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
onlyoneshearer
Jul 24, 2011 at 5:15 AM
Comment #41I am a newcastle fan who has lived in orlando for the past year, I watched Orlando city play their first ever game in April. The standard was so poor that I feel I wouldn’t have been out of place, i know its only a friendly but a really embarrassing defeat to a team in the third tier in usa
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jul 24, 2011 at 5:49 AM
Comment #42Read all the comments on here! And it really pisses me off that we lost, but am not going to panic!
This is a Pre- Match friendly we are commenting on here!
Actually not too fussed myself about losing it, even to a little known Stateside team.
Has anyone actually paid a fortune to go and watch them live across there, of course there will be a few but i don,t think there will be many, maybe they will be justified to be annoyed. A lot of the fans there will be combining the trip with holidays and if they are real fans then they will take positives out of a 1-0 loss.
As for the team and manger, well this loss may shock Ashley and the club into splashig out on the one or two players we need to strengthen and build. As for some of the doom merchants on here lets see where we are half-way through the season and not throw the towel in before its actually started.
The reserves had a good win yesterday in Utrecht and were 2-0 down 30 minutes before the end!
All the piss-poor reactions on here to a 1-0 loss in a pre-match friendly actually disappoint me more than the loss itself!!!
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jul 24, 2011 at 5:52 AM
Comment #43My compliments Mad about the Toon:
A Positve comment among all the sh……e drivel on here!
signature
Jul 24, 2011 at 6:31 AM
Comment #44I live in the USA. Watched the horrible game. But one positive… got 11 signatures of players plus the gaffer. Overall, I’m happy with the result.
i Toon
Jul 24, 2011 at 6:58 AM
Comment #45Manchester United are beating better teams who are half way in there season also 7 – 0 and 3-0 but yet people on here are using the fact the team is half way in the season as an excuse for the lost there where piss poor. In better news i read the Mevlut Erdinc deal could still be on lord knows we need another forward.
OneAlanShearer
Jul 24, 2011 at 7:56 AM
Comment #46i Toon – Pre-season results mean nothing, everton won all there’s convincingly last summer then went on a horrendous run until christmas. Plus We are without Cabaye, Barton and Williamson, who all may be in our starting XI in August. Plus players like ben Arfa, Ferguson are out injured now. Plus I bet we didn’t want to risk injuries on the artificle pitch. Barton and Cabaye will bring an awful lot to the side this season.
OneAlanShearer
Jul 24, 2011 at 7:57 AM
Comment #47Agree on Erding.
OneAlanShearer
Jul 24, 2011 at 7:59 AM
Comment #48With Smith in midfield and ryan taylor at right back i am surprised we didn’t lose by a lot more. Our first XI will be strong but this should show we only have a small amount of worthy cover. Good news on the youngsters showing potential.
PortsladeToon
Jul 24, 2011 at 8:04 AM
Comment #49Ed i usually respect your comments but Fraser Forester had a good game?? what game was you watching, he was lame and no movement and looked completey lost at times, he didn’t even look bothered when he took a goal kick.
poor game all over but he was terrable
fungus44
Jul 24, 2011 at 8:25 AM
Comment #50people go on about losing to a third division USA team so what is pre season last year man u lost a few games in pre season but there fans don’t moan like some on hear they all understand it,s all about fitness not results like some dingbats on here
pie man
Jul 24, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Comment #51Hope this makes pardew and fatso realise the importance of having players like Nolan and barton in your team instead of thinking £££££££’s!!
Paul P
Jul 24, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Comment #52I think that just highlights the fact that we need some strikers and also a bit more creativity/skill than we have and also we need a right back. 2 games/ no goals not good like. Tavenier is one who might break through next season. Howay fat cash, get some money invested in our team.
gorgonzola
Jul 24, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Comment #531:0 down to a pathetic third league side in the US….omfg
Marty-Toon
Jul 24, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #54Question?Did Smudger play anyway good?We usually lose when he plays but it was level when he left the field.
That some of you say it’s not so important to win or how we play,you are wrong.it affects the teams confidence losing and not scoring just as much as it does when we get confidence from scoring and winning a game.They are a rubbish team in a terrible 3rd division and we got beaten.
Of course Joey and cabaye were missing along with Hba but that is the same a during the season with injuries.
Hope the fitness levels are getting better and that we will be able to see what we really have when Fiorentina come to us.That will be the eye opener.
ONLINE GUY
Jul 24, 2011 at 3:26 PM
Comment #55Our midfield is fine , really missed Barton last night though.
If we sell Barton we will…. be relegated.
Defence ? If we keep Enrique ..It’s just above average, ..loose him and we need a top left back..or the prognosis on the defence will be… below average.
The forward line ? hahahahaah ..Absolute Shite.
Loven ,Shola. Best. ? .Not good enough.
Ba ? Na, not for me.
Sturridge, Berbatov, or Best and Shola ?
Shola, Best, Lovenkrands, Ba.
Man U , City, L’pool, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea will be shi**ing themselves facing that strike force.HAHA!
Shame on you Ashley..
Before any blind men have a pop at me please note that ALL of the above is TRUE.