There was some disappointment with Copa America Centenario in Orlando.
From the very beginning the opponents were seen as a bit of a detriment. There were not big matchups that warranted the price of admission. The weather soon took a turn — too hot on Saturday and too rainy on Monday. Attendance has been disappointing even if the games have proven to be exciting and entertaining.
Wednesday’s game between Brazil and Haiti was always the showcase. Even if the game was going to be lopsided anyway.
This was the homecoming and celebration Orlando always wanted from its Copa America experience. The Brazilian and Haitians crowds were out in force on a beautiful night in Downtown Orlando. The result did not matter for the party that was coming for the 28,000-plus announced attendance.
Brazil defeated Haiti 7-1 on a hat trick from Philippe Coutinho.
He scored quickly and decisively in the 14th minute to start the parade, shooting from the top of the box past goalkeeper Johny Placide.
Placide made plenty of strong saves throughout the game for a Haiti team that seemed to be constantly under pressure. With the team trailing 3-0 at halftime, Haiti still came out in the second half and put pressure on Brazil and Placide prevented the score from getting a little ridiculous (not that it was not already) with some nice save. Haiti played with a lot of energy and challenged Brazil plenty, finally breaking through with a goal from James Marcelin in the 70th minute.
This game though was about Brazil. Each goal seemed to be coming with the video game setting at easy.
Coutinho scored again in the first half when a cross to Jonas dropped at his feet, he faked the keeper and passed it to Coutinho to score on the empty net.
He completed his hat trick with a long volley from outside the box in stoppage time. There were constant bad giveaways in defensive areas and Brazil was just the classier team.
The header goal from teenager Lucas Lima in the 67th minute came off some beautiful one-two play to get into the box and then some over dribbling before a cross came to Lima. Falling away from goal, Lima placed the ball perfectly in the corner previously vacated by the goalkeeper.
Again, the difficulty setting was set to easy. Even with Placide giving away a goal on a bad throw after a save where Dani Alves received the throw, crossed it into the box and gave Renato Augusto his first of two goals.
A hat trick and a brace for Brazil. That is the kind of party the largely pro-Brazil crowd got to enjoy the final game in Orlando for Copa America this year.
And that made the whole experience worth it. There was no disappointment and no frustration in the end. Brazil was just victorious and jubilant in the end.
Orlando Solar Bears to be in NHL 17!
The Orlando Solar Bears have long been one of the most unique and favored team names in all of sports. At least they hold a special place in Orlando’s hearts.
Now everyone gets the chance to be a Solar Bear.
In a deal with EA Sports, ECHL teams will now be available in the NHL 17 video game. Fans can now play as the Orlando Solar Bears with jerseys, arena and player likenesses included.
“We are very excited to be working with EA SPORTS and include the ECHL Teams in the NHL franchise,” said Ryan Crelin, Senior Vice President of Business Operations of the ECHL. “The NHL 17 product is an amazing gaming experience, and we are pleased to be able to allow our fans to engage with their favorite ECHL Club or Player within the game, interacting with our League beyond the in-arena experience.”
No word yet if Shades will be included. But that should definitely be an exciting addition for Orlando fans looking into buying a new hockey video game.
UCF, FIU announce kickoff time
The kickoff time for UCF’s Sept. 24 game at FIU was announced Wednesday. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. on beIN Sport.
Last year, FIU started UCF’s tailspin with a 15-14 victory at Bright House Networks Stadium on the opening day of the season. The Knights will be looking for a measure of revenge as they travel to Miami this fall.
UCF kicks off its season at home against South Carolina State on Sept. 3. The FIU game is the final non-conference before the team starts American play at East Carolina.
