Tobias pure gold as SeaWolves win their debut
KISSIMMEE — Playing in their first game, the Orlando SeaWolves defeated the Brazilian National Minifootball team after Raphael Tobias’ golden goal in overtime secured a 3-2 victory Saturday at the Silver Spurs Arena.
“I’ve been in apprehensive about this game since I was named,” said SeaWolves head coach Tom Traxler. “So, yeah, it’s a learning curve. … it’s a lot different. The patterns that need to be run, the work off the boards. Sometimes the hardest thing is going forward. I thought defensively, I felt that the goals they got we have them. We have to be better when we’re changing.”
Brazil scored the opening goal at 7:51 of the first quarter when forward Elmo Neto brushed up a dead ball from close range to give the visitors the 1-0 lead.
The SeaWolves tied the game before the halftime mark when Gordy Gurson also struck from close range in the final minute of the second quarter.
Gurson’s goal was the first for the SeaWolves.
Brazil re-took the lead in the first minute of the third quarter when Amauri capitalized in a defensive error, tapping in the ball into an empty net for the 2-1 lead.
The SeaWolves, however, equalized the game when Luiz Mota struck a volley from close 4:55 into the third quarter.
“It was a very big test for us,” Gurson told reporters after the game.
“All veterans league that we’re in the playing Luiz Mota’s goal in the third quarter tied against that play for Brazil. We went down 1-0, knowing it’s a mental game.
“We stuck it out, went down and tied the game and it went into overtime and we took it from there.”
The International Challenge saw an earlier game played when Colombia defeated the U-21 Brazilian national Minifootball team 6-5.
There were several Orlando City SC figures in attendance, including head coach James O’Connor, who participated in the first kick before the match started.
“Orlando City cofounder Kay Rawlins also attended the game as well as players Victor PC Giro and Pierre Da Silva.
“We knew we were going to be the team to score the [golden] goal,” said Traxler. “Our fitness was better. We felt we had a chance to outrun them in the overtime period, so I’m glad we were able to make the most out of it.”
The SeaWolves kick off their first year in MASL on Nov. 30 when they host the St. Louis Ambush at the Silver Spurs Arena at 7:35 p.m.