As it turns out, not even South American competition can keep Dom Dwyer from finding the back of the net.
The USL PRO's leading scorer added a nice feather to his cap this past Saturday when he scored Orlando City SC's opening goal in a friendly with Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense. The Sporting KC loanee created his own chance and scored a nifty goal in the 19th minute in front of more than 11,000 at the Citrus Bowl.
Orlando City ended up losing the game 4-3, but Dwyer kept impressing. Fellow Sporting KC loanee Yann Songo'o went the full 90 in defense for the Lions, and goalkeeper Jon Kempin was a second-half subtitute for the Lions, who were off in league play.
READ: Orlando City learn possible Open Cup semifinal opponents if they beat Chicago
Back in USL PRO action, the second-place Harrisburg City Islanders failed to close the gap on Orlando. On Friday, four Philadelphia Union players saw time as Harrisburg fell to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a 4-3 barnburner in which the Union quartet shined.
Jimmy McLaughlin started and scored the City Islanders’ second goal with a cheeky one-on-one chip over the goalkeeper after breaking through the defense. But things fell apart as Harrisburg surrendered four unanswered goals, the first coming off a mistake by Aaron Wheeler.
The Union forward found himself in his own box and was whistled for an apparent shove against the attacking Riverhounds. The referee pointed to the spot, where Pittsburgh collected the first of four goals. Wheeler atoned for his mistake in the second half with an assist in extra time, but Harrisburg were unable to rally. The City Islanders remain in second, four points behind Orlando City.
While much of their MLS contingent was helping D.C. United to their first league win in 13 games on Saturday, the Richmond Kickers managed a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS Reserve League action. Andrew Dykstra started and went the full ninety along with Houston Dynamo forward Bryan Ownby, who picked up an assist. Ownby’s assist came on a brilliant centering pass and was buried by former D.C. man Joseph Ngwenya. Michael Seaton also saw time with a solid 88-minute outing.
COMPLETE MLS RESERVE LEAGUE SCHEDULE
Also on Friday, the Rochester Rhinos grabbed their third win of the season with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Antigua Barracuda. New England Revolution defender Bilal Duckett lead the Rhinos backline for 63 minutes, but was suspect on Antigua’s 57th-minute goal and was replaced soon after. Fellow Revs loanee Gabe Latigue made a cameo appearance in midfield in the final minute of play.
In NASL action, Seattle Sounders forward Eriq Zavaleta started and put in a 75-minute shift for the San Antonio Scorpions as they climbed the charts with a 2-1 win over FC Edmonton.
USL PRO:
Harrisburg City Islanders 3, Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4, Friday, June 21
M Jimmy McLaughlin (Philadelphia) - Started, played 66 minutes, one goal
M Greg Jordan (Philadelphia) - Did not play
F Cristhian Hernandez (Philadelphia) - Substitute, played 11 minutes
M Don Anding (Philadelphia) - Substitute, played 31 minutes
M Leo Fernandes (Philadelphia) - Did not play
F Aaron Wheeler (Philadelphia) - Started, played 90 minutes, one assist
Rochester Rhinos 2, Antigua Barracuda 1, Friday, June 21
D Bilal Duckett (New England) - Started, played 63 minutes
F Matt Horth (New England) - Did not play
M Gabe Latigue (New England) - Substitute, played 1 minute
D Tyler Polak (New England) - Did not play
Charleston Battery 0, VSI Tampa Bay 0, Saturday, June 22
M Bryce Alderson (Vancouver) - Started, played 60 minutes
LA Blues 0, Dayton Dutch Lions 0, Sunday, June 23
F Aaron Horton (Columbus) - Started, played 45 minutes
MLS Reserve League:
Richmond Kickers 1, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1, Saturday, June 22
M Taylor Kemp (D.C. United) - Did not play
F Michael Seaton (D.C. United) - Started, played 88 minutes
M Conor Shanosky (D.C. United) - Did not play
F Casey Townsend (D.C. United) - Did not play
F Brian Ownby (Houston) - Started, played 90 minutes, one assist
GK Andrew Dykstra (D.C. United) - Started, played 90 minutes
Friendly:
Orlando City SC 3, Fluminense 4, Saturday, June 22
F Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 61 minutes, one goal
D Yann Songo'o (Sporting Kansas City) - Started, played 90 minutes
GK Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City) - Substitute, played 29 minutes
NASL:
Atlanta Silverbacks 1, Tampa Bay Rowdies 2, Saturday June 22
F Kellen Gulley (Chicago) - Did not play
San Antonio Scorpions 2, FC Edmonton 1, Saturday June 22
F Eriq Zavaleta (Seattle) - Started, played 75 minutes
