KISSIMMEE – It took two hours to get going, but Orlando City B and Fort Lauderdale CF fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Friday night at Osceola County Stadium.
It was the first Floridian derby in USL League One, and the first time Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF’s reserve teams battled each other. It was also the first competitive soccer match held at the former baseball stadium.
Wilfredo Rivera opened the scoring in the 22nd minute to give OCB the lead. He received a ball from Moises Tablante and made space for the shot at the top of the box, hitting it low, taking a deflection on the way in the net.
But in the 39th minute, Fort Lauderdale was back on level terms. The goal came from some opportunistic work by Ricky Lopez-Espin, continuing his impressive goal-scoring form. He closed down the goalkeeper and was able to redirect the attempted clearance into the back of the net.
That was a quick start as the match was delayed in the 11th minute for two hours following lightning.
Throughout the second half, the teams kept the chances coming. It could have been the Lion Cubs in front on the hour mark when Aleksander Gluvacevic got clean through on goal but could only shoot wide.
Just after the hour mark, Lopez-Espin nearly doubled his goal-tally but could only find the keeper’s gloves. He did the same thing again in stoppage time, forcing the teams to split the points.
(Photo: USL League One)
Florida Soccer Report 