MELBOURNE, Fla. (August 5, 2016) – Following Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Louisville City, Orlando City B (7-6-7, 28 points) returns home on Saturday, Aug. 6, to host Toronto FC II (6-12-5, 23 points) for the first time this season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Titan Soccer Complex. The match will be streamed live at www.OrlandoCitySC.com/Live.
“The guys are confident at the moment. We’re on a good run, coming off the back of a good win and a good performance at Louisville last weekend. The important thing now is that we try and use that positive energy,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “It’s important for us to approach that game with the right mentality because we can’t afford to take TFCII too lightly. They’ve got some good attacking players that will be threats if we don’t deal with them properly. We know it’s not going to be an easy game.”
OCB erased a 1-0 deficit against the league leaders in the 90th minute when Tyler Turner converted on a penalty kick before Keegan Smith chipped a shot past Louisville goalkeeper Gregory Ranjitsingh to extend OCB’s unbeaten streak to eight games and earn Smith a spot on the USL Team of the Week. Orlando City Pro Academy call-up David Loera earned an assist in his first professional appearance.
Michael Cox leads OCB with seven goals and 30 shots while 2016 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick Hadji Barry has four goals and two assists. Turner leads all defenders with four goals. Goalkeeper Mark Ridgers is second in the USL and leads the Eastern Conference with 66 saves. OCB will be with First Teamers Cristian Higuita and Tommy Redding, who were loaned down for this match.
Toronto is coming off a 3-2 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC. Shaan Hundal scored in the first half before scoring the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute. Luca Uccello scored the game-winner in the 78th minute.
Raheem Edwards leads Toronto with six goals and three assists. Goalkeeper Alexander Bono leads the team with a 1.54 goals allowed average through eight games.
These teams will meet again on Sunday, Sept. 11, in Toronto. With 10 games remaining, OCB holds the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot, leading ninth place Bethlehem by three points with a game in hand.
OCB begins a two-game road trip at New York Red Bulls II on Friday, Aug. 12, with a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff. The Lions then head to Charlotte on Wednesday, Aug. 17, to take on the Independence. OCB returns to Titan Soccer Complex on Sunday, Aug. 21, to host the Richmond Kickers. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
