Orlando City Extends Unbeaten Run To 17 Games With 2-0 Win Over Wilmington Hammerheads
Orlando City Soccer continued its impressive 2014 USL PRO unbeaten run as they defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads 2-0 at ESPN Wide World of Sports earlier tonight. Dennis Chin and Anthony Pulis scored for Orlando as the Lions extend their unbeaten run to 17 consecutive matches.
“I’m obviously delighted to get the win and keep the run going, which is important,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath after the match. “I thought that there were some excellent performances on our end. We dictated things throughout the entire game and probably had the ball for most of the evening.”
Due to the wet conditions, both sides had a slow start in the opening minutes as they tried to feel each other out. The first sign of action came in the 7th minute when Kevin Molino drove a low effort that skipped just wide of the target.
Four minutes later, Tommy Redding nearly scored his first goal of the 2014 campaign from a deep corner served into the box from Darwin Ceren. The El Salvadorian’s corner was floated to the back-post and Molino knocked it back into the danger area for Redding, who saw his effort cleared off the line.
As the first half progressed, Orlando’s possession finally created an end-product as Dennis Chin (pictured above) found the back of the net in the 33rd minute. The goal was the result of good build-up play on the edge of the area with quick one-touch passing that saw Molino find Chin in the box with time and space. Heading into tonight’s match, the Oviedo native hadn’t scored since bagging a brace against OKC on May 4 but tonight he made no mistake as he drove the ball home past Quillan Roberts in the Wilmington goal.
The second half saw Orlando go two up from the penalty spot as Kevin Molino was clumsily fouled by Sammy Ochoa inside the area. Veteran midfielder Anthony Pulis (pictured above) converted the penalty placing his effort in the bottom right-hand corner sending Roberts the wrong way.
New signing Giuseppe Gentile (pictured above) made his first appearance in purple and white when he was brought on by Head Coach Adrian Heath in the 75th minute. The former Chicago Fire striker nearly added a third in the 87th minute but his strike was well saved by Roberts.
City will now begin preparing for its upcoming road fixture against Sacramento. The California-based club will prove to be a strong test for Orlando as they look to extend the unbeaten run and a 13 point lead over the Richmond Kickers.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC- GK Miguel Gallardo, D Tyler Turner (Justin Clark 81’), Tommy Redding, Rob Valentino, Luke Boden, M Anthony Pulis (Aodhan Quinn 69’), Adama Mbengue, Darwin Ceren, Kevin Molino, Austin da Luz, Dennis Chin (Giuseppe Gentile 76’)
Wilmington Hammerheads- GK Quillan Roberts, D Albert Edward (Cole Troy 73’), Ashani Fairclough, Christian Davidson, Drew Ruggles, M Steven Miller, Tom Parratt, Paul Nicholson, Mikael Oliveira (Sunny Jane 58’), F Manu Apricio, F Sammy Ochoa
More photos from the game at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
