USL United Soccer League Championship

Blues Grab Late Victory against Energy

May 12, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - Orange County Blues FC claimed a 1-0 victory against OKC Energy FC on Saturday night as Gibson Bardsley scored in the final minute to give his side victory in front of a sold-out crowd at Pribil Stadium. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Orange County and left OKC looking for its first points in front of its home fans.

The first good chance of the game came to the Energy, but Kyle Grieg's header went over the crossbar. From there, the Blues looked more dangerous with 2013 All-League selection Bardsley leading the way. The former Dayton Dutch Lion had a pair of chances to give his side the lead before the halftime break, but both times was thwarted by OKC's Mark Howard.

Bardsley again threatened in the 68th minute as he forced a good save from Energy goalkeeper Jon Kempin. The Sporting Kansas City loanee and U.S. U20 goalkeeper had to be sharp again two minutes later as he denied Steven Okai on a free kick from just outside the penalty area.

OKC regained momentum in the final 15 minutes and came close to breaking the deadlock with nine minutes to go when David Leighty's shot was saved by Josh Ford. Adnan Gabjelic also went close for the Energy in the 87th minute as his header was saved, but the Blues grabbed all three points in the final minutes as Bardsley latched onto a long clearance and lifted his finish past Kempin for the winner.

MONDAY

LA GALAXY II 2, CHARLOTTE EAGLES 1: Chandler Hoffman scored the game-winner as the LA Galaxy II took victory against the Charlotte Eagles at the StubHub Center Track Stadium.

The Galaxy II opened the game well and Raul Mendiola forced an early save from Brock Duckworth. Los Dos' pressure paid off in the 28th minute as a deflected shot came to Charlie Rugg, who put away a low finish to open the scoring.

Charlotte came to life following the goal, however, and earned a penalty kick when Giuseppe Gentile was brought down in the penalty area. Jorge Herrera stepped up and converted to leave the game level at the break.

The Galaxy II regained the lead 10 minutes into the second half as Hoffman was able to capitalize on a turnover by the Eagles to give his side its fifth win of the season.

THURSDAY

CHARLOTTE 2, ORANGE COUNTY 0: The Charlotte Eagles ended their west coast trip on a positive note as goals by Drew Yates and Ben Newnam earned victory against Orange County Blues at Anteater Stadium.

After a slow start the Eagles took the lead in the 33rd minute when a pass to the top of the penalty area found Yates, who turned inside near the right corner of the box and fired a low shot into the left corner of the net. Newnam added a second just before the hour-mark as he found space on the left and curled a brilliant strike that looped into the right corner.

Orange County tried to get back into the game but the Eagles' defense limited their clear opportunities. Goalkeeper Brock Duckworth made two saves to record the shutout, his second of the season.

FRIDAY

ORLANDO 1, PITTSBURGH 0: Orlando City edged past the Pittsburgh Riverhounds as Kevin Molino scored the only goal at Highmark Stadium.

Orlando opened the scoring in the 14th minute as they intercepted a clearance by the Riverhounds and quickly broke forward. A first-time pass from Dennis Chin released Molino into space and the former USL PRO MVP lifted his finish over Michael Lisch for his fifth goal of the season.

Pittsburgh responded well and forced a number of good saves from Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo throughout the game. The Riverhounds also had a penalty kick denied them after Matthew Dallman was brought down in the penalty area with just less than 20 minutes to play. The referee initially pointed to the penalty spot, but following consultation with his assistant reversed his decision. Pittsburgh's last chance to grab a point came in stoppage time as Alfonso Motagalvan had a free header from 12 yards, but Gallardo clawed the effort around the right post to preserve the shutout.

RICHMOND 4, ARIZONA 0: The Richmond Kickers moved into third place in the USL PRO standings as they took victory against a 10-man Arizona United SC side at City Stadium.

Arizona was reduced to 10 in the 25th minute after an altercation near the center circle saw United's Bradlee Baladez sent off. The Kickers weren't able to take advantage until the second half, but in the 50th minute George Davis IV scored his fifth goal of the season as he finished low into the left corner of the net after Collin Martin had won possession in United's half.

Richmond doubled its lead just past the hour-mark as Taylor Kemp found space on the left and delivered a perfect cross for Matt Delicâte to head home. The game was delayed for 30 minutes by lightning, but once it resumed the Kickers proceeded to put the game away as Christiano Francois beat the offside trap to notch his first professional goal. A late own goal wrapped up all three points.

