Lions help out Chanticleers

As the impact of Category 1 Hurricane Florence forces sports teams along the East coast to reschedule or cancel games and practices, Orlando City is lending a helping hand to a collegiate soccer program.

The Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina University have been training at Sylvan Lake Park, where the Lions practice. The men’s soccer team evacuated Myrtle Beach in South Carolina Wednesday morning and was training at Sylvan by Wednesday night.

Coastal Carolina is the No. 21 ranked Division I men’s soccer program in the nation.

“Obviously, with Hurricane Florence touching down, we had to get out as soon as possible,” said associate head coach Kyle Russell. “Orlando City was a professional team that we knew would allow us to use their facilities. They’ve been fantastic.

“We been able to escape the storm, come to Florida. They’ve allowed us to train here the last couple of days and they’ve also invited us to watch their training so we can show the boys, hopefully, what their future could look like one day.”

Orlando City has a few links with Coastal Carolina. Chanticleers head coach Shaun Docking has been friends with Orlando City GM Niki Budalic for nearly 20 years.

“I thought maybe Orlando would be a good spot to come,” Docking said. “I called Niki and I said, ‘Is there any possibility for us to train and get here?’ He was like, ‘Yeah. That’d be great. Would love to do it.’ He set this up. I do know [Orlando City coach] James [O’Connor] as well. [Director of equipment operations] Charles Raycroft is another guy I know with the squad.

“It’s just nice, seeing everybody and reconnecting with people.”

Others links are subtle. Coastal Carolina has a few players from Tyler Junior College, where star striker Dom Dwyer won two junior-college national titles and was the national junior-college player of the year.

“Our coach was always talking about [Dwyer] because he was a very ambitious guy,” said junior defender Paul Odendahl, who also won two juniorcollege national championships at Tyler Junior College. “Always working hard and that’s what Tyler Junior College stands for, as well. He’s a great player.

“It’s nice to see how the first team practices. I think you can learn a lot from the pros, how they play. The intensity of the practice and it’s a great honor for us to play on the field, to have the chance to practice here.”

For now, the group staying in Orange City.

“It’s fantastic,” Docking said. “I think, for our guys to see the next level — this is the level they aspire to be at. They’re excited to come out and watch training. Watch guys that are playing in their position. Watch the intensity of the training. You know, James is an excellent coach. He’s one of the best coaches in the country.

“For us to learn from James, too, is a fantastic opportunity. We’re extremely grateful to be here and so happy and thankful to Niki for setting this up for us.” is