Jim Robertson

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2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Orlando City SC earns first MLS upset, 3-1 over Colorado Rapids

May 30, 2013 by Jim Robertson

ORLANDO, Fla.— In the third round of US Open Cup play, the Colorado Rapids (Major League Soccer) fall to Orlando City SC (USL PRO) by a margin of 3-1 Tuesday night at Fifth Third Bank Field of the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. In the 4th minute, Orlando’s Bryan Burke put the home side up, but Kamani Hill picked off a pass to bring Colorado even in the 18th minute. Orlando City forward Dom Dwyer scored a brace in the second half to give the club its first-ever win over an MLS club in US Open Cup play. Orlando advances to the 4th round and will face Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park.

“I think just before and during the second half we were far and away the better team,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I thought we were worthy winners and it would have been a travesty if we didn’t take home the win.”

The Colorado defense failed to clear the ball from danger in the fourth minute, and Bryan Burke sent a rifle shot from 20 yards out. The ball nicked a Colorado defender Anthony Wallace and out of the reach of Colorado Goalkeeper Steward Ceus giving the Lions the 1-0 advantage. The former Kitsap Puma (PDL) star scored his second goal for Orlando City (his first goal came Saturday night in USL PRO season over Wilmington).

Colorado, which started a group that had plenty of MLS experience, kept the pressure on Orlando City in the first half closing the space quickly and trading attacks with Orlando as the match progressed. In the 18th minute, an Orlando City defensive turnover gave Rapids’ Midfielder Kamani Hill the ball. Hill took advantage by calmly slotting the ball in the corner past Orlando City Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo to even the game at 1-1.

Despite many opportunities, neither side was able to convert and the first half finished tied. Neither side made changes to start the second half.

Orlando City began the second half like the first – on the attack. In the 48th minute, Burke surged down the right hand side and sent a floating ball into Dom Dwyer on the back post. The header from the USL PRO leading scorer was on frame in the back left corner and gave the Orlando a 2-1 lead.

The game really opened up when Dwyer got behind the Colorado defense and Colorado Goalkeeper Ceus came out of his box. After a header by Dwyer got the ball past the goalkeeper, Ceus clotheslined Dwyer stopping his advance, and Rapids defender Shane O’Neill was able to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line. At the stop, the referee conferred with his assistant and then indicated a foul at the top of the box for Orlando. Seconds later, Ceus was showed the red card and ejected from the match. The Rapids were forced to bring winger Kevin Harbottle out as Goalkeeper Clint Irwin came in to finish the match, and the Rapids were a man down for the final 30 minutes.

The game was sealed by Orlando City five minutes later, when Dwyer scored his second to put Orlando up 3-1. The play started with Adama Mbengue (brought up from Orlando City U23s this season) hit a fantastic through ball to Long Tan. Tan then controlled the box beat off a defender and sent a brilliant cross into the box. Dwyer converted after getting past Colorado defender Clint Irwin. The goal was Dwyer’s 16th goal counting both league play and Open Cup.

Orlando controlled much of the possession in the final 25 minutes as Colorado played a man down, to close out with the win 3-1. This was the clubs first win over an MLS side in Open Cup play, and the first time they have advanced to the 4th round of competition to face Sporting Kansas City. The match will be on Wednesday, June 12.

Interestingly, Orlando is the official USL PRO affiliate of their fourth round opponent Sporting Kansas City, and four Orlando Players are on loan from Kansas City. Dom Dwyer is one of the two loaned players that were key to Orlando’s win in the match. The other is defender Yann Songo’o who had a solid game in the center defense and along with Rob Valentino and kept Colorado’s offense to 1 goal. Also on loan to Orlando from Kansas City are goal keeper Jon Kempin and midfielder Christian Duke.

There is some doubt about whether the players on loan will be able to play against their parent club. When questioned about the situation after their win over the Des Moine Menace (2-0), Kansas City coach Peter Vermes said, “Well I think it’s going to be more from the league, but I’ll know in the next couple of days. I don’t know at the moment, that’s something the league has to be involved in for sure.”

Orlando City lost to Sporting in the 3rd round of US Open Cup play last year in a tight 2-3 match, and will be looking to avenge the loss. Each match against an MLS team has greater meaning to Orlando City supporters as they appeal to the MLS to be the league’s 21st team. As the match ended, they supporters chanted, “We belong in MLS!” And from last nights match, they look to be competitive.

