The No. 2 nationally seeded Orlando City Development Academy U-17/18s got their playoff run off to an unbelievable start.
The Lions picked up a 2-0 win over Pateadores, the No. 2 seed in the Southwest Division, in Indiana on Thursday, riding a goal from David Loera and an exclamation point, bicycle kick golazo by Alejandro Pereira.
Pereira blasted the overhead served up by Jonathan Brasiliano to ice the match in the 90th minute.
“These playoff games are not easy,” Academy Director and U-17/18s head coach David Longwell said. “It was a great team effort. Our boys were determined and had a great attitude.” Pereira’s spectacular stole the highlight reel from Raul Aguilera’s perfect set-up for David Loera’s game-winner in the 60th minute.
“Really great run from David and a clinical pass to split the defense from Raul,” Longwell said. “Nice team build-up and a great goal.”
City cruised through the regular season, putting together a 24-5-1 record and finishing second in the country. But that’s not the same as putting together a complete game in the playoffs, when it matters.
“I was proud of the way we played,” Longwell said. “As I said, these playoff games are not easy, so to be able to put together a quality performance against a team that was well organized and very difficult to break down was great to see. Our boys showed great quality and seized their opportunities.” Next up for the U-17/18s is Players Development Academy on June 24 before playing the Indiana Fire on Monday.
