In its first U.S. Soccer Development Academy knockout round match, the Orlando City Development Academy U-17/18s fell, 2-1, to the visiting Colorado Rapids Development Academy U-17/18 Friday evening at Orlando City Stadium.
“Obviously disappointment is the biggest emotion at the moment but there’s a lot of pride in how they’ve done this season, how far they’ve actually gone. They’ve never done this before,” Academy Director and U-17/18s head coach David Longwell said. “They’ve got a heck of a lot of character. Hopefully they’ll learn from it so they can play here for the MLS team at some point and they can learn from this experience.”
The loss caps the most successful season in Orlando City DA history. The U-17/18s entered the postseason with the No. 2 overall national seed following a 24-5-1 regular season and won all three group stage matches to advance to the knockout round.
City got off to a fast start, controlling the run of play and breaking down the Rapids shape. The Lions scored first in the 16th minute when Isaque Cuoto drove in from the left wing, got around the charging goalkeeper and fed it across for Juan Hernandez to tap in.
Colorado leveled the score in the 27th minute on Liam Johnson’s goal.
From there, the Lions and Rapids traded spells of possession and scoring chances. Raul Aguilera nearly scored on several shots from distance, David Loera created and threatened and City’s back line held strong against Colorado.
Defender David Norris showed grit and discipline with his challenges, including a notable tackle in the box late on. As his attacker got around, Norris dove with both feet, grabbed the ball and cleared it from the box. His partner at center back, Jack McCloskey, won header after header as Colorado resorted to the long ball.
As City pressed for the game-winner, Colorado’s Rhys De Sota rushed up on the counterattack and slotted it through to give the Rapids the lead.
After De Sota’s goal in the 87th minute, the Lions sent everything forward and earned two corners and a throw-in in the four minutes of added time. Loera curled both balls dangerously into the box and following a blast from Aguilera, Loera ripped a volley that ricocheted out for another corner but the Lions were unable to level the match.
