Reeves' Army

Orlando City dominated possession but was frustrated at the other end, and lost composure in their 3-0 loss to Toronto FC last night.

In the first half, the Lions outright dominated the Reds, taking a large majority of the possession. The Reds seemed to have great difficulty keeping the ball for themselves. Also at issue for them was their goalkeeper’s punts: Josh Bendik put one of them off Dennis Chin’s face, though it rebounded wide for a goal kick.

One of the big issues of the match was late in the first half, when a dubious offside call waved off a header goal by Long Tan. At another point, the same linesman called a goal kick when the ball didn’t seem to go fully over the line. The first half ended scoreless.

The second half started with the same domination on our end, until Taylor Morgan snuck behind Miguel Gallardo and scored the first goal for Toronto at 54′. About 20 minutes later, Kieron Bernard was called for a handball and a penalty, which was converted by Terry Dunfield.

In the immediate aftermath of the PK, an altercation occured between Adama Mbengue and one of the Toronto players. Though observers said the Toronto player started it, Adama was the only one shown red, leaving the Lions down a man and likely ending his training spell with Sporting Kansas City.

Though Toronto would add a third goal at 87′ by Jonathan Osorio, they continued to have difficulty maintaining possession against the Lions for the remainder of the match. Our team simply wasn’t able to convert any of its chances.

********

In the other matches of the day…

In Group A, Columbus Crew man-handled Philadelphia Union, 4-0, to take a commanding lead in Group A. Orlando City is actually in third place in the group by goal differential. If Orlando City draws their third match on Saturday against the Crew, and the Union can’t win, then we will escape the bottom of the group. Second place is possible for the Lions if both they and the Union win their third matches.

In Group B, Montreal Impact beat Tampa Bay Rowdies, 4-1; while Sporting Kansas City beat DC United, 2-0. Mechack Jerome found it very easy to work with Graham Zusi for Sporting. Montreal leads Group B, while the Rowdies have all but clinched last place with a -7 goal differential.

Last night, Orlando City made their official season debut, battling Philadelphia Union to a 1-1 draw.

The first half saw Union take more initiative, but ultimately proved fruitless for either team. As the second half started, the Lions got more on the front foot. Dennis Chin took advantage of a very poorly-taken goal kick, and buried a highly-oblique shot at 54′ to put the Lions on the board first.

Our defense held well most of the time, but we did allow Leo Fernandes to sneak in for a goal off a deflection at 75′.

You’d think after that many meetings, a top-flight team would be able to beat a third-tier team.

The Lions will play Toronto FC on Wednesday night at 8pm.

BTW: The match replay has been officially posted on YouTube in glorious 720p.

It’s about time we got back in the swing of things!

We got an interesting mashup of news this past Wednesday. When the team announced they re-signed Erik Ustruck, they threw in a nice, juicy extra: we signed former Rowdies forward Long Tan.

He came to the U.S. from his native Mainland China (he’s from Dalian) in 2008, and found his way onto the Rowdies’ opening roster in 2010. The past two years, he’s spent under the control of MLS teams, and was most recently with DC United at the end of last season.

He has 15 goals in 20 caps at the PDL level over the past four seasons. The 24-year-old forward could match up with Dennis Chin up front, allowing Jamie Watson to play his native midfield position more often.

As for the Union, they are still trying to find traction in MLS. They were 10-6-18 (W-D-L) last season, only good for 8th out of 10 in the Eastern Conference. I guess there’s a reason we’re 1-1-0 against them. We’ll see what happens.

Orlando City crunches the numbers. The Scoring Third has their preview, as well as Rip Roaring 11.

Orlando City appeared to squander its opportunities in the match, but a goal at the death by Max Griffin salvaged a 1-1 draw against Philadelphia Union. (WFTV video report here.)

It was pretty well evenly-matched like last year, and City earned a penalty at 23′. But John Rooney ended up hitting it straight at Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath. A few minutes later, a rash challenge just outside the box gave Union a point-blank free kick. Gabriel Gomez knocked it across, and Danny Califf headed it into the goal at 27′ for the early lead.

The subs came in for the second half, including Harrisburg City Islanders goalkeeper Chase Harrison, who is on trial with the Union again. City attacked often into the supporter end, but didn’t get quite on goal. A great opportunity presented itself late when one of our trialists dribbled the ball into the crease, overthought what should’ve been a tap-in shot past Harrison, and ended up popping it wide.

Our salvation came in the last minute of stoppage time. A pair of corner kicks led to Max Griffin slamming it past Harrison and into the net for the equalizer at 90+3′. Union was left without time enough to answer back.

Attendance was 5,963. Although not my fantasies of a sold-out 100s bowl, attendance was still a quantum leap above what we had at least year’s Union friendly. We also had a much stronger showing from Philadelphia fans and the Sons of Ben. Extra credit to the ones who drove here from Philadelphia.

********

Orlando City now prepares for the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, which begins on February 24 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Their first match will be against Toronto FC on Saturday, February 25, at 6pm. But I would suggest fans go to EVERY game possible. Individual days, which get you in for both matches that day, are $15.50 for adults, $10.50 for children. There is also a pass to the entire tournament for $69.

If you are a season ticket holder, you can get discounted tickets to the tournament. For season ticket holders, individual day tickets are $8 each, and the tournament pass is $49. You can call the Orlando City office at 855-675-2489 for more information.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is off Osceola Parkway. From I-4, take exit 65 and head west from there. Turn left on the first light after I-4, Victory Way.

