ROCHESTER, N.Y. (June 23, 2017) – In the last match of a three-game road trip, Orlando City B (5-6-4, 19 points) earned a 1-0 victory over the Rochester Rhinos (5-2-5, 20 points) Friday night at Capelli Sport Stadium. Timbó scored his first goal as a Lion on Pierre Da Silva’s sixth assist of the season. The win snaps Rochester’s eight-game league unbeaten run. OCB finishes the season series with four points from two games against Rochester.
“We spoke before the game about the importance of resilience, grit, determination and togetherness and you need those things in abundance if you’re going to be successful in a place like Rochester, and that’s exactly what we had tonight,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said. “I thought at times in possession we could’ve been better and we have to be better but the way we defended as a team was fantastic. I’m really proud of [the players] after a tough week, it’s not easy. It’s been a long week on the road but to finish it like that, I’m really pleased for the players.“
Pulis came out with a starting XI featuring four teenagers, which is the most in a starting XI in OCB history. Nineteen-year-old Joe Gallardo made his second start of the season as 18-year-old Youmeni Jules made his first start since April 18. Da Silva, 18, and Albert Dikwa, 19, rounded out the under 20s in the lineup. Nineteen-year-old Ryley Kraft was in the 18-man selection.
After weathering an early storm from Rochester, Da Silva got City on the board when he found Timbó for the tap-in in the 18th minute. Da Silva picked up the ball in the attacking third, beat two defenders as he penetrated the box from the left wing and drove a low cross through the area for Timbó. Da Silva’s sixth assist sets his career-high in his second professional season and ties him for the league lead.
OCB controlled much of the remainder of the half, with Da Silva curling a dangerous free kick on frame and Dikwa hitting the bottom of the bar from a tight angle in the 43rd minute. Right before the half ended, Gallardo gathered the ball, took a touch and drilled a shot from 20 yards out that was blocked on its way to goal.
The match saw Earl Edwards, Jr. wear the captain’s armband for the first time and put forth an excellent performance in his 13th appearance of the season. As the Rhinos turned up the pressure in search of the equalizer, the former UCLA Bruin made a spectacular save in the 72nd minute. Sofiane Tergou drove the area and centered for Jordan Dover on the six-yard box. Dover directed a first-time shot on target but Edwards Jr. dove across the goal to deflect it over the bar with his fingertips. Edwards Jr. finished with two saves to earn his fourth clean sheet of the season.
The Lions begin a three-game homestand on Saturday, July 1, when they host FC Cincinnati at 8:30 p.m. ET. The match will be the second of a double-header with the Orlando Pride, which takes on the Chicago Red Stars at 5 p.m. ET. OCB then hosts Pittsburgh on July 8 before the I-4 derby rival Tampa Bay Rowdies visit Orlando City Stadium for the first time on Thursday, July 13.
Scoring Summary:
OCB - Timbó (Pierre Da Silva) 18’
Misconduct Summary:
ROC - Stefan Defregger (Yellow Card) 29’
OCB - Timbó (Yellow Card) 45+1’
ROC - Jordan Dover (Yellow Card) 88’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City B - GK ⓒ Earl Edwards, Jr., D Youmeni Jules, Seb Hines, Conor Donovan, Scott Thomsen, M Pierre Da Silva (Austin Martz 74’), Timbó (Jordan Schweitzer 67’), Paul Clowes, Danny Deakin, F Joe Gallardo (Ben Polk 49’), Albert Dikwa
Substitutes: GK Jake Fenlason, D Zach Carroll, M Ryley Kraft, F Michael Cox
Rochester Rhinos - GK Tomas Gomez, D Joe Farrell, Ryan Felix, Ryan James, Jordan Dover, Wal Fall, M Mike Garzi, Stefan Defregger (Jalen Brown 62’), Sofiane Tergou (Antonio Correia 82’), F Kenardo Frobes, Darius Madison (Jochen Graf 62’)
Substitutes: GK Dan Lynd, D Todd Pratzner, Bradley Kamden, F Rayane Boukemia
Details of the Game
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
June 23, 2017
Attendance: 1,243
Stats:
Possession:
OCB - 33.2 %
ROC - 66.8 %
Shots:
OCB - 7
ROC - 13
Saves:
OCB - 2
ROC - 1
Corners:
OCB - 3
ROC - 9
Fouls:
OCB - 14
ROC - 12
