C.J. Sapong is off to a flying start with Orlando City.
The Sporting KC forward (above) went to work in his first week on loan with the USL PRO front-runners, going the distance in each of the Lions' two matches and helping his side pick up four points.
In his debut for Orlando last Thursday at the Citrus Bowl against Charleston, Sapong assisted on the Lions' opener, then drew a penalty kick for the eventual winner deep into the second half for a 2-1 Orlando win. Then on Sunday, the 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year picked up an impressive give-and-go assist just before halftime and then converted a penalty kick that he himself drew in the second half in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Dayton.
Those points proved crucial in Orlando staying atop the table ahead of the Richmond Kickers, who put together the latest result in their league-record 17 match unbeaten run thanks in large part to their MLS loanees.
The latest round of matches for the Kickers saw Michael Seaton of D.C. United play hero as he scored the winner in Richmond’s 1-0 victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday, a day after notching an assist in United’s 1-1 draw with Chivas de Guadalajara in a friendly on Friday. Seaton started and played 79 minutes in Richmond's triumph and he scored in the 77th minute on a fast counterattack.
Two days prior, Harrisburg put up an impressive 4-2 win over the LA Blues. Three Philadelphia players were used by the City Islanders to great effect with Don Anding scoring an impressive first-half goal, assisted by fellow Union teammate Cristhian Hernandez. Jimmy McLaughlin also made an appearance, helping close out the final 18 minutes of the game.
Harrisburg City Islanders 4, LA Blues 2; Wednesday, July 10
M Jimmy McLaughlin, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Substitute, played 18 minutes
M Greg Jordan, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Did not play
F Cristhian Hernandez, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 63 minutes, one assist
M Don Anding, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Started, played 61 minutes, one goal
Orlando City SC 2, Charleston Battery 1; Thursday, July 11
GK Jon Kempin, Orlando (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes
M Christian Duke, Orlando (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes, one assist
F C.J. Sapong, Orlando (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes, one assist
D Kevin Ellis, Orlando (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes
M Bryce Alderson, Charleston (Vancouver Whitecaps) - Substitute, played 18 minutes
Phoenix FC Wolves 1, Antigua Barracuda 0; Thursday, July 11
GK Eduardo Fernandez, Phoenix (Real Salt Lake) - Started, played 90 minutes
Rochester Rhinos 1, Richmond Kickers 1; Friday, July 12
D Bilal Duckett, Rochester (New England Revolution) - Did not play
F Matt Horth, Rochester (New England Revolution) - Started, played 67 minutes
M Gabe Latigue, Rochester (New England Revolution) - Substitute, played 17 minutes, one assist
F Brian Ownby, Richmond (Houston Dynamo) - Started, played 90 minutes
Richmond Kickers 1, Harrisburg City Islanders 0; Saturday, July 13
F Michael Seaton, Richmond (D.C. United) - Started, played 79 minutes, scored one goal
M Conor Shanosky, Richmond (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
F Brian Ownby, Richmond (Houston Dynamo) - Started, played 63 minutes
GK Andrew Dykstra, Richmond (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
M Jimmy McLaughlin, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Substitute, played 9 minutes
M Greg Jordan, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Did not play
F Cristhian Hernandez, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Did not play
M Don Anding, Harrisburg (Philadelphia Union) - Did not play
Charleston Battery 2, VSI Tampa Bay FC 4; Saturday, July 13
M Bryce Alderson (Vancouver Whitecaps) - Started, played 85 minutes
Dayton Dutch Lions 3, Orlando City SC 3; Sunday, July 14
GK Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes
M Christian Duke (Sporting Kansas City)- Did not play
F C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City)- Started, played 90 minutes, one goal, one assist
D Kevin Ellis (Sporting Kansas City) - Did not play
