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FC Naples coach Matt Poland took a long look around an empty stadium at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex after the club's biggest match to date, against Orlando City in the Round of 32 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Poland knew his team should've been playing in extra time. A vast majority of the sell-out 4,782 in attendance, clad in FC Naples gear, knew it too.
Wednesday, April 15, marked the first time an MLS team had come to Naples to play at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, but that moment was largely overshadowed by a missed call in the 71st minute that ultimately prevented FC Naples, which plays in USL League One, the U.S.'s third division of professional soccer, from securing a landmark win in just their second year in existence.
Off a corner kick, Dominick Bachstein found an opening on the back side of the Orlando City defense, and got enough on it to push it past the goal line in full. A sliding save from defender Nolan Miller came afterwards, clearing the ball out after Bachstein and other FC Naples players converged to celebrate the goal.
FC Naples was denied extra time despite a flurry of opportunities late, falling 1-0 to Orlando City.
"I feel bad for our guys," Poland said. "They fought to earn the goal. And for that goal not to be counted is obviously very disappointing. I thought we were playing well enough, and we scored the goal. For it not to count, it's very sad for the guys. I'm heartbroken for them, but I'm so proud of them, and the way they fought, the way they competed, and the way this community came out and supported was incredible. Heartbroken for the results, but so thankful to be able to represent this city."
Early on, FC Naples looked as if they were getting acclimated to the style of Orlando City, which started in a 3-4-3 formation. The MLS club looked like the better team for much of the first half, ultimately breaking through in the 18th minute.
Tyrese Spicer wrapped behind Justin Ellis, who picked up multiple FC Naples defenders and left Spicer, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft with a free look from 25 yards out. His laser beam went past goalkeeper Edward Delgado to take a 1-0 lead early. It marked the first goal conceded by FC Naples in over 300 minutes of game action.
"I saw the back of the net and was like, let me have a go at the goal," Spicer said. "It went in. I was grateful for that. Being back on the field playing again, my confidence is up. Being out with a groin injury for so long, having a few training sessions under my belt, and playing 70 minutes is a pretty good day. We got the victory."
FC Naples could've trailed by more entering halftime had Yutaro Tsukada's pass to Ellis on a cross not been too far out ahead, as the forward was right in front of the goal with precision timing.
The Lions had a chance to take another 2-0 lead in the 48th minute, with a deflected shot that grazed the outer half of the left post. A mere 15 minutes later, the tide changed quickly, rather fast.
FC Naples started to find holes in the Orlando City defense, peppering goalkeeper Javier Otero from every which way. A stretch of five corners in five minutes resulted in no goals for the home side, including the aforementioned no-call.
Despite being shut out, the ability to generate those looks provided a promising sight from midfielder Kevin O'Connor's perspective, especially as they head into league play from here on out.
"It breeds confidence," O'Connor said. "We know how good we are. We know good we can be. I think offensively, defensively, I think we've done right tonight, and that little bit of luck just didn't break our way. We have to be able to take this into league form. The league is now our bread and butter, and we have to be pushing to try and be one of the best teams in that.
"We have to take every bit of confidence from this because that's as good a performance against an MLS team as you'll see. We've got got another tough game now in four days, we travel to Portland. It's the next game, the next game's up."
For Poland and his squad, they'll be wondering what should've been, as the chance to host the MLS' New England Revolution in the Round of 16 is now dashed.
"They completed for 90 minutes against an MLS side, and should have been tied 1-1 after that 98th minute," Poland said. "As a team, hopefully we take this with confidence to move forward in league play."
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: [email protected]. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: MLS Orlando City escapes against USL FC Naples 1-0 in U.S. Open Cup
Continue reading...
Poland knew his team should've been playing in extra time. A vast majority of the sell-out 4,782 in attendance, clad in FC Naples gear, knew it too.
Wednesday, April 15, marked the first time an MLS team had come to Naples to play at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, but that moment was largely overshadowed by a missed call in the 71st minute that ultimately prevented FC Naples, which plays in USL League One, the U.S.'s third division of professional soccer, from securing a landmark win in just their second year in existence.
Off a corner kick, Dominick Bachstein found an opening on the back side of the Orlando City defense, and got enough on it to push it past the goal line in full. A sliding save from defender Nolan Miller came afterwards, clearing the ball out after Bachstein and other FC Naples players converged to celebrate the goal.
FC Naples was denied extra time despite a flurry of opportunities late, falling 1-0 to Orlando City.
"I feel bad for our guys," Poland said. "They fought to earn the goal. And for that goal not to be counted is obviously very disappointing. I thought we were playing well enough, and we scored the goal. For it not to count, it's very sad for the guys. I'm heartbroken for them, but I'm so proud of them, and the way they fought, the way they competed, and the way this community came out and supported was incredible. Heartbroken for the results, but so thankful to be able to represent this city."
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Early on, FC Naples looked as if they were getting acclimated to the style of Orlando City, which started in a 3-4-3 formation. The MLS club looked like the better team for much of the first half, ultimately breaking through in the 18th minute.
Tyrese Spicer wrapped behind Justin Ellis, who picked up multiple FC Naples defenders and left Spicer, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft with a free look from 25 yards out. His laser beam went past goalkeeper Edward Delgado to take a 1-0 lead early. It marked the first goal conceded by FC Naples in over 300 minutes of game action.
"I saw the back of the net and was like, let me have a go at the goal," Spicer said. "It went in. I was grateful for that. Being back on the field playing again, my confidence is up. Being out with a groin injury for so long, having a few training sessions under my belt, and playing 70 minutes is a pretty good day. We got the victory."
You must be registered for see images
FC Naples could've trailed by more entering halftime had Yutaro Tsukada's pass to Ellis on a cross not been too far out ahead, as the forward was right in front of the goal with precision timing.
The Lions had a chance to take another 2-0 lead in the 48th minute, with a deflected shot that grazed the outer half of the left post. A mere 15 minutes later, the tide changed quickly, rather fast.
FC Naples started to find holes in the Orlando City defense, peppering goalkeeper Javier Otero from every which way. A stretch of five corners in five minutes resulted in no goals for the home side, including the aforementioned no-call.
You must be registered for see images
Despite being shut out, the ability to generate those looks provided a promising sight from midfielder Kevin O'Connor's perspective, especially as they head into league play from here on out.
"It breeds confidence," O'Connor said. "We know how good we are. We know good we can be. I think offensively, defensively, I think we've done right tonight, and that little bit of luck just didn't break our way. We have to be able to take this into league form. The league is now our bread and butter, and we have to be pushing to try and be one of the best teams in that.
"We have to take every bit of confidence from this because that's as good a performance against an MLS team as you'll see. We've got got another tough game now in four days, we travel to Portland. It's the next game, the next game's up."
You must be registered for see images
For Poland and his squad, they'll be wondering what should've been, as the chance to host the MLS' New England Revolution in the Round of 16 is now dashed.
"They completed for 90 minutes against an MLS side, and should have been tied 1-1 after that 98th minute," Poland said. "As a team, hopefully we take this with confidence to move forward in league play."
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: [email protected]. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: MLS Orlando City escapes against USL FC Naples 1-0 in U.S. Open Cup
Continue reading...
