Reeves' Army

Orlando City fell to Sporting Kansas City last night, 3-2, ending their 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run. But it was not without its controversy.

The issues deal with Sporting midfielder Aurelien Collin. Mid-way through the first half (23′), he yanked Jamie Watson just outside the penalty box on an attack. Even though he was the last defender, he was only shown a yellow card. Even KC fans I was discussing the match with online thought he got away with something.

The issue was further intensified later in the match when Collin wasn’t even stopped for a foul on a challenge that some thought was worthy of a yellow card itself.

Orlando City showed initiative for most of the match, but the Sporting defense was able to clam up early on. The first goal came right at the death of the first half (45+2′) when adjunct captain Paulo Nagamura struck a wündergoal from 30 yards that nobody, much less Miguel Gallardo, would’ve been able to get to.

The Lions continued to press, and finally hit paydirt at 55′ when Kevin Molino buried a pass from Erik Ustruck. But KC was reloading, subbing in nominal starters CJ Sapong and Graham Zusi. That opened the match up for Soony Saad, who notched a quick brace with goals at 65′ and 69′.

During the intermission after KC’s third goal, Anthony Pulis was flagged by the fourth official, caught elbowing a KC player. The incident was off-camera, so we’re not sure who it was, or what possessed him to do it. He was sent off as a result.

Throughout the match, Dennis Chin got several shots at goal, but couldn’t strike his shot until 84′, giving Orlando City new life late. Although they weren’t able to get the equalizer in time, the match was still very close the whole way, with Migual Gallardo notching eight saves to do his part.

Orlando City now focuses on USL Pro play, travelling to Wilmington for a match on Saturday night.

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Orlando City continues their U.S. Open Cup campaign tonight when they play Sporting Kansas City.

The former Wizards are doing well, currently 3rd in the MLS Eastern Conference, but two points out of first with three matches in hand. Their 8-1-3 record belies a weak recent form, going L-L-L-D-W in their last five after starting 7-0-0.

But they’ve only allowed 10 goals (only Seattle has fewer GA, 9 in 13 matches). Swapping one platinum-blond goalie (Kevin Hartman) for another platinum-blond goalie (Jimmy Nielsen) has paid dividends for them thus far.

That is, when Jimmy Nielsen isn’t screwing up historic moments.

That was their inaugural match at  Livestrong Sporting Park last year.

And the Wizards are not taking us lightly either, though they have a shorter turnaround than we do.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention former Orlando City defender Lawrence Olum or Seminole County native Graham Zusi.

The winner of this match, regardless, hosts the winner between Colorado Rapids and Tampa Bay Rowdies. The latter gives the Lions extra incentive, vying for a long-awaited ignition of The War on I-4.

The U.S. men’s soccer national team tore Scotland asunder last night, 5-1, before a crowd of 44,438 in Jacksonville.

Landon Donovan netted his third hat trick in international play with goals at 3′, 60′ and 65′. Michael Bradley added a world-class shot from at least 25 yards out at 11′. Jermaine Jones sealed the deal at 70′.

Scotland was so bad last night, their only goal was an own goal, deflected into our net off Geoff Cameron’s belly from a header by Scottish striker Kenny Miller.

The crowd at EverBank Field last night was the largest crowd ever assembled for a U.S. match in the southeast region of the country. Bigger than any crowd at any U.S. match in Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville or Charlotte. It will undoubtedly open a few eyes in the soccer world, and get Jacksonville more matches in the future.

Up next, the U.S. continues their 18-day, 5-match spell on Wednesday night, playing Brazil at FedEx Field in suburban Washington, Maryland. They will return to Florida to launch qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, playing Antigua Barracuda FC Antigua and Barbuda in Tampa on Friday, May 8.

Orlando City held off a late rally to take a 2-1 win over Charlotte Eagles tonight.

The Lions got an early launch again over the Eagles, with Jamie Watson firing a nice goal at 14′ from well outside the box, slotting it into the upper left corner of the net.

It was wash, rinse and repeat in the second half, this time with a goal from Matt Luzunaris at 53′. Charlotte tried to get on their front foot, and was able to net in a rebound at 79′ before running out of opportunities.

Orlando City continues their U.S. Open Cup run this Tuesday against Sporting Kansas City. Our next home match will be determined by that result.

As for our new mascot, Roary… well, he didn’t get a very warm welcome. Then again, the fans on hand were likely freaked out by the concept of taking the three-lions idea literally. Most of us in The Ruckus agreed he’d be better off with only one head.

Part of me almost feels bad for Full Sail. Almost.

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Meanwhile, Orlando City U-23 finished their opening home stand with a 3-1 win over Ocala Stampede. Goals for the Lions by Will Frandsen (4′), Drew Helm (18′) and Moses Aduny (50′).

They now hit the road, with 5 of their next 6 matches being away. They start next Thursday at Bradenton Academics.

