ORLANDO, Fla. (March 29, 2017) – Following Saturday’s 2017 United Soccer League (USL) season opener, Orlando City B hosts its first game against Louisville City FC on Thursday, March 30. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Orlando City Stadium.
Tickets to OCB’s home opener can be purchased here or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. The match will be streamed online at www.OrlandoCitySC.com/LIVE.
“[Louisville is] a very well drilled, very well organized good team. [James O’Connor] has done a fantastic job in the two years he’s been there and they’ve been in the conference final two years running so we know Thursday is going to be an incredibly difficult game,” OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said.”[Playing the home opener] is going to be a fantastic occasion for many of the boys to step onto that field for the first time. We’re very, very excited.”
Located on Church Street, the privately financed soccer-specific stadium features a natural grass playing surface and a four-sided canopy roof to keep the noise in and weather out. Fans will also be able to experience North America’s first and only safe-standing supporters’ section. Orlando City Stadium is also home to Orlando City of Major League Soccer and Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League.
In accordance with Orlando City’s new paperless ticket initiative, all season and single-game tickets for the match can be accessed through the LionNation mobile app. More information on paperless tickets can be found here.
Thursday marks the fourth all-time meeting between the two teams. Most recently, the Lions battled back from a one-goal deficit and scored twice in stoppage time to earn three points. Tyler Turner leveled the match from the penalty spot after one minute of added time before Keegan Smith captured the victory seconds later with a strike from the top of the box.
Last weekend, OCB traveled down I-4 to open its season against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Goalkeeper Earl Edwards, Jr. dominated in his 2017 debut. The San Diego, Calif., native was sharp from the get-go and in the 24th minute he quickly dove down to deny Marcel Schafer with his left hand. Edwards, Jr. made yet another big save seconds before halftime when he closed down Georgi Hristov’s angle on goal before smothering the ensuing shot. Georgi Hristov converted from the penalty spot, though, after Edwards, Jr. was forced to charge out to stop Leo Fernandes in the box.
Seven players made their OCB debuts against Tampa Bay, including 2016 All-USL Second Team defender Zach Carroll, former Orlando City U-23 Paul Clowes and 2016 MLS SuperDraft selection Danny Deakin. The match also featured eight First Team players.
OCB returns striker Michael Cox, who finished eighth in USL with 11 goals while Orlando City veteran Lewis Neal captains the Lions in the heart of midfield.
Louisville visits OCB after playing to a scoreless draw at Slugger Field. The match saw Louisville lose starting goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh to injury. Saint Louis FC nearly won the match in the 87th minute when a header snuck past substitute goalkeeper Tim Dobrowolski, but defender Tarek Morad was there to clear the danger. Louisville is coached by former Orlando City midfielder and assistant coach James O'Connor, who played for the Lions from 2012-14 and coached in 2014 before the Club joined MLS.
The Lions continue their three-game homestand against Toronto FC II on April 4. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Then on Tuesday, April 8, the Lions will close out its homestand against Charlotte Independence.
