The twitter announcements and commentary were muted throughout the day. It was hard to know that Wednesday’s game between Orlando City and the Jacksonville Armada had any kind of importance. The game had been given its proper perspective.
Through all the banners and signs of solidarity and the minute of solid cheering from the opposing fans to honor the 49 killed in Sunday’s tragic mass shooting at Pulse night club, things began to feel a little bit more normal.
Some of the signs put up by Jacksonville fans in support of Orlando. #OrlandoUnited pic.twitter.com/iSHOWGWnRB
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank) June 15, 2016
Play continued but entire crowd stood in applause #OrlandoStrong pic.twitter.com/Rxbq02ronO
— Alicia Rose DelGallo (@OSAliciaD) June 16, 2016
The Iron Lion Firm and The Ruckus supporters who traveled north to Jacksonville cheered and banged their drums. A soccer game was played.
And just 10 or so minutes after the fans paid tribute tot hose lost, Julio Baptista earned a free kick just outside the box. The free kick attempt earned Orlando City a corner kick. Antonio Nocerino’s corner kick found Baptista’s head as he directed it to the far post for David Mateos to head it in himself.
Orlando City could celebrate. The city could celebrate. Celebrate something normal at last.
In the first sporting event involving an Orlando sports team since the weekend, Orlando City advanced in the U.S. Open Cup 1-0 over the Jacksonville Armada at Southern Oak Stadium in Jacksonville on Wednesday. A small sense of normalcy could return to a city still mourning. We can talk and enjoy soccer again.
“If we helped get people’s minds off things for a couple hours, we did our job.” – The Gaffer #OrlandoUntied pic.twitter.com/EKLdkcksx2
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 16, 2016
It still seems a little soon to get too far into the details of the game other than to say Orlando City won and survived in the U.S. Open Cup.
The Lions did not play their full lineup. Cyle Larin got the night off as did Kaka (still nursing an injury suffered during Copa America training). For a U.S. Open Cup game, Orlando City was not expected to play its full complement.
Orlando City controlled the run of play for much of the game. Carlos Rivas’ pace along the wing was difficult for Jacksonville to handle. But the inspiration was not there in the attacking third. It was Jacksonville with the better chances through the first half. Earl Edwards, Jr. made some big saves to preserve the draw. He had to continue doing so in Jacksonville’s last gasp.
Orlando City though made the right plays when it had to. The defensive backs, for a change, were able to deal with just about any threat and kick start Orlando’s play in the midfield.
The Lions gave a momentary relief for a city in need of relief. Victory is always a good thing.
