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10-Man Saint Louis Too Good for Orlando

By CHRIS HOCKMAN – chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, 09/16/17, 10:15PM EDT

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Howe and Volesky goals push STLFC back into playoff contention


Photo Courtesy Mark Guthrel/Saint Louis FC

FENTON, Mo. – Despite being reduced to 10 men, Saint Louis FC managed to hold on for a vital 2-0 victory against Orlando City B at Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis on Saturday night. After threatening in the early stages, Saint Louis hit the lead in the 10th minute as Ryan Howe was afforded much too space just outside the box, allowing him to hit a powerful shot out of the reach of OCB goalkeeper Jake Fenlason. After going down to 10 men when Austin Ledbetter was dismissed in the 54th minute for his second yellow card, Mats Bjurman earned a penalty for Saint Louis, which Christian Volesky dispatched to double the host's lead. OCB's Jordan Schweitzer had very nearly equalized on the half hour-mark as he shot powerfully from the edge of the area, easily beating Saint Louis goalkeeper Devala Gorrick but bouncing down off the crossbar and out. Despite Orlando's late efforts to get back into the game, though, Saint Louis held on for a win that moved the side back into the playoff race in the USL Eastern Conference.

Scoring:
10’ – STL – Ryan Howe
62’ – STL – Christian Volesky (Penalty)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Saint Louis had been on a four-game winless streak going into Saturday's match, seeing them drop well outside of the USL Cup Playoffs picture. While the win doesn’t assure Saint Louis of anything, it does close the gap, and keeps their hopes alive.

  • 2. Following a first loss in 12 matches, Orlando City B fell to a second straight defeat for just the second time this season. With both losses coming against teams below OCB in the USL Eastern Conference standings, Orlando has been thrown in to the fight for the playoffs, now only one point clear of dropping out of the top eight.

  • 3. Saint Louis FC finally broke through for a vital win as they close in on a place in the Playoffs. Saint Louis would not have felt safe until the final whistle, as three times on that winless run Saint Louis had been unable to hold a lead, but this time the side held on for the win, justifying Saint Louis Head Coach Preki's decision to make seven changes.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Mats Bjurman, Saint Louis FC – Earning the penalty for Saint Louis was a crucial moment for Saint Louis’ season, executed by Bjurman, who distributed the ball constantly throughout the match, and was nearly flawless, managing a 91.3 percent passing accuracy rate.

Saint Louis FC  vs. FC Cincinnati – September 23, 8:30p.m. ET, Toyota Stadium, St. Louis
Orlando City B vs. Charleston Battery – September 23, 7:30p.m. ET, Orlando City Stadium

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