A 2+ hour weather delay could not drown the support of FC Cincinnati on Wednesday evening. Many supporters gathered at Rhinehaus, Molly Malone’s and other pub partners to watch FC Cincinnati defeat Orlando City B 3-1 on a rain soaked field in Melbourne, FL.
The first half was a mixed bag. The first 10-15 minutes was filled with each team figuring each other out, but also learning to adapt to the elements. Orlando City B was able to field additional Orlando City SC (MLS) loanees Hadji Barry and Marius Obekop. Obekop had probably the most deadly chance in the half for OCB in the 10th minute. While dribbling on the top of the penalty area, Obekop was able to find space, but Mitch Hildebrandt came up with another great save.
11' Róchez with a blast outside of the 18. OCB attacking early in this match. pic.twitter.com/wnY8EWSLNi
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) May 5, 2016
FC Cincinnati Forward Sean Okoli found space on top of the 20 and launched an effort that went inches wide. A critical point in the first half was when a blatant hand ball was not called by the match referee. The ball was bouncing in the box and was controlled by an OCB defenders forearm. FC Cincinnati was able to get plenty of chances in the first half through their high press but they came away with nothing as they went into the locker room 0-0.
Orlando opened the scoring up in the 2nd half off of a Bryan Rochez penalty kick in the 52nd minute. Orlando played a ball wide down the right flank. Delbridge was nutmegged and Polak dragged down the OCB player for a PK. FC Cincinnati answered in the 57th minute off a Kenney Walker thunderbolt. Walker, almost 30 yards out beat the goal keeper and changed the momentum of the game. See below.
This absolute BLAST from Walker ties it up for @fccincinnati ! ⚽️💨😱 #ORLvCIN https://t.co/N7yFGIQ4f1
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) May 5, 2016
Sean “Ugo” Okoli continued to cause problems for the OCB defense throughout the second half. Okoli intercepted a bad back pass in the 76th minute and was taken down by the Orlando goalkeeper Mark Ridgers. Ridgers was issued a Red Card and Okoli calmly put away the penalty for a 2-1 lead. The game was not done with exciting plays, as Orlando almost tied the game if it wasn’t for the crossbar. Substitute Michael Cox played a ball down the right side. A cross was sent in and Orlando midfielder Jonathan Mendoza was denied by the woodwork.
In the 92nd minute, Omar Cummings laid off a ball to midfielder Eric Stevenson who smashed home the final goal to give FC Cincinnati a 3-1 win. This was a great win for the Orange & Blue as they will travel to Harrisburg tomorrow in preparation for their game on Saturday. Several players looked a little tired including center backs Nicholson and Delbridge along with winger Andrew Wiedeman. I am interested to see how coach Harkes will tinker with the lineup on Saturday. Please make sure to check the site later in the week as we will have our game preview for Harrisburg City along with more staff predictions.
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Also, if you haven’t yet check out some of our recent stories:
Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati – A Simple Man’s Preview
Episode 12 of the Cincinnati Soccer Talk Podcast – The Dreaded Tie
Photo Gallery – FCC vs. Wilmington
@bryanweigel for @cincysoccertalk
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