In what can only be described as a rather lack luster performance from the Newcastle side, the lads were beaten 1-0 by third tier American side Orlando City tonight.
And Orlando deserved the victory and it was not a particularly inspiring performance from the Newcastle side.
These were the starting line-ups for the game tonight:
Orlando City (4-4-2)- Miguel Gallardo, Jerome Mechalk, Kieron Bernard, Rob Valentino, Jack Traynor. Jamie Watson, Yordany Alarez, Luke Bode, Lewis Neal. Max Griffin, Matt Luzunaris.
Subs- Sean Kelley, Wes Allen, Adama Mbengue, Justin Fojo, Kevin Molino, Charlie Campbell, Ian Fuller, Dennis Chin, Devorn Jorsling.
Newcastle United (4-4-2)- Fraser Forster, Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, James Tavernier. Dan Gosling, Alan Smith, Cheik Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez. Peter Lovenkrands, Leon Best.
Subs:Steve Harper, Tim Krul, Jose Enrique, Mehdi Abeid, Demba Ba, Shola Ameobi.
The game got under way and Newcastle seemed to have trouble keeping possession, as the ball on the artificial turf seemed to have a lot more bounce than usual.
The game was fairly even in the first 20 minutes or so, with Orlando City giving as good as they were getting from the Newcastle side.
On 25 minutes Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was forced to make a change as Ryan Taylor was replaced by Jose Enrique. It looked like Taylor took a knock and presumably was removed for safety-first reasons – surely not another injury?
It was rather a listless game for the first 30 minutes or so, but then the game came to life in the last 10 minutes of the first half, and after 40 minutes Jonas put in a good cross that Steven Taylor headed on nicely, and it was Peter Lovenkrands who had a decent chance, but goalkeeper Gallardo made a good save.
And shortly after that it seemed as Gosling should have had a penalty on 42 minutes.
The former Everton midfielder broke into the penalty area in style, from the outside left position, and he seemed to be pulled down by an Orlando defender, but the referee waved play on.
It was funny when we heard an excited announcer announce “play on” – yeah right – that looked like a penalty.
Newcastle’s best chance in the half had fallen to Peter Lovenkrands but the first half was hardly a vintage game for the fans at the Citrus Bowl, and it was 0-0 at the interval.
There were no changes made at the interval for Newcastle and before the half could start some streamers had to be removed from Forster’s penalty area.
Enrique started to show his class on the left wing as he made several good moves and he looked fit enough after his hamstring scare.
On 56 minutes a good cross from Jonas was not collected cleanly by Gallardo, and he had to boot the ball away in panic mode, but then he took a Dan Gosling cross with style as he held onto the ball.
And as in Kansas, Coloccini was giving a master class on how to play center back with coolness and aplomb, and the Newcastle captain hardly has put a foot wrong tonight, as he cut out the Orlando attacks with ease.
Newcastle were attacking a lot more in the second half, as they tried to make a break-through against the third tier American side.
There was an announcement that 10,889 was the attendance and that’s the highest crowd at the Citrus Bowl this season
After 63 minutes Max Griffin missed a wonderful opportunity to put Orlando ahead, and from just ten yards out, but he shot straight at Forster, who parried the ball well.
On 65 minutes Lewis Neal had another great opportunity to put Orlando ahead but he missed the chance as the ball whizzed by Forster’s right hand post.
Haris Vuckic was brought on after 70 minutes even though he wasn’t listed as a sub – so at least he’s fit again.
It was Orlando at this point in the game that were attacking Newcastle and looking for a goal.
After 73 minutes 18 year-old Mehdi Abeid came on to replace Peter Lovenkrands, and Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi come on to replace Leon Best and Alan Smith, as manager Alan Pardew tried to stop the constant attacking of the Orlando side in the second half.
And would you believe it, on 75 minutes Orlando took the lead, and they deserved to go ahead too.
Dennis Chin was clear and then squared the ball to Molino, after avoiding a tackle from Coloccini, and Molino then easily hit the ball home from just 11 yards out, and the home crowd went wild.