Orlando City looks to continue their unbeaten run when they host Charlotte Eagles tonight at the Citrus Bowl.

With Rochester’s loss to Harrisburg last night, Orlando stands alone with its unbeaten runs. They are on 8 matches to start a season, 12 regular-season matches since last season, and 15 including playoffs. In all three, they stand alone on this day.

As usual, the supporters’ groups have tailgate plans beginning at 4:30pm.

The biggest news, however, is that Orlando City will be unveiling their official mascot at tonight’s match. The team unveiled a new digital bumper package on Thursday night, and will produce a mascot tonight.

The character will be a 3D-animated character created by OjO Animation and students at Full Sail University. They are a relatively new outfit, one of many produced by Full Sail. This could indeed be their biggest production yet.

I only have one thing to say: it better be a lion.

The top of Orlando City Youth Soccer, Orlando City U-20, has begun the first action of our new development system. They won their first match against VSI Tampa Flames U-20, 3-2.

The team, officially known by the USL Super-20 League as “Orlando City Youth Soccer Purple”, is part of the six-team Southeast Division along with Tampa Bay United and Deportivo Ocala, as well as U-20 divisions of PDL teams VSI Tampa Flames, Ocala Stampede and IMG Bradenton Academics.

After another away match next week, the U-20 Lions will play 5 of the next 6 matches at home. Their home field will be Windermere Preparatory School, on Winter Garden Vineland Road (CR 535), roughly half-way between SR 535 and the SR 429 beltway.

The Orlando City website has a schedule for the U-20 team.

Orlando City squandered some opportunities in a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles Blues.

Both the goals were in quick succession. Wes Allen was able to head in an Anthony Pulis corner kick at 22′ for an early lead. The Blues countered well, and Bright Dike was able to take a pass and push it through traffic for an equalizer at 25′.

The second half saw LA control much of the possession, but they weren’t able to produce many actual shot opportunities for their effort. The Lions, for their part, didn’t get much going themselves before they ran out of time.

The best news of the day was the 7,231 attendance, which is by far the best attendance yet achieve by the team for a non-weekend game. Last year, attendance for home games not on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday was generally in the 4k range. It is one of the surest signs yet that soccer is here to stay in Orlando.

Don’t forget Orlando City will do it again tomorrow night when they host Charlotte Eagles. Game time is 7:30pm.

Orlando City continues its campaign tonight at the Citrus Bowl hosting LA Blues.

Tonight is our annual Military Appreciation Night. Several groups and charities will be represented, most prominently Operation Give Back, a local division of the Wounded Warrior Project. In addition, during halftime, some 300 recruits representing four branches of the military will be sworn into service by local Rep. Daniel Webster.

This will also make a great night for graduating seniors of local high schools to celebrate the end of their high school careers. OCPS is dismissing their seniors today.

This is right in the middle of a grueling schedule of four matches in 8 days, bookended by U.S. Open Cup matches.

The U.S. Soccer Federation has released the draw for the fourth round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

If Orlando City S.C. manages to beat Sporting Kansas City next Tuesday, they will host the winner of the match between Colorado Rapids and Tampa Bay Rowdies on Tuesday, June 5.

This brings about the very real possibility of a long-awaited inaugural soccer meeting of The War on I-4. Undoubtedly, that will be a major motivation for both minor-league sides.

Here are some brief results for the second round of the U.S. Open Cup:

NASL were 6-0
USL Pro were 7-3
NPSL were 0-3
PDL were 2-7
USASA were 1-3

According to the U.S. Soccer Federation, the top amateur team will get $10,000 cash. The teams remaining to receive that are Michigan Bucks and Ventura County Fusion of PDL, and Cal FC of the USASA. Cal FC, a gigantic surprise thus far, were put together by Fox Soccer play-by-play announcer and former U.S. men’s team player Eric Wynalda.

The last remaining teams from USL Pro and NASL will each also receive $10,000 cash prizes. The top candidates for those prizes right now are Fort Lauderdale Strikers for the NASL; and Orlando City for USL Pro.

The Strikers rode a hat trick by striker Aly Hassan to lay waste to PDL’s Fresno Fuego, 7-2.

I’ve spoken of the importance of the U.S. Open Cup previously, and it’s no different today. The winning team gets $100,000 cash plus a berth in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League. Until our team makes it to MLS, this is our only outlet to the continental competition, with a route to the FIFA Club World Cup.

In addition, winning the competition allows the claim of the best team in the United States.

Since the beginning of the pro era in 1996, with the opening of MLS, only one sub-MLS team has won the tournament: the Rochester Rhinos, in 1999.

Richmond Kickers made it to the semifinals last year, winning the $10,000 prize for best sub-MLS team. Since the Rhinos won it all, only Charleston Battery among sub-MLS teams has made the final, in 2008.

Can Orlando City rise above and pull off the mother of all upsets? We’ll see if they can take the first step next Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kansas.