Team                    1  2  Final
Orlando City SC   1  2    3
Colorado Rapids   1  0    1

Scoring Summary:
ORL- Bryan Burke (unassisted) 4th
COL- Kamani Hill (unassisted) 18th
ORL- Dom Dwyer (Bryan Burke) 48th
ORL- Dom Dwyer (Long Tan) 63rd

Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City Miguel Gallardo, Yann Songo’o, Bryan Burke, Luke Boden, Rob Valentino, Anthony Pulis, James O’Connor, Kevin Molino, Adama Mbengue (Jamie Watson 67), Dom Dwyer, Long Tan (Dennis Chin 76)

Colorado Rapids Steward Ceus, Marvell Wynne, Shane O’Neill, German Mera, Anthony Wallace, Dillon Powers, Nick LaBrocca (Atiba Harris 72), Kamani Hill (Deshorn Brown 66), Tony Cascio, Kevin Harbottle (Clint Irwin 58), Danny Mwanga

Penalty Summary:
ORL- Anthony Pulis (Yellow) 32nd
COL- Shane O’Neill (Yellow) 36th
COL- Steward Ceus (Red) 56th
ORL- Adama Mbengue (Yellow) 65th
COL- Atiba Harris (Yellow) 80th

Match Facts:
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Weather: Clear/Cloudy
Attendance: 4,128

2013 US Open Cup First Round: VSI Tampa Bay hangs on to win in PKs over Orlando City U-23

May 15, 2013 by Jim Robertson

VSI Tampa Bay (White) and Orlando City SC Under 23s played to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Tampa Bay won the PK shootout, 5-3. Photo: Dave Williams | Orlando City SC

VSI Tampa Bay (USL PRO) won over the Orlando City U-23 (USL PDL) in penalty kicks Tuesday night 1-1 (5-3) at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. The first round match of the 100th U.S. Open Cup paired Tampa Bay in its first appearance in the US Open Cup against Orlando City U-23 in its sixth appearance. VSI Tampa Bay advances into the second round and will play the 2012 NASL Champions Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The match was hard fought and looked to be a win for Tampa, but Orlando was able to equalize in the 90th minute to send the match to two overtime periods. Orlando has never advanced beyond the first round, and was again unable to do so tonight. Orlando was one of four amateur teams to face a professional team opponent in the first round.

VSI Tampa Bay’s game experience as a team was apparent in the opening minutes. Tampa has already played seven matches to a record of 4-3 and sit in sixth place on the table. The ball control was crisp and they put immediate pressure on the Orlando City U-23 Lions. With the final seven players announced only four days ago, the Lions had less time to prepare for the match and it showed as they misconnected on key passes and in general looked like they were playing their first competitive match as a team.

Tampa took advantage when Andriy Budnyy scored seven minutes into the contest to give Tampa the 1-0 lead. Budnyy headed the ball in from the top of the goal box out of the reach of the Lion’s goalkeeper, Tomas Gomez. Alex Freitas was left alone on the left to serve the excellent cross and got the assist.

After that goal, the Lions settled down and played a much better match. Although Tampa was in the Lion’s half for most of the first 20 minutes, Orlando City players seemed to gel and find their stride.

“We haven’t been together long so I can’t fault their effort and work rate but I think overall we did well in our first competitive match,” said U23 coach Paul Shaw.

In the 25th minute, Orlando’s perseverance was almost rewarded as Tyler Blackwood got behind VSI’s defense and put a beautiful cross into the goal box but Tampa was able to clear. The remainder of the first half continued with exciting play from both teams as each pressed forward and created changes. Tampa’s Tony Dontelli had an opportunity near the 40th minute but his shot went right to the hands of Gomez.

The play in the second half was similar to the end of the 1st half with the Lions and VSI controlling the ball equally well with neither team clearly superior in time of possession or completing their chances. Both made substitutions to keep fresh legs in the game as Tampa brought in Chad Burt (61′) and Sebastien Thureire (77′) while Orlando brought in Tom Skelly (57′) and Daniel Barboto (67′).

