2014 Orlando City SC season

Orlando City
2014 season
President Phil Rawlins
Manager Adrian Heath
Stadium Hess Field 17, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
USL Pro 1st
USL Pro Playoffs QF
U.S. Open Cup 4th round
WDW Pro Soccer Classic T-3rd
Top goalscorer League: Kevin Molino (20)
All: Kevin Molino (25)
Highest home attendance 5,029 vs
LA Galaxy II (June 28)
vs Charlotte (Aug. 2)
vs Harrisburg (Aug. 16)
Lowest home attendance 4,206 vs
OC Blues (June 11)
Average home league attendance 4,743
Home colors
Away colors
Third colors

The 2014 Orlando City SC season was the club's fourth season of existence in Orlando, and their final season before the team was elevated to Major League Soccer. The team entered the season as the defending USL Pro champions, beating Charlotte Eagles in the Championship Game after finishing second in the regular season.

Background

On November 19, 2013, it was announced that Orlando City would be the next expansion franchise in Major League Soccer, the league's 21st team, to begin play in 2015.[1] The announcement was made at Church Street Station in downtown Orlando, in the old Cheyenne Saloon, and was attended by an overflow crowd estimated by the Orlando Police Department at around 4,000. This made 2014 their final season in USL Pro.

Manager Adrian Heath said that the construction of the team for the 2014 season will be centered around getting players who can potentially move up with the team in 2015.[2] As a result, he allowed several player contracts to lapse, only keeping a handful of vital personnel. He also signed goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski away from Los Angeles Blues, to play behind starting goalkeeper and team captain Miguel Gallardo.

Orlando City continued their affiliation with Sporting Kansas City through the MLS-USL Pro development alliance for the 2014 season. For the season, Sporting began transitioning their affiliation to Oklahoma City Energy FC, and would split their transfers between the two clubs before making Oklahoma City their sole affiliate in 2015.[3]

The day before the MLS announcement, Orlando City and Orlando Health announced that the hospital system had signed a multi-year sponsorship contract which would make Orlando Health the team's presenting sponsor for its final USL Pro season, and going into MLS.[4]

On June 3, 2014, Phil Rawlins sold Orlando City's USL Pro franchise license to minority owner Wayne Estopinal. While Orlando City moves on to MLS, the remaining USL Pro team will move to Louisville, Kentucky, in 2015 and become Louisville City FC. The team will maintain Orlando City's MLS colors. At the same time, James O'Connor retired as a player to become Louisville City's manager.

With the Citrus Bowl under construction, and their new stadium planned to open in 2016, Orlando City moved their games to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. They played at Field 17 in the Hess Sports Fields, where they invested to expand its capacity to 5,300.[5]

Competitions

Friendlies

WDW Pro Soccer Classic

The team announced on December 5, 2013, that they would return to the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic.[6]

I-4 Derby

USL Pro

All times from this point on Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−04:00)

USL Pro Regular Season

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
28 19 5 4 56 24  +32 62 13 1 0 39 8  +31 6 4 4 17 16  +1

Source: Match reports

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
GroundAHHHAAHAAAHHHHAHAHAAHAHAAHAH
ResultDDWWWWWWDWWWWWWWLWDLWLWLWWDW

Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Results
Standings
Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Orlando City (C) 28 19 5 4 56 24 +32 62 Commissioner's Cup, Playoffs
2 Sacramento Republic FC (A) 28 17 4 7 49 28 +21 55 Playoffs
3 LA Galaxy II (A) 28 15 6 7 54 38 +16 51
4 Richmond Kickers (A) 28 13 12 3 53 28 +25 51
5 Charleston Battery (A) 28 11 8 9 36 31 +5 41
6 Rochester Rhinos (A) 28 10 8 10 29 25 +4 38
7 Wilmington Hammerheads (A) 28 9 11 8 35 33 +2 38
8 Harrisburg City Islanders (A) 28 10 7 11 45 46 −1 37
9 Arizona United SC 28 10 5 13 32 47 −15 33[lower-alpha 1]
10 Oklahoma City Energy FC 28 9 5 14 32 37 −5 32
11 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 28 9 5 14 35 49 −14 32
12 Charlotte Eagles 28 9 4 15 33 40 −7 31
13 Orange County Blues FC 28 9 1 18 31 54 −23 28
14 Dayton Dutch Lions 28 6 4 18 28 63 −35 22
Updated to match(es) played on September 7, 2014. Source: USL Pro official standings
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs; (C) Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record).
Notes:
  1. ↑ Arizona was deducted two points for fielding an ineligible player on June 21 against LA Galaxy II.[7][8]

USL Pro Playoffs

Quarter-Finals Semi-Finals USL PRO Championship
         
1 Orlando City 0
8 Harrisburg City Islanders 1
8 Harrisburg City Islanders 3
4 Richmond Kickers 2
4 Richmond Kickers (a.e.t.) 2
5 Charleston Battery 1
8 Harrisburg City Islanders 0
2 Sacramento Republic 2
2 Sacramento Republic 4
7 Wilmington Hammerheads 1
2 Sacramento Republic 3
3 LA Galaxy II 2
3 LA Galaxy II 2
6 Rochester Rhinos 1

U.S. Open Cup

Orlando City entered the U.S. Open Cup in the second round.

