Orlando City U-23 pulled ahead first, but fell apart at the end, dropping out of the U.S. Open Cup against NPSL’s Jacksonville United, 2-1.
The match was delayed 90 minutes by lightning, sending the teams scrambling right as they were lining up for introductions. With the wet and oddly chilly conditions as the rain ended and darkness fell, the teams got little traction in the first half, though City was able to press forward quite often.
The Cubs finally hit paydirt early in the second half, with Drew Helm taking a deflection off a cross and burying it at 49′ for first blood. United struggled with an injury, and blew through their three subs through the middle of the second half, leaving at least one player limping across the pitch for several minutes late.
United finally stumbled onto the board when a scrum led to an incidental handball in the penalty box, netting them a penalty kick. Tomislav Krizanovich converted the PK at 81′. Momentum finally went the way of the 2011 NPSL champions, and Ramak Safi put them ahead with a goal at 88′. City had a few chances late, but were unable to get back level.
Jacksonville will host Tampa Bay Rowdies next Tuesday night. Our U-23s now turn their undivided attention to the PDL schedule, hosting Panama City Beach Pirates on Saturday night at 7pm.
Orlando City, meanwhile, will join the U.S. Open Cup fray in the second round next Tuesday night, May 22, hosting KC Athletics of the USASA. They upset the PDL’s Real Colorado Foxes last night, 3-1.
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Three Orlando City players were named to the USL Pro Team of the Week yesterday: forward Max Griffin, midfielder John Rooney and defender Wes Allen. The player of the week was Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nickt, who had ten saves, and has started their season with six straight clean sheets.