USL Orange County SC

Blues Draw 1-1 at Orlando City

May 25, 2012 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orange County SC News Release


ORLANDO, Fla. - The Blues earned a 1-1 tie with league leaders and defending USL PRO champions Orlando City Thursday night behind a disciplined defensive performance and Bright Dike's second goal in three appearances with the Blues. The on-loan Portland Timber was set up by Allan Russell, who made amends for a missed penalty kick in Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup loss to Ventura County . The tally came a mere three minutes after Wes Allen had given Orlando the lead midway through the opening period.

After an uneventful start to the match, the hosts nearly drew first blood when defender Kieron Bernard headed an Anthony Pulis corner kick from the left just over the crossbar. Another in-swinging Pulis corner from the left in the 22nd minute then saw Allen beat goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh to the ball inside the five-yard box and head home to put the host on top.

The Blues responded well and leveled the match only three minutes later. Russell sent an exquisite cross toward the center of the penalty area, where Dike rose above his marker and redirected with his head for a superbly-placed attempt that found its way past goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo and inside the right post for the equalizer.

Visibly energized by the strike, the visitors from California displayed outstanding defensive work throughout the remainder of the half, netminder Amir Abedzadeh only having to make one save as he parried the ball wide on a Jamie Watson drive from the right side of the penalty area.

Head Coach Charlie Naimo's men continued to gain in confidence after the break and didn't allow their opponents any dangerous efforts on goal in the entire second period. In the 79th minute, Carlos Borja came agonizingly close to grabbing all three points for the Blues, as he stole the ball in midfield and took it all the way to the edge of the box before firing a thunderous shot towards goal that took a slight deflection and bounced off the top of the crossbar.

It would be the last opportunity of the match, as the Blues controlled possession in the closing stages and held on for a valuable road point. They hope to build on the strong performance when they travel to take on the Charleston Battery in their second of back-to-back road matches on Saturday. The clash with the traditional USL PRO power is set to kick off at 4.30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on www.USLnation.com.

Orlando City 's next match is also on Saturday, as the Lions hope to return to their winning ways when they welcome the Charlotte Eagles to the Citrus Bowl.

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