Orlando v Wilmington Match Preview
This Saturday’s match for Orlando City vs. the Wilmington Hammerheads is the club’s first ever nationally televised game. FOX Soccer Channel has chosen this game as the USL PRO Game of the Week and calling all the action will be the voice of USL, Kenn Tomasch, alongside USL National Technical Director Peter Mellor, who will provide color commentary. Tomasch is a veteran of many USL broadcasts in previous years, and also serves as host of “USL Breakaway Magazine,” a monthly 30-minute highlight and feature show also seen on FOX Soccer. The first episode of this season’s edition of Breakaway will precede the match broadcast.
Mellor has been a staff coach with the United States Soccer Federation since 1992 and was a professional goalkeeper for two decades, primarily in the English Premier League. He manages the technical aspects of USL’s player development programs and combines, and assists USL teams in scouting, development and advancement of players.
The match itself promises to be an exciting one. Orlando and Wilmington met just two weeks ago in Wilmington. After falling behind 2-1 in the first half, Orlando City roared back with three second-half goals to earn a 4-2 victory. Both teams won their U.S. Open Cup matches last night by a 4-0 scoreline.
There’s some bad news for Orlando though as the USL has handed down discipline for the physical altercation at midfield in last week’s match against Antigua Barracuda FC. Two Orlando City players have been suspended for their role in the incident that started when City defender Rob Valentino was taken down from behind by Lawson Robinson. Valentino popped up and confronted Robinson, only to take a punch. Valentino retaliated, resulting in both teams rushing to defend their teammates. Valentino and Lawson were sent off for the altercation, as were Akeem Thomas (Antigua) and a Barracudas assistant coach.
Further video review by the USL has discovered other players, mostly from the Barracudas, were involved. The additional players have also been suspended and because Antigua has not and will not play another match before City’s visit on June 24th, the Caribbean side will be without several starters for the rematch series.
For City, the two suspended players are Rob Valentino and Jamie Watson. Valentino’s suspension comes as a direct result of his red card. Watson received a two match suspension for joining in the fracas. He will miss the Wilmington match and the first match in Antigua but both players will be available for U.S. Open Cup matches as league suspensions have no effect on the tournament.
Below is the full list of suspensions for both teams and I’ve also added a video showing the action from the Antigua game:
Player Team Suspension
Lawson Robinson ANT 6/24 vs. Orlando
George Dublin ANT 6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando
Quinton Griffith ANT 6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando
Carl Casey (coach) ANT 6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando
Akeem Thomas ANT 6/24 vs. Orlando, 6/26 vs. Orlando
Rob Valentino ORL 6/18 vs. Wilmington
Jamie Watson ORL 6/18 vs. Wilmington, 6/24 @ Antigua
Tickets for the match are still available, starting at just $12. For more information or to order tickets, call 407-536-5368 or visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com today!
