Orlando City enjoys 3-2 win over Brazilian side Ponte Preta in International Friendly
Orlando City won for the first time at home this season as they beat Brazilian side Ponte Preta in an International Friendly game at Orlando Citrus Bowl tonight.
Ponte Preta is one of the oldest football teams established in Brazil still in activity, founded on August 11, 1900, and they took on the latest MLS newcomers in an exciting match in front of a reported 20,501 fans. It was the Brazilian side that started on top and it was no surprise when they went ahead in the 12th minute as Tiago Alves nodded the ball into the back of the net from a Rildo flick on from a free kick on the right edge of the penalty box.
The visitors should have extended their lead in the 31st minute at Orlando goalkeeper Earl Edwards upended the dangerous Rildo, who had broke free of his marker, in the penalty box. Edwards was fortunate to get away with a yellow card for the trip but he then came up with a dramatic save from Rildo’s penalty kick low to his right hand side.
The save seemed to spark Orlando into action and they gained more confidence on the ball. An equaliser came right on the stroke of half time as Bryan Róchez scored his first goal in purple heading home Eric Avila’s corner.
Both teams made one change at the half. Orlando City brought on veteran defender Sean St. Ledger for Seb Hines and Ponte introduced Borges, who was making his debut after spells with top Brazilian sides Sao Paulo FC, Santos and Cruzeiro.
In the 55th minute, Orlando went ahead as Avila supplied a cross from a corner for St. Ledger to powerfully head home as he rose above the Ponte Preta defence. The lead wasn’t to last for long though, as the visitors struck back four minutes later from a free kick on the left edge of the Orlando box. Renato Caja found the back of the net for Ponte with a delightful curling left-footed free kick over the wall and past Edwards in the Lions goal.
The deciding goal came from the penalty spot as Tyler Turner played Cyle Larin in behind the defence for a run at goal. After outrunning his defender, Larin was brought down in the box and the Lions were awarded a penalty that the striker converted himself to give Orlando the win.
Overall, it was a good exercise for Head Coach Adrian Heath and his men. Of particular interest was the moment when Brek Shea came on to team up with Luke Boden on the left hand side. It was something the fans had been waiting for for a while and surely gave the Head Coach plenty to think about as the two combined well to threaten the Brazilians defence on several occasions.
“I was pleased with the guys. We competed in the game really well and obviously I’m delighted for the players, pleased for the supporters,” said head coach Adrian Heath. “But I have to be honest, I’m really pleased with the players to get a few goals and actually feel that even though it was a friendly game to have won the game at all.”
“First and foremost I think we’ve had great support every game,” said defender Brek Shea. “I think for the people who came out tonight, I hope they were pleased. The win was for them and I hope we showed them the excitement of a win. That’s been, for me, the biggest letdown this season is not getting three points at home for the fans.”
The win moves Orlando City to 2-5-1 all time in international friendlies during the past five years. The Lions previously defeated English Premier League club Newcastle United 1-0 while in USL in 2011.
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Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Earl Edwards, D Luke Boden, Seb Hines (Sean St. Ledger 46′), Conor Donovan, Rafael Ramos (Tyler Turner 84′), M Amobi Okugo (Danny Mwanga 63′), Harrison Heath, Cristian Higuita, F Kevin Molino (Eric Avila 18′), Kaká (Brek Shea 25′), Bryan Róchez (Cyle Larin 71′)
Ponte Preta – GK Marcleo Lomba, D Rodinei, Pablo, Tiago Alves, Gilison (Juninho 73′), M Fernando Bob, Josimar, Paulinho (Borges 46′), Renato Caja, F Biro Biro, Rildo (Adrianinho 80′)
