BETHLEHEM, Pa. (April 23, 2017) – In its last match of a three-game road trip, Orlando City B (2-3-2, 8 points) captured all three points with a 2-0 win against Bethlehem Steel FC (1-3-0, 3 points) Sunday evening at Goodman Stadium. Richie Laryea scored his first two professional goals, while Earl Edwards, Jr.’s five saves secured OCB’s first shutout of the season. Albert Dikwa earned his first professional assist.
“I’m pleased with the performance and result. I thought apart from a 25-minute spell at the end of the first half I thought the boys performed really well, managed the game well, played some good football and defended resolutely,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “I thought first 20 minutes we started well, created a few opportunities and moved the ball well. We regrouped, got settled down and I thought second half we performed well.”
The first half was highlighted by Edwards Jr.’s three important saves. The San Diego, Calif., native started his afternoon with a big stop on former Lion Corey Burke’s clear chance on goal in the 20th minute. Edwards Jr. then continued his brilliance in the 36th minute after he poked away Fabian Herbers’ clear breakaway at the top of the box. OCB followed a strong defensive display with a few dangerous chances as First Team midfielder Pierre Da Silva nearly found the near post with a strike in the 24th minute. Center back Zach Carroll followed with a shot in front of goal but the Steel deflected it away.
“Earl’s been excellent since he’s been with us this year. I think we said on the bench, ‘The sign of a good goalkeeper is when he comes up big when you need him most,’ and he did that today,” Pulis continued. “He’s done that all season long. We’ve been really pleased with him.”
OCB started the second half with a strong spell of possession inside Bethlehem’s defensive third. The Lions were then rewarded in the 49th minute when Laryea opened the scoring with a thunderous strike into the top corner. Midfielder Austin Martz started the attack as he turned inside the box before laying it off for Laryea at the penalty spot.
Laryea, City’s first pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, built on his impressive performance with a right-footed shot into the side netting in the 71st minute after Dikwa played a well-timed through ball. Laryea’s brace secured OCB’s first road win of the season.
Laryea, Edwards Jr., Da Silva, Conor Donovan and Tony Rocha all featured in the match from the First Team while veteran midfielder Lewis Neal returned to the starting XI. The match saw Martz record his first assist for OCB and Edwards Jr.’s five saves moved him into the league lead with 22 on the season.
The win secures seven of a possible nine points for Orlando City SC on the weekend. Orlando Pride earned a 1-1 draw in their home opener Saturday before the First Team took a 2-1 win over New York City FC earlier this afternoon.
The Lions return to action on Thursday, April 27, when they host Saint Louis FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Orlando City Stadium.
OCB - Richie Laryea (Austin Martz) 49’
OCB - Richie Laryea (Albert Dikwa) 71’
Misconduct Summary:
OCB - Richie Laryea (Yellow Card) 38’
BET - Austin Trusty (Yellow Card) 45 (+2)’
BET - Corey Burke (Yellow Card) 47’
BET - Aaron Jones (Yellow Card) 68’
BET - Giliano Wijnaldum (Yellow Card) 70’
OCB - Zach Ellis-Hayden (Yellow Card) 87’
BET - Seku Conneh (Yellow Card) 88’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City B - GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Zach Ellis-Hayden, ⓒ Zach Carroll (Conor Donovan 45’), Timbó, Kevin Alston (Scott Thomsen 34’), M Lewis Neal, Tony Rocha (Jordan Schweitzer 76’), Austin Martz, Richie Laryea, Pierre Da Silva, F Albert Dikwa
Substitutes: GK Jake Fenlason, M Danny Deakin, F Michael Cox, Ben Polk
Bethlehem Steel FC - GK John McCarthy, D Giliano Wijnaldum, Austin Trusty, Hugh Roberts, Aaron Jones (Santi Moar 80’), M Derrick Jones, Adam Najem, Cory Burke, Fabian Herbers (Yosef Samuel 80’), Marcus Epps, F Seku Conneh
Substitutes: GK Matthew Freese, D Charlie Reymann, Matt Mahoney, M Chris Wingate, Josh Heard
Details of the Game
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
April 23, 2017
Stats:
Possession:
OCB - 48.4 %
BET - 51.6 %
Shots:
OCB - 11
BET - 12
Saves:
OCB - 5
BET - 6
Corners:
OCB - 5
BET - 8
Fouls:
OCB - 12
BET - 25