SATURDAY

WILMINGTON 1, CHARLESTON 0: Paul Nicholson's early goal gave the Wilmington Hammerheads their second road win of the season as they defeated the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium.

Nicholson's goal came in the fourth minute as Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper was able to parry a good free kick by Toronto FC loanee Daniel Lovitz, only for the Hammerheads veteran to put away the rebound.

Charleston came close to tying the game in the 25th minute, only for a shot by Adam Mena to be blocked by Ashani Fairclough. The Battery then had a man advantage for the final half hour as Manny Aparicio was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Heviel Cordoves almost leveled the game with 13 minutes to go as his header went off the crossbar, and Quillan Roberts saved well from Mamadou Diouf to keep the Hammerheads on top. Roberts finished with three saves as he recorded his third shutout of the season.

ARIZONA 1, HARRISBURG 0: Arizona United SC bounced back from its defeat against Richmond with victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders at Skyline Sports Complex. The defeat kept the City Islanders winless at home this season.

United's goal came in the 19th minute when Kadeem Dacres was brought down in the City Islanders' penalty area by Colin Zizzi. Brandon Swartzendruber stepped up and put away the penalty kick for his second goal of the season.

In heavy rain, the City Islanders weren't unable to produce much in the way of response. Arizona goalkeeper Evan Newton made three saves to record the shutout as Morgan Langley and second-half substitute Jimmy McLaughlin tested him, but United was able to hold on to claim its first road win in club history.

ROCHESTER 1, ORLANDO 1: Luke Boden's second-half goal allowed Orlando City to remain undefeated at the top of the USL PRO standings as it earned a draw with the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen's Stadium.

The Rhinos came out positively and took the lead just after the half-hour mark as a good cross from the left by JC Banks was headed into the right corner of the net by Tyler Rosenlund. Orlando came close to tying the game shortly after halftime as Mikey Lopez had his header saved, but the Lions equalized in the 63rd minute when a corner from the left deflected to Boden and his finish crossed the line before the Rhinos could clear.

DAYTON 1, LA GALAXY II 1: The Dayton Dutch Lions earned a point against the LA Galaxy II as they unveiled their new facility with Ruud Gullit in attendance at DOC Stadium.

Both goals came in the first five minutes of the first half. The Galaxy opened the scoring four minutes before the break as a good through ball by Bradford Jamieson IV found Chandler Hoffman, who coolly finished for his fifth goal of the season.

Dayton hit back two minutes later, however, as a handball by Los Dos' Eder Arreola resulted in a penalty kick. Aaron Schoenfeld put the finish away for his second goal of the season.

STANDINGS

Team GP W L T GF GA Pts

Orlando City 9 6 0 3 16 8 21

LA Galaxy II 9 5 1 3 18 11 18

Richmond Kickers 7 3 1 3 18 9 12

Arizona United SC 6 3 2 1 6 11 10

Sacramento Republic FC 7 3 3 1 12 9 10

Rochester Rhinos 7 2 1 4 7 6 10

Charleston Battery 9 2 3 4 10 7 10

Charlotte Eagles 7 3 4 1 10 9 9

Orange County Blues FC 9 3 6 0 10 17 9

Wilmington Hammerheads FC 5 2 1 2 5 5 8

Dayton Dutch Lions FC 7 2 3 2 5 12 8

OKC Energy FC 7 2 5 0 10 11 6

Harrisburg City Islanders 6 1 4 1 3 11 4

Pittsburgh Riverhounds 6 0 3 3 7 11 3

RESULTS

Monday, May 5

LA Galaxy II 2, Charlotte 1

Thursday, May 8

Charlotte 2, Orange County 0

Friday, May 9

Richmond 4, Arizona 0

Orlando 1, Pittsburgh 0

Saturday, May 10

Arizona 1, Harrisburg 0

Dayton 1, LA Galaxy II 1

Rochester 1, Orlando 1

Wilmington 1, Charleston 0

Orange County 1, Oklahoma City 0

SCHEDULE

Friday, May 16

Oklahoma City vs. Richmond, 8 p.m. ET

Saturday, May 17

Harrisburg vs. Dayton, 2 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh vs. Rochester, 7 p.m. ET

Wilmington vs. Charleston, 7:30 p.m. ET

Arizona vs. Orlando, 10 p.m. ET

Sacramento vs. LA Galaxy II, 10:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, May 18

Seattle Reserves vs. Orange County, 4 p.m. ET

Chicago Reserves vs. Richmond, 5:30 p.m. ET

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