ORLANDO, Fla. – March 12, 2016 – Two weeks away from the start of the 2016 United Soccer League (USL) preseason, Orlando City B continued its preseason with another week of competitive friendlies – facing Florida Technical College on Saturday, March 5, the University of North Florida (UNF) on Tuesday, March 8 and Florida International University (FIU) on Saturday, March 12.
Orlando City B, sustaining the defensive solidity showcased during preseason by only allowing three goals in eight games, downed Florida Tech 2-0 and UNF 3-1, and drew FIU 1-1.
In the draw against FIU, the starting lineup was predominantly composed of Orlando City SC players, with Adrian Heath providing minutes to Luke Boden, Kevin Alston, Pedro Ribeiro, Harrison Heath, Richie Laryea and Hadji Barry. The Panthers took the lead in the third minute of play, when a cross deflected off Alston’s leg found its way into the net. However, following the introduction of OCB players 15 minutes into the second half, City was able to level the score with a fantastic goal by Pierre Da Silva.
The 17-year-old winger, who looked lively and threatened FIU’s final third the entire game, received the ball 25 yards out, surpassed a defender with a brilliant 360 move and sent it past the keeper to equalize in the 75th minute.
“It was good minutes for everybody. The one thing this year is that we are going to have an opportunity to give players minutes, which is important because no matter what we do in terms of Monday to Friday on the training ground, it doesn’t quite replicate what trainings are like. I thought FIU was very good, [they] had a really good shape and it was a really good run out for some of our guys,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath following the fixture.
“We were pleased in the second half. Of course, Pierre scores a fantastic goal and I thought he was arguably our best player on the day – he has been fantastic this preseason and one that we’ve got high hopes for. On the whole it was a good exercise, I thought FIU made it really difficult for us, they were well organized, well drilled, and it was a good test for us,” said OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis after the draw.
On their midweek match against the University of North Florida (UNF), Orlando City B’s dominance over the initial 25 minutes was enough to obtain a 3-1 victory over the Ospreys.
The Lions took the lead when Harrison Heath opened the score from the penalty spot early in the game. With the City’s offensive pressure mounting, the 2016 MLS SuperDraft first-round selection Richie Laryea doubled the lead with a clinical finish from the edge of the box a few minutes later, after Heath and Hadji Barry combined down the right side of the pitch. Recently signed Alejandro García made it three following a clever play from Heath, who beat two midfielders and found him outside the box, sending it past the keeper with a precise one-time strike right before the 25th minute mark.
In a more physical second half, UNF was able to pull one back, but OCB’s defensive solidity showcased during the preseason was able to seal the win.
Prior to this victory, Orlando City B defeated Florida Technical College on Saturday, March 5, when second-half finishes from goal scorers William Eyang and Michael Cox combined with another clean sheet gave the Lions the 2-0 victory.
Orlando City B will play its final preseason fixture on Saturday, March 19, when they play Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) at the Titan Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled at 1 p.m. ET.
Orlando City B opens the 2016 USL season at the EFSC’s stadium Titan Soccer Complex on March 26 against the Wilmington Hammerheads. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
