Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City 2 5 7
Stetson University 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
ORL- Luke Boden (Freddie Braun) 5’
ORL-Rob Valentino (Freddie Braun) 20’
ORL-Kevin Molino (unassisted) 53’
ORL-Adama Mbengue (penalty) 65’
ORL- (Stetson Own Goal) 69’
ORL- James O’Connor (unassisted) 73’
ORL- Jean Alexandre (unassisted) 74’
Lineups:
Orlando City- Miguel Gallardo, Rob Valentino, Oumar Diakate, Bryan Burke, Luke Boden, Jonathan Mendoza, Jamie Watson, Freddie Braun, James O’Connor, Adama Mbengue Jean Alexandre
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7 p.m.
Weather: Clear
Attendance: --
SANFORD, Fla.— Orlando continued the 2013 preseason with a convincing 7-0 win over Stetson University at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. The win marks the Lions fourth in a row in the preseason, including two against the NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies.
“I thought the first half we were a little sloppy, but the second half we moved the ball quickly and got some good goals,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Overall it was a good outing.”
Orlando got on the board early, with the Lions capitalizing off of an early Stetson foul from a free kick 10 yards outside the 18’. Midfielder Freddie Braun, who attempted the kick, put a lunging Luke Boden in a great position, with the winger heading in the ball to put the Lions up 1-0 at the 5-minute mark.
City continued to pressure the young Stetson backline, with the pressure paying off for Orlando in the 20th minute. Braun again found a fellow Lion on a ball in, with the former Timber taking a corner that found 6’3” Rob Valentino in front of the box. The defender easily connected, beating the Stetson keeper to put the Lions up 2-0.
2012 USL PRO MVP and recent signing Kevin Molino was a halftime substitute for Heath’s squad, getting his first playing time in for the Orlando side in the 2013 preseason after spending much of it in Europe on trial with various clubs. Molino made an immediate impact in the second half, with the Trinidad and Tobago native blasting a shot by the Stetson keeper after he controlled a deflection just inside the 18’ yard box.
“It was good to have Kevin back in the mix.” Heath added. “He’s a good kid and it looked like he enjoyed himself tonight.”
The Lions settled into a comfortable rhythm in the second half, controlling possession over the Hatters. Orlando continued to convert opportunities as well, with Midfielder Adama Mbengue blasting his penalty shot by Stetson to give Orlando the 4-0 lead after a defender was called for the handball inside the box.
Midfielders James O’Connor and Jean Alexandre both added onto the scoreline for Orlando, with each converting off a powerful volley and strike in the 73rd and 74th minutes, respectively. Their goals put the Lions up 7-0 with 15 minutes left to play, sealing up the friendly win.
The Lions continue their collegiate friendlies this Saturday, March 16th, against Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. Admission is free to the game, which kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday marks the first time the two clubs have ever played in a friendly. For more information on this Saturday’s match, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.