Orlando’s last substitution, Ian Svantesson (77′) would turn out to be key, as he broke free of several defenders in the box and shot what looked to be the game winner in the 90th minute. However, Tampa’s goalkeeper Dave Martin came up with a fantastic save. The rebound came near Orlando Captain Nic Russo who was crashing the goal area and he headed the ball home to equalize the match and forcing overtime.

The extra time brought plenty of exciting plays as both teams moved the ball quickly through the midfield and pressed the fowards into the final third. Both goalkeepers were kept busy but additional goals eluded both teams. In the second overtime period, tired legs began to take their toll from the fast paced match and the teams remained tied.

The first three rounds of shots from the mark were even as each team’s representative seemed to score easily. In the 4th round, J.T Noone of Tampa shot the ball past Gomez, but the shot by Orlando’s Nick Sowers was saved by Martin, giving Tampa the 4-3 penalty kick advantage. The final round came to a close as Tampa’s Mauricio Salles sent his shot past Gomez to give VSI the victory.

Scoring Summary
VSI: Budnyy (Freitas) 7th minute
ORL: Russo (Svantesson) 90th minute

Penalty Kick Summary
X – VSI – Donotelli (1-0)
X – ORL – Clowes (1-1)
X – VSI – Hoffer (2-1)
X – ORL – Blackwood (2-2)
X – VSI – Burt (3-2)
X – ORL – Russo (3-3)
X – VSI – Noone (4-3)
_ – ORL – Sowers (4-3)
X – VSI – Rife (5-3)

Lineups
VSI Tampa Bay FC Dave Martin, Richard Dixon, Kyle Hoffer, Josh Rife, Alex Freitas, Joseph Noone, Darren Toby, Shawn Chin (Mauricio Solles 90th), Tony Donotelli, Douglas Dos Santos (Sebastien Thureire 77th), Andriy Budnyy (Chad Burt 61st)

Orlando City U23s Tomas Gomez, Evan Greenbaum (Ian Svantesson 77th), Kyle Fisher, Cole Seiler, Stewart Abrahart (Tom Skelly 57th), Itode Fubara, Troy Peterson (Daniel Barboto 67th), Paul Clowes, Tyler Blackwood, Nick Sowers, Nicolas Russo

Discipline
ORL – Nick Sowers (95′) Yellow
TPA – Sebastian Thuriere (97′) Yellow
ORL – Itode Fubara (107′) Yellow

Attendance: 535

2013 Meet the USASA: Newcomers from Florida, Red Force, bring experienced players to US Open Cup debut

May 10, 2013 by Jim Robertson

Welcome to our continuing series of Meet the USASA features where we annually profile the clubs representing the United States Adult Soccer Association in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Advancing from the four regional tournaments, these often unknown clubs have great stories to tell and each year, our goal is to allow fans to get to know them as they attempt to become this year’s Cinderella story.

The most compelling thing about the Red Force is not their impressive championships from the last two years but how Coach Gabriel Vega has managed to grow a successful and competitive team that started with his sons and their friends as a youth team. This year’s squad has a mix of veterans and promising youth. The Red Force are competing in their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and will open the 100th edition of the tournament against the PDL’s Ocala Stampede at Florida International University.

The Red Force were the only team that entered Open Cup qualifying from the state of Florida and therefore earned a bye into the USASA Region III tournament where they were able to secure a spot in the US Open Cup. When discussing the team’s participation in the Cup, Vega said “ fantastic feeling… The satisfaction of seeing them win was amazing. We are a like a family. We play a very nice soccer.”

Red Force cruised through the Region III tournament, winning three straight games including an Open Cup-clinching 2-0 win over the ASC New Stars, who were attempting to qualify for the third year in a row.

The Red Force began its adult incarnation in the 2008 season when they began competing as an independent team in the SSM Premier League which they have won three of the last four years.

Young stars

Life for Vega and the Red Force started much earlier than that when Vega was coaching his son as a youth. The commitment to the team is infectious as Coach Vega excitedly talks about the players that played for the Red Force in their younger days. Coach Vega quickly rattles off the names and colleges and accomplishments of many former members of the Red Force squad.

“Some of those players come to our matches and help us in training,” Vega mentions. This legacy of playing with the club as a youth continues with the team today as six players from the Under-18 team that played together are currently on the squad. At least eight former Red Force players are now or have played in the past for college soccer programs on scholarship. Vega counts this as one of his most important accomplishments as coach for the Red Force.

