Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City 2 2 4
Los Angeles Blues 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
OC – Dennis Chin (Jamie Watson) 7
OC - Dennis Chin (Jean Alexandre) 17
OC - Jean Alexandre (Matt Luzunaris) 70
OC - Matt Luzunaris (Jamie Watson) 78
Misconduct Summary:
LA – Israel Sesay (Caution; Reckless Foul) 37
OC - Luke Boden (Caution; Professional Foul) 76
OC - Matt Luzunaris (Caution; Dissent) 86
Lineups:
Orlando City – Miguel Gallardo, Luke Boden, Kieron Bernard, Erik Ustruck, Kyle Davies, Rodrigo Lopez (Justin Clark 83), Ian Fuller (James O’Connor 73), Kevin Molino (Charlie Campbell 71), Jamie Watson, Dennis Chin (Matt Luzunaris 68), Jean Alexandre (Adama Mbengue 71)
Los Angeles Blues – Jose Miranda, Israel Sesay, Cory Miller, Bryan Burke, Erlys Garcia (Brian Farber 76), Irving Garcia (Cheunyong Park 46), Allan Russell (Chad Bond 82), Carlos Borja (Ladislas Bushiri 82), Shea Spitz, George Davis (Matheau Hall 46), Matthew Fondy
Fullerton, Ca. - Orlando City Soccer Club completed a sweep of the LA Blues in dominant fashion on Sunday night at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton, winning 4-0. The win gives Orlando City 40 points on the season and a nine point lead at the top of the USL PRO table with seven matches remaining.
Another early goal gave the Lions the comfort of playing with the lead for much of the first half. In a stunning display of skill, Jamie Watson, still on the ground from a foul that was not called, whipped in a low cross through the LA defense in the seventh minute. Watson’s ball found Dennis Chin in stride, and the Oviedo native did the rest.
Chin and Watson nearly connected minutes later, but Chin’s chip sailed wide. He redeemed himself in the 17th minute by taking a Jean Alexandre through ball into space for a quick strike. The method of the pass aside, it was a near carbon-copy of his earlier goal.
City continued to press forward, playing confidently with a 2-0 lead. Late in the half, Kevin Molino and Chin found themselves in a two-on-one with Blues Goalkeeper Jose Miranda. Though Molino could have taken the shot himself, he laid off to Chin. As he readied his leg for the one-timer, Irving Garcia slid in to cut off the pass at the last gasp. The half ended without further fireworks.
The second half began with a tighter defensive back line for Los Angeles. As the half wore on, the Lions broke down the Blues defense bit by bit. LA finally cracked with a poor giveaway that fell to Matt Luzunaris. He quickly fed Jean Alexandre, who whipped a strike past a stunned Miranda.
Eight minutes later, Luzunaris got on the other side of the score sheet. Jamie Watson popped a superb ball over the back line of the Blues, giving Luzunaris nothing but the keeper to beat. He struck quickly, giving Miranda no chance to react. Luzunaris’ fifth goal of the season was his fourth in his last six games.
During the match, Orlando City’s James O’Connor reached a major career milestone. When O’Connor replaced Ian Fuller in the 73rd minute, he made his 500th first team appearance at the senior club level. O’Connor had made 484 appearances throughout England, including a stint in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion prior to joining Orlando City this season.
Next up for the Lions is a return home and a date with the second place Rochester Rhinos. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, at the Florida Citrus Bowl. A win would all but cement the Lions’ place at the top of the league in 2012. For tickets, call 855-ORL-CITY or visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com for more information.
