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Orlando City U23s Defeated 1-0

May 30, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orlando City SC News Release


Bradenton, Fla. - The IMG Bradenton Academics defeated the Orlando City U23s 1-0 on Wednesday, May 29 at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla. After struggling to maintain possession throughout the match, the Lions conceded a late goal to IMG and recorded their second consecutive loss.

"We started the game strong and passed the ball well, but in the second half we just weren't good enough," said U23s Head Coach Paul Shaw in an interview with Orlandocitysoccer.com after the 1-0 loss.

The Lions began the match controlling the flow of the game, and the Orlando City style of play was clearly evident in the opening minutes. The Lions were seemingly a more unified group and moved the ball around the pitch fluidly, yielding several opportunities.

In the 16th minute of play, the young Lions' high pressure forced a dangerous turnover deep inside IMG's half- which created their first chance of the match. Midfielder Paul Clowes collected the loose ball and attempted to chip IMG Goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton, who was caught off his line, but missed the target by inches.

In the following moments, IMG would respond with an attacking play of their own when Defender Akil Howard ventured forward in the 25th minute, and skipped past several Lion defenders inside the area. Howard picked his head up and pulled the ball back to the penalty spot for Striker Mark Magee, who eventually scuffed his effort wide. As the first half ensued, both sides continued to exchange chances, but neither team was able to create clear cut opportunities to score before the end of the first 45.

The second half began with a different flow, as the Lions came out sluggish and seemed to have heavy legs. However, despite their lethargic play the Lions received a fortuitous opportunity to score when IMG Defender Joseph Toby was called for a handball inside the 18-yard box. Orlando City U23s Captain Nicolas Russo stepped forward to take the penalty for the Lions, but Wolverton guessed the right way and made a huge save to prevent the Midfielder from scoring. Wolverton's save seemed to give IMG a boost and the Bradenton-based side began coordinating a wave of attacking plays- forcing Goalkeeper Tomas Gomez to make countless saves.

IMG's relentless counter-attacks began disrupting the U23s style of play and caused the Lions to give the ball away in dangerous areas of the pitch. As a result, Midfielder Ryan LeMasters tucked the ball home from a dangerous corner kick- after the Lions failed to clear the ball out of the box.

The U23s would continue to battle back in search of a late equalizer, but were unable to produce any last minute heroics- resulting in their second loss of the season. The Lions (1-2-1, 4 points) play their next two matches on the road against Southwest Florida Adrenaline and Mississippi Brilla, before returning home to face Ocala Stampede on June 14, at Seminole Soccer Complex.

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