ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Soccer Club heads west for the first time in franchise history this weekend.  The Lions will face off with the LA Blues in a two game series on Friday, July 6, and Sunday, July 8.  Both matches will be broadcast on USLNation.com with kickoffs slated for 10:30 p.m. EST and 8:00 p.m. EST respectively.

The Lions and Blues have met once so far this season.  Back on May 24, City and LA played to a 1-1 draw at the Citrus Bowl.  Both goals were scored in the first 30 minutes, turning the remainder of the match into a defensive struggle.  Since that match, the two clubs have gone in opposite directions.  The Blues are just 2-4-0 after the draw, and have lost their last three matches.  The Lions are 3-1-2, but have also drawn their last two matches.

Orlando’s run of form has kept the Lions in the driver’s seat in USL PRO.  The side holds a four point lead on Charleston for the top spot.  By contrast, LA’s poor run of form has seen them fall out of the playoff picture to seventh place.  With the Blues just one place and two points out of the playoffs, expect the Blues to be motivated to change their recent form against the reigning champs.

Orlando City will be motivated as well.  The Lions have earned points in their recent matches, but Head Coach Adrian Heath has made it clear that he expects more from his squad.  The Lions dominated possession and play in their last two draws, but struggled to find the final ball.  The Lions have worked on finishing this week and are looking to add to their league-leading 28 goals.

Normally, travel would be a factor in this weekend’s series.  Fortunately for Orlando, the Blues have been on the road, making a swing through the Carolinas and Virginia for three matches.  Their last match, a 1-0 loss, took place in Richmond, Va., against the Kickers.  As a result, the Blues are on virtually the same travel schedule as the Lions, and have had fewer opportunities for training.  This should even the playing field in regards to the wear and tear the travel normally brings to teams throughout USL PRO.

Player to Watch - Matt Luzunaris:

Forward Matt Luzunaris has been City’s go-to goal scorer in recent weeks.  Since returning from illness, the striker has scored in three of his last four matches.  His emergence as a scoring threat has lessened the load for the squad’s leading scorer, Dennis Chin, and has opened up options for Heath to play with formations.  Look for the on-form Luzunaris to make a lot of noise in Southern California this weekend.