ORLANDO, Fla. (September 23, 2017) – Orlando City B (9-8-12, 39 points) picked up a 2-1 win against the Charleston Battery (13-8-8, 47 points) on Saturday at Orlando City Stadium. Pierre Da Silva scored his third goal of the season and Lewis Neal scored his second.
“Very hard-fought victory. For the first half we played some really good football. We moved the ball quickly, got into some good areas, just got let down a little bit by the final ball. I don’t think we penetrated their back line enough,” OCB head coach Anthony Pulis said. “Jake Fenlason made some pretty good saves to keep us in it. The character that the guys showed to come back and knick the winner late was fantastic to see and the guys are obviously delighted because it’s a huge three points for us.”
Da Silva opened the scoring in the 31st minute with an exceptional strike from distance. The 19-year-old received a pass from Neal in the middle of the park, took a touch and fired a curling shot that bounced off the post and in. Da Silva’s third goal passes the two he scored as a rookie in 2016.
Heviel Cordovés leveled the score in the 81st minute when he found the bottom left corner from the middle of the penalty area. Quinton Griffith got the assist.
OCB stormed back, though, and found the eventual game-winner six minutes later. Danny Deakin’s corner delivery fell to Timbó in the box, but his shot was blocked and landed at the feet of Neal, whose shot bounced off Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper and in.
Fenlason, making his fifth consecutive start, made four saves in the second half, including a last-ditch tip over the bar on a floating shot in the 74th minute as Charleston pushed for the equalizer.
The win moves OCB into seventh place in the Eastern Conference, tied with sixth-place FC Cincinnati at 39 points, with three regular-season matches remaining.
In addition to Da Silva, First Teamers Rafael Ramos, Conor Donovan, and Hadji Barry were in the starting XI. First Team Homegrown goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar was the backup goalkeeper.
OCB visits the Richmond Kickers on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m. ET before returning to Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, to host New York Red Bulls II. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The Lions then close out the regular season against the I-4 rival Tampa Bay Rowdies on Thursday, Oct. 12, at Orlando City Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
OCB - Pierre Da Silva (Lewis Neal) 31’
CHS - Heviel Cordovés (Quinton Griffith) 81’
OCB - Lewis Neal 87’
Misconduct Summary:
OCB - Paul Clowes (Yellow Card) 50’
CHS - Quinton Griffith (Yellow Card) 60’
OCB - Zach Carroll (Yellow Card) 70’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City B - GK Jake Fenlason, D Zach Ellis-Hayden (Timbó 41’), Zach Carroll, Conor Donovan, Rafael Ramos, M Pierre Da Silva (Austin Martz 81’), Paul Clowes, Jordan Schweitzer, ⓒ Lewis Neal, F Danny Deakin, Hadji Barry (Michael Cox 71’)
Unused Substitutes: GK Mason Stajduhar, D Scott Thomsen, M Ryley Kraft, F Joe Gallardo
Charleston Battery - GK Odisnel Cooper, D Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Skylar Thomas (F Ricky Garbanzo 90’), O’Brian Woodbine, M Maikel Chang, Justin Portillo, Tah Anunga, Nico Rittmeyer (Kotaro Higashi 71’), F Ataulla Guerra (Heviel Cordovés 63’), Romario Williams
Unused Substitutes: GK Joe Kuzminsky, M Jarad van Schaik, Jeffrey Otoo, Neveal Hackshaw
Details of the Game:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: Sept. 23, 2017
Attendance: 1,011
Stats:
Possession:
OCB - 51.3%
CHS - 48.7%
Shots:
OCB - 8
CHS - 10
Saves:
OCB - 4
CHS - 2
Corners:
OCB - 11
CHS - 7
Fouls:
OCB - 7
CHS - 10
