ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City (No. 2 seed) defeated the USL PRO Champions Charleston Battery (No. 3 seed) Friday night 3-2, sending the team to the league’s championship round. The Lions will host the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, September 7 at the Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The Lions set the pace from early in the first half, with Forward Long Tan and Midfielder Adama Mbengue both scoring a goal within the first five minutes of play. After receiving a wellplayed ball from Forward Dennis Chin, Tan launched the ball past Battery’s Goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper, bolstering the Lions 1-0.
Building momentum, the Lions quickly scored their second goal in the fifth minute of play. Defender Erik Ustruck broke past the Battery’s backline, finding Mbengue in the box, who blasted the ball past the Battery goal line. The scoring continued for the Lions in the first half. Winger Luke Boden earned a corner kick, and after the ball was deflected, Chin recovered the ball, tapping it into the goal for a 3-0.
The Battery men found their rhythm in the 33rd minute, after Midfielder Michael Azira capitalized on the Lions’ miscommunication from the backline, ultimately costing the Lions a goal. Cutting into the Lions’ lead even more, Amadou Sanyang scored for the Battery in the 60 minute, cutting the lead to 3-2.
The Battery men continued to attack, pushing to equalize the match. Nevertheless, with help from the solid Lions backline, the Lions were able to hold on to the lead and advance to the championship round.
“We put the game away after the first few goals, but gifted them back into the game,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We’ll move on and try to win next week.”
The Lions will host the Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, September 7 at the Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Fans can purchase tickets by calling (855) ORL-CITY or visiting OrlandoCitySoccer.com.
