Orlando’s Newest Pro Team Takes The Pitch Against A Most Legendary Side
Pictures by: Chris McEniry, Words by: Mark Christopher
[Orlando, FL] For the nearly seven thousand fans in attendance, Sunday night’s friendly match-up between the hometown squad and a real live English Premier League powerhouse was a little slice of soccer heaven.
And even though the final score was Bolton Wanderers 3, Orlando City Lions 1, the game was competitive and served the visitors well. All Bolton was looking for was a decent, injury-free dry run against a quality team and the Lions delivered.
And then some.
Sure, the outcome was practically pre-determined: Bolton, despite only having a few weeks of training under their belts, is simply the better team. They are bigger, stronger and more talented in virtually every statistical category.
And that’s not taking anything away from Orlando, who is a class act and currently the best thing going in the highly competitive USL Pro League.
Bolton has been around since 1877 (from 1874-77 they were known as Christ Church FC), while Orlando is still working on completing its highlight reel of an inaugural season. They are two teams from different worlds, more or less, on two different planes of soccer existence.
Bolton is a legend. Orlando’s history book still has the price tag on it.
But that didn’t stop the crowd from enjoying this soccer treat for all it was worth. And Orlando’s players from getting a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against – and learn something from – the Wanderers and all of its high-priced superstar talent.
And guess what? This weekend (July 23) the Orlando City Lions get to do it all over again in the second leg of the 2011 Premier League Challenge. Another legendary English team – Newcastle United – pays a visit for a Saturday night friendly at 7:30 p.m.
Call 855-643-2489 for tickets.
The Bolton Wanderers warm up before the game. For Bolton, the game was a glorified scrimmage in preparation for their English Premier League season, which starts next month.
Photographed on July 17., 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Colorful Bunch
The four officials march onto the field flanked by a colorful selection of players, goalkeepers, children and photographers.
Photographed on July 17., 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
No doubt about it: Bolton Wanderers team captain Kevin Davies was the star of the Sunday-night show. Here, he marches off the field with Orlando’s pre-game exchange banner. No doubt he’ll keep that one on the mantle.
The Wanderers’ first opportunity to score came in minute 15. Bolton’s Chung Young Lee saw that Orlando City keeper Miguel Gallardo was out of position and tried to lob it over, but the shot was too high.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Orlando City Lions midfielder Luke Boden looks on early in the match. Even though they were outmatched and tired from the previous night’s league match, the Lions put up a fight on their home turf. One of Orlando’s best chances of the first half off of a corner kick.
The Lions’ first big breakaway was a dud. As was the second. Both were shot down in their prime by less-than-stellar final passes. lions strung an unbelievable series of passes again only to be thwarted in front of goal no less by an awful blunder. A sure sign of tired legs.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Lions’ Rob Valentino challenges Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan for the ball in front of the goal early on in the game. The Lions’ defense was pretty darn good, although they were probably tired from the night before having beaten Rochester 2-1 in league play the night before.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Head Games
It didn’t take long for Bolton to get on the board with this fabulous header by an unmarked Kevin Davies in the 18th minute. It was a result of an amazing cross from Martin Petrov. It was Bolton’s first goal on American soil this year. It seemed a bit effortless, actually
And despite the three goals allowed, Orlando’s goalkeeper Gallardo came through decisively when needed. At the 32 min. mark he made an awesome diving save after some very nifty ball movement by Bolton.
Davies commented after the game that Bolton’s play against Orlando “was a good progression.” He also emphasized that the training in the Florida heat and climate would be good for the team going into the season.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
One For The Home Team
Orlando City’s Matt Luzanaris gets a well-earned blast of cold water after scoring a great break-way goal in the 28th minute to even the score. That sparked the Citrus Bowl’s rave music. It was Luzanaris’ second goal in two games.
Bolton retaliated quickly but muffed the dramatic opportunity. As day turned to night, with shadows appearing on the field, the Lions began to take shape.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Focused
All business for Orlando City’s Yordany Alvarez. One of the players added after the game that the game was “great, a dream come true to play guys you see on TV. … glad we played well.” They played well enough, apparently, to cause Bolton to feel the need to play extra-aggressively, with the team earning a yellow card for a rough tackle in second half.
The newly laid artificial grass field looked great, by the way. The Bolton players seemed to find reasonable comfort in the surface.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Support System
The Orlando City Lions continue to draw impressive numbers to their games. And their fans are already legendary within the league. This young lady looks on intently as Orlando soccer history is played out before her.
Bolton’s Darren Pratley got a junk goal in the 36th minute thanks to a huge defensive mistake on a corner. It was now 2-1 Bolton.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1320 x 1980.
Back In Business
Another defensive break down led to a relatively easy goal in the 39th minute by Martin Petrov, who had the assist on the 1st goal. It was starting to unravel for Orlando City. It was now 3-1 Bolton with more than 5 mins to go in the first half.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
A Battle For Supremacy
Orlando City Lions midfielder Kevin Molino aggressively pursues Bolton midfielder Marcos Alonso. It was at this stage of the game, with the score tied 1-1, that Bolton’s meddle was tested.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Children Of The Night
Sure, they have the wrong jerseys on, but these two lads are learning that the sport of soccer – or if you prefer, football – is bigger than any one team.
The Lions boast a lot of local talent on the field, including a former players for Lake Mary High and UCF.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 93 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Leader Of The Pack
Bolton coach Owen Coyle is a true legend of the sport, having had a storied career as a player and now coach. He has been Bolton’s coach since January of 2010. The grissled vet was mobbed after the game for autographs.
In his post-game media interview, Coyle said that both teams “played with tremendous spirit.” He was happy to see that his Bolton squad had “scored some very good goals.” Ultimately, he considered the team’s efforts in in The Sunshine State “stepping stones.”
“Players are working so hard, that bodes well for the new season,” said Coyle cooly after the match.
As for Orlando City, what was his impression? “They are doing terrific … and you can see why.”
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 70 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Audience Participation
The action on the field was exciting, but the stadium was truly rocking no doubt thanks to true fans of the sport like these chaps.
Orlando City’s fervent fans ignited with a great goal by midfielder Kevin Molino in the second half, only to see it called back due to him being called for being in an offside position. Not everyone agreed with the call.
Both teams were pressing hard up to the final minute.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 70 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Snap Judgment
A fan gets a one-of-a-kind photo on her cell phone with Bolton’s Ricardo Gardner. Surely this one made it to Facebook. The final attendance was listed at 6,932.
“It was a great experience for our players,” said Orlando City coach Adrian Heath. “The result did not come out in our favor, but this was a chance for our younger players to see what the top level of competition is like. I am very pleased with tonight.”
Bolton moved on to Houston next where they pulled out a 2-1 victory over a tough Dynamo MLS squad. As for Orlando, they wrap up their regular season with a few games in August.
Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 17 mm focal length; flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Lead image: Orlando City’s Devorn Jorsling makes a move against some tough Wanderers defense. Photographed on July 17, 2011 by Chris McEniry for Sunshine Slate. Canon EOS 7D; 300 mm focal length; no flash; re-sized to 1980 x 1320.
Bolton Wanderers official website
Orlando City Lions official website
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