Eagles Fall to Orlando in 2013 Championship Game

September 7, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Eagles News Release


Orlando, FL - The Charlotte Eagles fell 7-4 to Orlando City SC in the 2013 USL PRO Championship match on Saturday night. The Eagles received goals from Fejiro Okiomah, Christian Meza and two goals from Christian Ramirez but couldn't overcome MLS loanee Dom Dwyer and the Orlando offense. The match also set a United Soccer League's all-time attendance record with 20,886 fans packed into the Citrus Bowl.

Orlando started fast and furious, trying to capitalize on the record crowd's momentum but couldn't convert on two early corners. Christian Duke came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute but his left footed shot was just high of the goal.

Charlotte found their form as Christian Ramirez's low cross intended for Jorge Herrera was cut out by Rob Valentino. The Eagles opened the scoring in the 20th minute as Fejiro Okiomah got on the end of a Jorge Herrera cross to put the visitors up 1-0.

Sporting KC Forward Dom Dwyer brought the hosts level in the 33rd minute as he picked up the ball from Dennis Chin and sent a shot to the far corner. Dwyer struck again in the 42nd minute off of an Erik Ustruck cross and the Lions took a 2-1 lead.

Christian Ramirez answered less than a minute later as he took a

Ben Newnam cross and safely deposited the ball in the back of the net to send the match to halftime tied at 2-2.

The second half started with both teams being more cautious until Ramirez took a long ball out of back and put the visitors up 3-2 in the 58th minute.

Adama Mbengue was taken down in the box in the 61st minute, Dwyer stepped up and finished to record his third goal of the match. Dwyer wasn't done on the night as he scored again in the 69th minute off a Orlando City corner. Dennis Chin struck again for the hosts a minute later, as his first-time shot was fired into the right corner of the net putting Orlando up 5-3.

Dwyer laid off a pass for Mbengue in the 85th to put the Lions up 6-3.

Charlotte wasn't done fighting as Tommy Smith sent in a cross that was flicked into the goal by Christian Meza in the 87th minute.

Orlando caught the Eagles on a counter-attack in the 90th minute as Chin added his second goal of the night to finish the scoring at 7-4.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 7, 2013


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