Anthony Pulis didn’t pay much attention to the result on Thursday.
For a team that’s only trained together for 10 days, the second year coach was pleased with how the Orlando City B performed after playing to a scoreless draw against the UCF men’s soccer team.
“It was a really worth little exercise for us,” Pulis told reporters after the game. “We’ve been back in training for 10 days, but it’s only so much work you can do on the training ground. I think they’ve been itching to get into a game situation for some days now. It was definitely a positive for us to get them out and get them together, and see what they’re like a real game situation.”
Pulis deployed a striking duo in the first half consisting of returning player Michael Cox and Montverde signee Albert Dikwa. While Danny Deakin, who was selected by the first time in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft, played as a center attacking midfielder.
Lewis Neal played captain for the USL Lions before assistant coach Rob Valentino joined a different squad in the second half. The former Orlando City player played in his usual center back position for most of the second half.
Recently signed from the academy, Joe Gallardo played the entire second half as the team’s lone striker. Goalkeepers Jake Fenlason and Mason Stajduhar each played 45 minutes.
For the Knights, Matias Pyysalo played the full 90 minutes for Scott Calabrese’s team, and contributed in both the attack and defense for much of the game.
“They were great, I think they did fantastic,” said Pulis. “It was really pleasing for me to see we come up against a good opponent because you want to be tested in preseason. You don’t just want to come up against opponents and walk all over them.”
Up next for OCB, a friendly against the Oklahoma City Energy on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton.
Here some photos from Thursday’s friendly at the UCF Track and Soccer Complex:
Orlando Soccer Journal 