach Pirates at the Seminole Soccer Complex. Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m.

The U23s were recently knocked out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by National Premier Soccer League-side Jacksonville United FC. Jacksonville United, the reigning NPSL champions, scored two goals in the final ten minutes of the game to win the match by a score of 2-1.

“The (Jacksonville United) game was a huge learning experience,” said Orlando City U23s Head Coach Joe Avallone. “We will learn from what happened and move forward.”

Over the last two days in training, Orlando has concentrated on the final third of play. During the match against Jacksonville, the U23s had multiple chances to score goals and ultimately put the game away. Avallone talked about the work his team has done and the mindset they have for Saturday.

“Even though we controlled a high percentage of the match (against Jacksonville), we failed to score goals when we needed to. We put in a lot of work on the final third and I think everyone will see a good product against Panama. We’re moving forward and the boys have the right mind to get back into the groove of the season.”

The Panama City Beach Pirates recently joined the PDL in 2012, becoming the eighth and final member of the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference. The Pirates are coached by Greg DeVito, who played eight seasons in the PDL and USL Professional Division. He is also a local youth and Florida Olympic Development Program coach, mentoring youth soccer players in the Florida Panhandle.

The match against Orlando will be Panama’s regular-season opener, as they are the only team in the Southeast Division who hasn’t played a regular season match in 2012.

City currently stands in third place in the division with a record of 1-0-1 and four points. Both clubs trail the Ocala Stampede and IMG Bradenton Academics, who have records of 2-0-1.

Tickets for all Orlando City U23s matches start at $5 for kids 16 and below, with admission for adults 17 and up just $10. Tickets are available at the gate before every home match. For more information on the U23s match and more, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com

Player to Watch- Ryan Griffin:

Midfielder Ryan Griffin has started every match for the U23s since the 2012 season began on May 4. Griffin, a recent graduate from the University of Tampa, has played the full 180 minutes in the first two regular season matches and all 90 minutes of the US Open Cup defeat to Jacksonville. The Brandon, Fla, native has one goal on the season, scoring in the 45th minute in the 6-0 win over Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy last Friday.

Available Roster:

Moses Aduny, Johan Bergfeld, Ricardo Campbell, Oumar Diakhite, David Graydon, Will Frandsen, Ryan Griffin, Ezequiel Pedraza, Joseph Toby, Steven Williams, Sean Reynolds, Chip Saunders, Anthony Arico, Keneil Baker, Jonathan Mendoza, Louis Ojeco, Nicolas Russo.