Club

Roster

No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo (captain)  Mexico
2 Defender Tyler Turner  United States
3 Defender Brad Rusin  United States
4 Defender Tommy Redding  United States
5 Defender Rafael Ramos  Portugal
6 Midfielder Anthony Pulis  Wales
8 Midfielder Adama Mbengue  Senegal
9 Forward Giuseppe Gentile  United States
11 Forward Corey Hertzog  United States
12 Midfielder Harrison Heath  England
13 Midfielder Austin da Luz  United States
14 Defender Luke Boden  England
15 Forward Dennis Chin  United States
16 Midfielder Aodhan Quinn  United States
17 Midfielder Darwin Ceren  El Salvador
18 Midfielder Kevin Molino  Trinidad and Tobago
19 Defender Bitielo Jean Jacques  Haiti
21 Goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski  United States
22 Defender Rob Valentino  United States
23 Defender Justin Clark  United States
24 Midfielder Estrela  Angola
25 Midfielder Ian Christianson  United States
26 Goalkeeper Rafael Díaz  United States
27 Midfielder Brian Span (on loan from FC Dallas)  United States

Squad information

No.Nat.PlayerBirthdayPrevious club2014 USL Pro appearances2014 USL Pro goals
Goalkeepers
1MexicoMiguel GallardoOctober 24, 1984United States Austin Lightning24–
21United StatesCarl WoszczynskiApril 18, 1988United States Los Angeles Blues4–
26United StatesRafael DíazOctober 8, 1991United States St. John's University––
Defenders
2United StatesTyler TurnerMarch 4, 1996United States IMG Academy Bradenton231
3United StatesBrad RusinSeptember 5, 1986Canada Vancouver Whitecaps FC232
4United StatesTommy ReddingJanuary 24, 1997United States FC America15–
5PortugalRafael RamosJanuary 9, 1995Portugal S.L. Benfica Juniors U-1941
7United StatesBryan BurkeJanuary 3, 1989United States Los Angeles Blues7–
14EnglandLuke BodenNovember 26, 1988England Sheffield Wednesday F.C.232
19HaitiBitielo Jean JacquesDecember 28, 1990United States VSI Tampa Bay FC7–
22United StatesRob ValentinoDecember 21, 1985United States Tampa Bay Rowdies191
23United StatesJustin ClarkOctober 17, 1988United States Rollins College13–
Midfielders
6WalesAnthony PulisJuly 21, 1984England Aldershot Town F.C.121
8SenegalAdama MbengueDecember 1, 1993United States Orlando City U-23273
10CubaYordany Álvarez#May 24, 1985United States Real Salt Lake131
12EnglandHarrison HeathApril 16, 1996England Norwich City U-187–
13United StatesAustin da LuzOctober 9, 1987United States Carolina RailHawks185
16United StatesAodhan QuinnMarch 22, 1992United States Philadelphia Union16–
17El SalvadorDarwin CerenDecember 31, 1989El Salvador Juventud Independiente232
18Trinidad and TobagoKevin MolinoJune 17, 1990Trinidad and Tobago Ma Pau SC2720
20United StatesMikey LopezFebruary 20, 1993United States Sporting Kansas City†9–
24Republic of IrelandJames O'Connor#September 1, 1979England Sheffield Wednesday F.C.1–
24AngolaEstrelaSeptember 22, 1995Portugal S.L. Benfica Juniors U-1951
25United StatesIan ChristiansonMarch 6, 1991United States New York Red Bulls3–
27United StatesBrian SpanFebruary 23, 1992United States FC Dallas191
Forwards
9United StatesGiuseppe GentileOctober 18, 1992United States Chicago Fire112
15United StatesDennis ChinJune 4, 1987United States Central Florida Kraze265
11United StatesCorey HertzogAugust 1, 1990Canada Vancouver Whitecaps FC214

† = Denotes players on loan through USL Pro-MLS Reserve League alliance
# = Denotes players who retired during the season

Preseason Trialists

Transfers

In

Out

Loan In

Loan Out

  • Brazil Kaká, loaned out for six months to São Paulo, his hometown club. Kaka will then start play with Orlando City on January 1, 2015 in preparation for the Club's inaugural MLS season.[10]

Media

For the 2014 season, all matches will stream live on YouTube. The team's webcasts in 2014 are produced with assistance from the ESPN Innovation Lab.[23] Occasional matches will appear on Bright House Sports Network. Some home matches can be heard on the radio as well, either 740 the Game or 102.5/107.7-HD2 WLOQ.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1655
  2. ↑ http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1647
  3. ↑ http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-energy-fc-has-new-coach-affiliation-with-sporting-kansas-city/article/3916501
  4. ↑ http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1653
  5. ↑ http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1643
  6. ↑ http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1668
  7. ↑ "Arizona United SC deducted two league points". Arizona United SC. July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Arizona United SC Deducted 2 Points". United Soccer Leagues (USL). July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1769
  10. 1 2 "ORLANDO CITY SIGNS BRAZILIAN SUPERSTAR KAKA". OrlandoCitySoccer.com. Orlando City SC. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
  12. ↑ http://orlandocitysc.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1965
  13. 1 2 http://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1989
  14. ↑ "ORLANDO CITY SC MIDFIELDER JAMIE WATSON TRANSFERS TO MINNESOTA UNITED F.C." Orlandocitysoccer.com. Orlando City S.C. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  15. ↑ "ORLANDO CITY TRANSFERS DEFENDER JOSEPH TOBY". Orlandocitysoccer.com. Orlando City S.C. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  16. ↑ http://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/?article_id=1890
  17. ↑ http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1695
  18. ↑ http://www.orlandocitysc.com/news/?article_id=2020
  19. ↑ http://orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1766
  20. ↑ http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1785
  21. ↑ http://soccerly.com/article/roughnecks77/brian-span-happy-to-return-to-fc-dallas
  22. ↑ http://orlandocitysc.com/news/pronews/?article_id=1975
  23. ↑ "{title}". Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
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