Growing a competitive team

From that core youth team staying together after their teammates went to college, Coach Vega has added many impressive players. These players that have joined the Red Force and made them a formidable team in Southeast Florida. With professional experience both in the United States and abroad these players understand how to play in a “big game.”

Daniel Gomez

C.A. River Plate

Fluminense of Puerto Rico

Richard Perdomo

Carolina Railhawks

Miami FC

Platense

Kevin Nylen

Wilmington Hammerheads

Charleston Battery

Ryan Solle

Raleigh CASL Elite

Carolina Dynamo

New England Revolution

Carolina Railhawks

Wilmington Hammerheads

David Holguin

America de Cali

Hernan Acosta

Joan Carvajal

Creighton University

North Carolina Tarheeels

Alan Sanchez

Carolina Dynamo

Cary Clarets

Real Maryland Monarchs

Charlotte Eagles

Coach Vega also played in Argentina before coming to the United States and has been coaching since 1997. The team is also excited to be hosting the match.

“We have a great relationship with , so they are letting us use their fields.”

Despite being in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time, the Red Force are not unfamiliar with big matches and taking on opponents who are expected to beat them. Before attending the Region III qualifying tournament, the Red Force faced the Venezuela Under-19 World Cup team in Miami and played them to a 1-1 draw at halftime. The game was close throughout the match, and as Vega says, the Venezuelan team outlasted them because they were “basically so incredibly fit. In the last minute they scored two goals and we lost 3-1.”

Other notable Red Force accomplishments include being a semifinalist in Copa Latina 2011, a finalist in the Region III finals, champion of the Hiatian Cup in Miami and a two-time champion of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers open tournament (2011-2012).

Vega and his players are ready and excited for the challenge of competing in The Cup and plan on this being only the first appearance of many.

“We are training hard to compete. I always believe in my team always. The Red Force never give up.”

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Orlando City dominates in a 7-0 win over KC Athletics (video)

May 23, 2012 by Jim Robertson

Orlando City put on a great show before a great crowd that included two English Premier League coaches as they hosted the KC Athletics in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The reigning USL Pro champions showed no mercy against the USASA entry en route to a 7-0 victory with two goals each from Max Griffin and John Rooney to earn a Third Round meeting on the road versus Sporting Kansas City.

The match started with a goal for Orlando City in the 4th minute when a dangerous cross was knocked in by a KC Athletics defender. Athletics got their first shot off in the 23rd minute but it was well defended by goalkeeper Sean Kelley.

Unfortunately the first half did not get better for Kansas City. Campbell put a ball in the box to Griffin who collected it, turned, and buried into the net in the 25th minute. The first half continued with Orlando City creating many opportunities with good crosses from both sides. It was only a matter of time before crosses from Watson and Campbell were converted by Rooney and Griffin into goals in the 28th and 42nd minutes.

In the second half, Orlando City continued where they left off, pressing the ball forward and creating many opportunities. The Athletics had several opportunities on quick counters, but failed to convert them.

Orlando City scored 3 more goals in the 2nd half. In the 60th minute a curling shot by Jamie Watson went into the upper 90. Rooney scored a goal when he launched a a short corner in the 71st minute. The final goal was scored by Matt Luzunaris when he picked up a keeper deflection in hte 85th minute.

Earlier in the day Orlando City announced friendly matches against Stoke City and Nottingham Forest. Tony Pulis of Stoke City and Steve Cotterill of Nottingham watched the match with Orlando City owner Phil Rawlins. Pulis’s son, Anthony, plays for Orlando City.

Scoring Summary:
KCA – Coady Andrews (own goal) 4
OC – Max Griffin 1 (Charlie Campbell 1) 26
OC – John Rooney 1 (Jamie Watson 1) 28
OC – Max Griffin 2 (Charlie Campbell 2) 42
OC – Jamie Watson 1 (unassisted) 60
OC – John Rooney 2 (unassisted) 71
OC – Matt Luzunaris 1 (unassisted) 86

Lineups:
Orlando City – Sean Kelley, Jerome Mechack, Kieron Bernard (Wes Allen 77), Kyle Davies, Erik Ustruck, Ian Fuller, John Rooney, Charlie Campbell, Jamie Watson (Dennis Chin 75), Max Griffin (Kevin Molino 46), Matt Luzunaris