Then on 82 minutes it looked like Newcastle equalized as James Tavernier played the ball across goal to Vuckic who hit the ball home nicely from a narrow angle, but the assistant’s flag was up – and it was disallowed, but what for we’re not too sure.
Two minutes later Forster kept Newcastle in the game with an outstanding save, when the 6’7″ goalkeeper got his left hand to a deflected shot from Molino – a terrific reaction save from the 23 year-old.
But Newcastle couldn’t get on level terms, and rather surprisingly Orlando City deserved their 1-0 win tonight.
Fraser Forster had a good game in the Newcastle goal, and Coloccini again looked good in central defense, as did Jose Enrique, who made some good runs down the left wing.
55 comments so far
BASSKING-FUSE
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:31 AM
Comment #1… I stayed up for that?
davybtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:34 AM
Comment #2we may hav lost but a few positives vukic n abeid n tav were really good, i think forster looking no1 material some f those saves in secnd half were awsome
Andy
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:34 AM
Comment #3Pre-season the aim of the game is fitness. Another 90 minutes under the belt for the lads. Almost came through unscathed. Anyone know what’s up with Raylor? If we play like we did today v fiorentina i’ll be a little worried but wait till we play some proper football lads. Positive i thought tav and gosling were decent. As was abeid when he came on
~Cheik Mate~
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:34 AM
Comment #4Best part of the match for me was, Watching the 3 lasses attempt to dance. Was good Entertainment. Especially with no sound 😛
~Cheik Mate~
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:35 AM
Comment #5I prefer Krul over Forster. Krul doesnt injure potential stars in the making.
davybtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:36 AM
Comment #6the pitch n heat makes a huge difference n they were a decent little side who is half way through there season
~Cheik Mate~
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:36 AM
Comment #7Aye, Abeid looks like a Real Gem in my opinion. Hoping its not due to average teams making him look class. Cant wait to see how he does against an EPL team!
BASSKING-FUSE
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:37 AM
Comment #8No, not to say im pissed off with the performance, I just feel bad for those fans that travelled 1000’s of miles and the team doesn’t try, plus my sleep schedule.
davybtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:37 AM
Comment #9forster made 2 superb saves n the goal werent his fault from what i seen
~Cheik Mate~
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:38 AM
Comment #10Well before the Invasion on the blog starts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY
🙂
Andy
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:38 AM
Comment #11I still prefer Krul after watching FF most of last season
ginkoh
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:39 AM
Comment #12Tavenier look mint and IMO I don’t think Vuckic goal was offside.
davybtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:39 AM
Comment #13agree abeid does look real good
davybtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:40 AM
Comment #14i didnt think vukics goal was offside either
boater
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:40 AM
Comment #15best is not a starter for next season – a squad guy.. we need another bloody striker… damn it… AND we need a goal scoring midfielder..
We are going to be sweating over injuries all season long.. and yees know it.
~Cheik Mate~
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:40 AM
Comment #16He might have made two good saves, but ive got more confidence in Krul… Just my opinion though…. but Forster has only really been tested in 2 games this pre season that on paper should be below Newcastle in quality, and in SPL with 1-3 good teams?
Krul on the other hand has shown class in the EPL, and for the Dutch squad.
Robin
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:41 AM
Comment #17i stayed up for a funny joke, worth it!
rofl
Andy
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:42 AM
Comment #18We shoulda had a pen and vuckic’s goal was never offside. That being said we were poor in possession and if alan smith plays more than 5 league games this year i will probably have a heart attack
davybtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:42 AM
Comment #19ill bet anyone we finish top 10 n above the scum
~Cheik Mate~
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:42 AM
Comment #20Barton is 3 for 3, top scorer so far and a Midfielder 😛
Burni
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:42 AM
Comment #21Wow wow wow wow just wow! As someone said before, pre season is about fitness, any of use think they would be playing the way they would be in the epl? Howay man, drink a cup of happy juice u boring bastards!
jackdnufc
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:42 AM
Comment #22Toon XI-
My mistake they’re in on of the two conferences in the level below MLS. They are by far their best side though. I know their owners are very keen to get them into the MLS at some point but teams don’t get promoted into the MLS like they do everywhere else.
