Orlando City unplugged the power from OKC Energy FC on Friday night during the expansion team’s home opener and sell out crowd of 4,230 fans. The Lions beat OKC Energy FC 2-1. It wasn’t all positive, however, for the Lions, who couldn’t keep a clean sheet.
The Lions were without the services of defender Rob Valentino and midfielder Darwin Ceren. Valentino suffered an ankle injury during the FC Dallas match while Ceren headed back to Orlando stating personal matters. The absence of Valentino was quite noticeable and could be part of the reason for the more direct approach that the Lions seemed to take. Lions fans are quite used to the possession style play that Orlando is known for, but it didn’t seem to hinder their ability to attack. The new look to the defense was definitely apparent as OKC Energy FC looked to be the better side for much of the match. Energy midfielder Peabo Doue was able to get behind the Lion defense on more than one occasion, but due to some great defensive efforts by Tyler Turner and Miguel Gallardo the score line stayed level at zero.
Dennis Chin would open the scoring sheet on the night. In the 23rd minute, Chin would have a brilliant chance that Energy goalkeeper Jon Kempin sniffed out and saved. Although, just a minute later, Yordany Alvarez would find Chin deep in Energy territory. Kempin was able to save the initial shot, but unfortunately for the goalkeeper his save was rebounded right back to the feet of Chin who put the ball in the back of the net to put City up 1-0.
Orlando played with the wind in the first half and against the wind in the second, both teams would struggle with the heavy gusts and aerial play was kept to a minimum. Nevertheless, the Lions were able to find the back of the net once more just 11 minutes into the second half. Kevin Molino picked off a poor pass in the back field by Energy’s Mark Howard and put it past Jon Kempin to put City up 2-0.
Both teams would continue to attack, but it would be OKC Energy FC who found the back of the net the final time of the night. Deep into stoppage time, Oklahoma native and substitute Stephan Perry found a way past goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo and thus erasing Orlando’s clean sheet.
Orlando City will take a break from the USL PRO this week by playing in their home leg of the I4 Derby against NASL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday April 30th at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Then coming May 4th, Orlando City will face OKC Energy FC at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Both matches are set for 7:30PM EST kickoffs.