Success has followed the Orlando City Pro Academy into the New Year.

City’s U-17/18 kicked of 2017 with a 5-0 victory over Kendall SC on Jan. 28. Raul Aguilera scored twice and Landen Haig, Jack McCloskey and David Norris all found the back of the net.

The U-17/18s dropped a 2-0 decision to Capital Area Railhawks on Feb. 4 but rebounded nicely the next day with a 4-2 win over North Carolina Fusion. Raul Aguilera scored his 6th of the season and Haig, Juan Jose Hernandez and David Loera also tallied.

Then on Feb. 11, City’s U-17/18s played a 2-2 draw to IMG Academy. IMG went up 1-0 in the 7th minute before Haig equalized in the 49th. IMG scored again in the 60th minute but Isaque Cuoto tallied in the 90th minute to secure a point.

It was a great result considering the Lions were without David Loera and David Norris, who were with the First Team. Loera earned an assist in the First Team’s preseason friendly against Montverde.

“Really positive stuff from the boys the last couple of weeks,” Academy Director and U-17/18 head coach David Longwell said. “Very pleased with the way they’re developing and how they came back from the break. Looking forward to the home stretch of the season.”

The U-15/16 Pro Academy squad has also enjoyed success in 2017. City topped Kendall SC 4-1 and followed it up the next week with a 2-1 win over Capital Area Railhawks on Feb. 4. NC Fusion took a 2-0 win the next day.

The U-14 Pro Academy team made it a sweep over Kendall with a 3-1 win. The U-14s fell 2-1 to Armada FC but came back with a strong 2-1 win over IMG the next week.

“Pleased to see good football being played by our boys,” Longwell said. “Definitely more positive than negative.”

Bender Called Up

Orlando City U-15/16 midfielder Jordan Bender was called up to the U.S. U-15 national team for its trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The U.S. played games against local clubs Argentinos Juniors, San Lorenzo de Almagro and Racing Club de Avellaneda.