Robin
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:42 AM
Comment #23@andy
he is the next nicky butt
Toon1978
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:42 AM
Comment #24A little concerned that we could not muster half a dozen shots against a club that would be playing in league 1 in this country. To counteract that, the conditions where against us in all departments, from the weather to the pitch they played on.
~Cheik Mate~
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:44 AM
Comment #25Right im off. Chicken Masala IM COMING!
jackdnufc
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:44 AM
Comment #26The weather definitely doesn’t help either. It’s unbelievably hot and humid out there.
Bring on Columbus!
HWTL!
Andy
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:45 AM
Comment #27@Robin haha! It was that attempted cross field ball in the first half i just sat there shaking my head saying what are you doing smith! We’ll do well to get rid of him
Robin
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:49 AM
Comment #28@andy
u know what i got my smith 17 jersey since he joined us, i just dont wear it after he played around 5 games for our club
Pwnanza
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:50 AM
Comment #29To be fair to the lads, they were playing Barcelona, and they couldn’t get close to them..
I am happy about seeing Tarvenier? for the first time, along with Abeid, Vuckic and Gosling. they impressed me and showed what they were about.
1. Tarvenier with his forward runs.
2. Gosling for his determination to get the ball, he put in a few tasty tackles tonight/this morning (whatever way you look at it).
3. Abeid for his confidence on the ball and trickery.
4. Vuckic, he looks a tidy passer and knows where the goal is, his ‘offside goal’ was a pretty tight angle.
I have seen the most super duper best players EVER like SPOONEY, BERB@T0SS, RONALDO miss from pretty much under the crossbar. i have used them because i dont see why they are so beloved by most of the world and sly… i mean sky
davybtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:51 AM
Comment #30dont panic lads liverpool got beat 3-0 off hull it dont mean much
Zangwill_Ho
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:55 AM
Comment #31One word- poor!
Burni
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:57 AM
Comment #32Pwnanza that is the worst post i have EVER seen on here
Birts
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:57 AM
Comment #33anyone got a link for the khan fight
Burni
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:58 AM
Comment #34Apart from ur bullet poimts i guess
Andy
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:59 AM
Comment #35http://tykestv.eu/channel1.php
Khan fight
Birts
Jul 24, 2011 at 3:00 AM
Comment #36cheers andy
MadAboutToon
Jul 24, 2011 at 3:10 AM
Comment #37i only seen the 2nd half and very frustrating game but you kinda half expect it to be when you play lovenkrants up front and 2 DM in the middle, you could see the different when shola, abaid and vuckic came on, and for you’s who give tav the credit, it was shola made the goal and probably your best move of the match. but the big positive’s were we got a few good young player’s in tav, vuckic, abaid and also forster played well 2.
aussiemag
Jul 24, 2011 at 4:08 AM
Comment #38Watched the game in full this morning without sound mind you (annoying) and would have to say we where less than great that’s for sure.
But you have to remember that it was just a friendly which means nothing bar a runout for fitness sakes and also gives Pardew a chance to organise the first team for this coming season.
I wouldn’t look to far into it if i was anyone!
gndtoon
Jul 24, 2011 at 4:30 AM
Comment #39JUST GOT BACK FROM THE GAME !!! i am uploading pics right now . it was COMPLETE shite game. reffering was HORRIBLE but please dont be disolutioned. this was a TERRIBLE seriously absoloute piss poor performance. its pre season so nothing very serious but work needs to be done, and alot of it. barton ben arfa and the keys to Newcastle there’s not a single player that played well down the wing. its a huge concern also i’d say forester is behind harper and krul in terms of ability
josh
Jul 24, 2011 at 4:31 AM
Comment #40Is it not a touch worrying that were putting in piss poor performances and losing to unheard of American teams.