The day is just about here. In 30 hours, Orlando City will launch its second season with the return of Philadelphia Union.

Lions columnist Chris Jones in his new pre-match feature OC3 reports on what has changed this offseason in the City of Brotherly Love. The Union of this year is far different from the one of last year. Their first designated player, forward Sebastien Le Toux, has been traded to Vancouver Whitecaps. Around the same time, goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon abruptly left the club and returned to his native Colombia.

Now they are relying on Colombian midfielder Roger Torres, young Congolese striker Danny Mwanga and sophomore goalkeeper Zac MacMath. What kind of force will they muster against the Lions, especially if they remain at full strength longer than 17 minutes?

Lions comm. director Adam Soucie in his new morning feature, the Morning Roar, states that developing fitness and team unity is the first priority of tomorrow night’s match. A win like last year is merely a bonus. There are rumors circulating that Lewis Neal will come off trial with Real Salt Lake and be back in time to return to the field for Orlando City.

Of course, we will still sorely miss departing players Lawrence Olum, Yordany Alvarez and Devorn Jorsling. Now is the time to see what incoming players like Matt Luzunaris, James O’Connor and John Rooney can bring to the table.

As part of a promotion with presenting and shirt sponsor Orlando Health for Heart Health Month, the team is asking all attending fans to wear red, especially red jerseys old and new. The first 2,000 fans in the gate get red rally towels. They will also hand out vouchers for heart health screenings during the match.

I am calling Union Week. It’s time to get the band back together, and return to the scene of the crime, hoping to create new memories and push the Lions to new heights.

Philadelphia Union is in town for training, and will warm up this afternoon with a scrimmage against the UCF men’s soccer team at 1pm at Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex in Deltona.

The Orlando City match is on Saturday night, February 18, at 7:30pm. Those who wish to buy tickets just to this game can do so through Ticketmaster.

Season ticket holders should have received their tickets by now. If you just bought your season tickets, which are still available through the team front office at 855-675-2489 or the team website, you can likely get them through Will Call.

Also, parking passes for the 2012 season are available through the team front office. $120 gets you into Lot L for every 2012 game, including this one, all regular season games, and any postseason games and summer friendlies.

I am unsure about the other supporters’ groups, but The Ruckus plans on tailgating starting at 1pm in Lot L.

The team will hold an afterparty downtown at Mojo’s Bar and Grill on Church Street Station, at Church and Garland. Best parking is at the surface lot at Garland and Central, just one block down.

Orlando City has released its 2012 preseason schedule.

All of the usual suspects from 2011 will again be involved.

Tickets for the Philadelphia Union friendly go on sale to the public this Wednesday, February 1. Season ticket holders should get their tickets to this game soon.

Tickets are currently available for the games at the Pro Soccer Classic through TicketMaster. It’s $15.50 per day for adults, $10.50 per day for children, and that gets you in for both games that day. There is also an all-tournament pass for $69. All these are available with discounts to season ticket holders if you call the team office at 855-675-2489.

I am unsure about the Old Dominion friendly or the Rollins friendly, but the Stetson and Tampa friendlies will be free.

Orlando City has signed British midfielder Anthony Pulis, the son of Stoke City manager Tony Pulis.

Pulis has spent most of his career as a backup, being loaned all over England over the past 9 seasons. He only played two matches for the Potters during his stint at his father’s club, spending his time transferred to four other clubs. He was transferred to the Lions from Aldershot Town.

New forward Matt Luzunaris sat down for a brief write-up with City writer Chris Jones yesterday. In that write-up, he talks about how he likes the European-style play Adrian Heath and Ian Fuller expect at Orlando City. He also said he’d love for the Lions to face his old club, San Jose Earthquakes, some day.

The team and its supporters are getting ready for the opening match of 2012, the February 18 friendly against Philadelphia Union. Make sure to tag up with the Facebook event page. The Ruckus will be tailgating starting at 2pm, and there are events being planned for after the 7:30pm match.

Reeves’ Army wishes you a Happy New Year! 2012 promises to be a very exciting time for soccer in Orlando.

I have started using a different blog style that is more tablet-friendly. (more…)

Orlando City is about to finish the sale prices for season tickets.

Tomorrow is the final business day for the discounted season ticket prices. The supporters’ section is currently $150, the sideline ends are $199, and the midfield sections are $259. In addition, youth soccer players get tickets at any section for $99 each. After Christmas, season ticket prices will rise.

Make sure you get them tomorrow by calling 855-675-2489.

********

Graham Zusi has been called up to the U.S. men’s national team for the first time.

Men’s head coach Jurgen Klinsmann named 20 teams to the full roster, including five players seeking their first cap. Twelve MLS sides are represented in the squad. Six players are coming over from Europe, including Brek Shea, who is training with Arsenal right now.

As for Zusi, an alumnus of Central Florida Kraze, this is doubtlessly the reward for his epic 2011 campaign, where he came of age for Sporting Kansas City and struck a 2011 MLS Goal of the Year candidate.

********

In a bit of an aside, Philadelphia Union has announced a travel package for their fans to come to Orlando for their preseason training, including Orlando City’s 2011 preseason opener.

The three-night hotel package, being organized through TicketLeap by Union’s primary supporters’ group, the Sons of Ben, including hotel stay at the Sheraton Downtown Orlando, busing to practice events in Deltona, hotel transportation to the game on February 18, and game tickets. Air transportation to Orlando is not included.

The ticket packages for Orlando City are now available through the Orlando City ticket office. Of course, the game is included in season ticket packages.