Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. – Wednesday night’s match against the Charleston Battery begins the final home stretch of matches for the Orlando City Lions. Just three matches remain in the USL PRO regular season. The Lions have already booked their place in the postseason, but seeding in the packed American Division remains up for grabs. A win  will bring Orlando within one point of guaranteeing a top-two finish and playing the divisional semifinals at home. Kickoff at the Florida Citrus Bowl is set for 7:30 p.m.

Orlando and Charleston are familiar with each other, having played each other twice in the last two months. City won the first meeting, a June 21st U.S. Open Cup match, 1-0 on a Rob Valentino header. The Battery returned the favor in league play on July 9th, handing the Lions just their third defeat in league play.

Both squads are fighting for playoff positioning. Orlando City sits at the top of both the American Division and USL PRO with 42 points, but holds just a three-point lead on second-placed Wilmington. Charleston currently holds the fourth and final playoff spot in the American Division, but Charlotte is just three points behind with a game in hand. Orlando could deal a severe blow to Charleston’s playoff chances with a victory.

Orlando will be without forward Matt Luzunaris, who was recalled from his loan spell with the club by Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes late on Tuesday night due to a number of injuries accrued by the Earthquakes’ squad. Luzunaris had two goals in three appearances for the Lions, including the game-tying goal in their 2-1 victory against the Rochester Rhinos on July 16.

The Lions follow up Wednesday’s clash with Charleston with another on Saturday.  If Orlando City wins both matches, they will clinch the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the USL PRO Championship Game.

Tickets are still on sale for both matches, starting at just $12. Please direct all questions regarding tickets to the Orlando City ticket office (855-ORL-CITY).

Proposed Line-up (unofficial)

GK: Miguel Gallardo
DF: Mechack Jerome, Demar Stewart, Kieron Bernard, Jack Traynor
MF: Jamie Watson, Yordany Alvarez, Luke Boden, Lewis Neal
FW: Kevin Molino, Max Griffin

Substitutes

Sean Kelley, Luke Boden, Devorn Jorsling, Justin Fojo, Charlie Campbell, Dennis Chin