AS Frenzi 2-3 Club de Lyon: Entertaining Central Florida derby ends with CDL advancing to USOC 2nd Round vs ten man ASF
I pity the local Orlando City fans who aren’t watching the U.S. Open Cup
Orlando City SC is one of the eleven MLS clubs not represented in this year’s US Open Cup. The club is also apparently is denying Austin supporters the right to bring in a banner protesting MLS is lockout of the referees. All of this is a far cry from the plucky supporter-driven locally-focused club that used the US Open Cup as a springboard to eventually enter MLS.
But like any big city with an MLS club, there are other high-level soccer options locally. Two of those other clubs, UPSL National Champions AS Frenzi and NISA professional side Club de Lyon met on Wednesday night in Daytona Beach.
The match was a classic and was won by the professional side, Club De Lyon at the death in second half stoppage time. AS Frenzi played the last 40 minutes or so with ten men due to the sending off of Justin Dorman. The final score was 3-2.
Neither side had much continuity in its rosters from the teams that qualified for the Open Cup or played last season. In fact the AS Frenzi roster was littered with young Central Florida all-stars. This is the reality for the clubs that qualify from the “Open Division” for this competition - usually they have such high roster turnover that they need to construct a new squad specially for this competition.
Club de Lyon made a huge splash recently with the signing of “Burrito” Martínez, a former Argentine National Team star and FIFA World Club Cup Champion with Corinthians. Martínez scored twice for CDL tonight and hit the woodwork two other times. His goal in second half stoppage time against a ten-man Frenzi decided the contest.
Here are some other takeaways.
AS Frenzi tried to play a fluid passing game early but Club De Lyon were both more physical and kept a better shape. The number of bad giveaway from AS Frenzi early was alarming.
Much like yesterday’s match between Brave SC and Savannah Clovers of NISA, fitness was a bit of an issue because neither side is in midseason form. I must remind our readers this move of the First Round of the US Open Cup to mid-March was done to accommodate MLS and the Leagues Cup. It is FAR from ideal for these lower division sides, whose seasons either have not started or just began. However, it is what it is, and everybody has to deal with it I suppose. But it is a rich irony given MLS’ attitude toward this competition that the calendar has been built around what is ideal for them and not for anyone else.
After spotting CDL a two goal lead, Frenzi seemed to revert to a more counter-attacking posture, giving up possession more easily but staying compact defensively. During this stanza of the match from about minute 30 to the sending off of Dorman in minute 54, Frenzi was dangerous on the counter-attack and the first goal, from Kevin Miranda was an especially well-worked move against the general run of play.
The second Frenzi goal, scored by Jean Forestal after a lovely cross by Alexander Dollard came right after halftime when CDL had switched off for a moment defensively. But in rapid succession, Dorman picked up two yellows after just as his club had gained the upper hand both from a momentum standpoint and seemingly a fitness one also. Quite frankly Dorman’s second foul could have been a straight red, so for someone carrying a yellow to commit such a reckless act was silly.
After the sending off, the match settled into a pattern where Club de Lyon had outstanding chances were compact and also able to draw several fouls which not only gave them free kicks but importantly a moment or two for breathers.
Agustin Ortiz and Matias Cruz also stood out for me as a strong players for Club de Lyon - two to watch in the coming NISA campaign and in future US Open Cup rounds.
Tristan Strubbe who was recently in Orlando City’s Academy was for me the best player for AS Frenzi. A real standout who I reckon will land a pro contract somewhere. He’s still I believe only 17 or 18. Alex Dollard another extremely young player stood out for me from AS Frenzi. Dorman, who was sent off is a player I have watched a fair amount of from his NPSL days. He also was playing well before he got quite rash.
There was a lot to like from both teams today. It’s a shame one had to lose. Club de Lyon moves on and might face Miami United in the next round - and that would be a tasty matchup of Argentine superstars if it were to occur.
Speaking of "Burrito" and other tasty foods, I hope BT90 also mentions "El Farolito", the club that was spun out of the Taco chain from SFO ! Last night in other US Open Cup action, the taco side beat the Portland Timbers 2 / MLS Next Pro, and in Portland, no less!!