Substitutes not used: Miguel Gallardo, Anthony Pulis, James O’Connor

KC Athletics – Steven Grow, John Markey, Josh White, Oran Andrews, Coady Andrews, Kevin Shrout, Josh McDaniel, Jesse Baker, Martin Johnston, Garrett Webb, Kyle Perkins

Referees:
Referee – Ted Unkel
Referee’s Assistants – Edison Aragon, Abdel Kuttaineli
4th Official – Matthew Miscannon

Match Facts:
Time of Game – 7:30 pm
Weather – Clear, 90 degrees
Attendance – 946

2012 US Open Cup First Round: Jacksonville United last minute heroics snag a victory from Orlando City U-23

May 16, 2012 by Jim Robertson

After a significant rain delay, the game between the newly-rebranded Orlando City U-23s (formerly Central Florida Kraze) and Jacksonville United got started at 8:30 pm. Orlando came out strong with some crosses and throw-ins into the box, but the Jacksonville defense held strong.

City had a great chance in the 17th minute, but Nick Sowers’ goal was called back with the assistant referee indicating offsides. A fantastic steal in the 29th minute led to a Nick Sowers cross that Jonathan Mendoza shot just wide of the far corner. Jacksonville immediately responded with a dangerous cross, but Charles Sanders grabbed it out of the air. In the final 5 minutes of the 1st half, Jacksonville had several chances but failed to convert.

The second half started quickly with a shot by Nicolas Russo deflected by Stuart McCrory in the 46th minute. In the 50th minute, a cross by Sowers was headed by Russo and then Drew Helm gathered the deflected header, turned and found the back of the net.

Jacksonville made two substitutions in the 56th and 59th minutes, bringing in Ramak Safi and Wale Leyimu for Nedim Hrustic and Jonathan Glenn. Some long balls and excellent counter attacks brought both Orlando and Jacksonville some good chances, but both teams’ defenses held firm. A Jacksonville corner in the 71st minute was placed perfectly but the header fell just left of the net.

A hand ball called on Orlando on the top of the box resulted in a penalty kick for Jacksonville which was converted by Tomislav Krizanovic in the 82nd minute. Jacksonville kept the pressure on Orlando after the goal with crosses and direct kicks into the box but failed to convert. A free kick by Jacksonville resulted in a scramble in the box and Safi found the back of the net to put Jacksonville in the lead with 1 minute left before stoppage time.

Coach Pat Cannon of Jacksonville said, “We started out a little shaky… but when we made our subs it really changed the game. They just opened the game up for us.”

When asked about the controversy at the end of the game, Nick Sowers (on loan from the USL Pro team) said, “We had many opportunites but failed to convert them into points when we should have.”

“Jacksonville’s players knew how to win tonight,” said Orlando City U-23s Head Coach Joe Avallone. “We have to learn from this. That’s what the US Open Cup is all about.”

Jacksonville United FC will face the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup next Tuesday, May 22nd, in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville United FC 2:1 Orlando City U-23
Seminole Soccer Complex – Sanford, Fla.

ORL: Drew Helm 50
JAX: Tomislav Kruzanovic (PK) 82
JAX: Ramak Safi 89

Discipline:
JAX: Sean Steed – caution 64
ORL: David Graydon – caution 76
ORL: Oumar Diahkite – caution 87
ORL: Joseph Toby – caution 90′

Lineups:
Orlando City U-23: Charles Sanders, Joseph Toby, Ryan Griffen, Sean Reynolds, Oumar Diakhite, Nick Sowers, Nicco Russo (David Graydon 70), Luis Ocejo, Ricardo, Campbell, Jonathan Mendoza, Drew Helm (Moses Aduny 78)
Subs not used: Johan Bergfeld, Brendon Moore, Ezequiel Pedraza, Stephen Williams, Edwin Worley

Jacksonville United FC: Stuart McCrory, Jacobi Goodfellow, Mats, Elmsater, Enrique Haussler, Hollis Donaldson, Nedim Hrustic (Ramak Safi 56), Sean Steed (Stephen Durr 68), Jonathan Glenn (Akinwale Leyimu 60), Tomislav Krizanovic, Adam Allee, Tyler Williams
Subs not used: Josiah Holtz, Riley Butler, Ryan Billins, Nick Salafrio