Costa Rica and Paraguay gave the United States the result it needed following a 2-0 loss to open Copa America in Santa Clara, Calif. In the hot Florida sun, neither Costa Rica nor Paraguay seemed able to set a tempo or rhythm in a 0-0 draw at Camping World Stadium, the first of three games to be played in Orlando for the tournament.
The crowd of 14,334 was seeking some shade and probably seeking something to hang onto positive from a game that featured few scoring opportunities and little end-to-end action.
Costa Rica had the best chance of the game, but it was a long-range shot that came very late in the game. They managed six shots, with four on goal. Most of those came late in the game.
Paraguay had the run of play for the most part and the best opportunities. But not much that was serious. It was a relatively uneventful 0-0 draw, not the kind of up-and-back affairs that sometimes occur. Both goalkeepers had to make their saves to preserve the draw.
The game was a bit disappointing in that regard.
The attendance was also only slightly higher than Orlando City’s attendance during the USL PRO days. Even with the humidity and heat on the field — it was 100 degrees at kickoff — the weekend game with an up-and-coming Costa Rica team should have probably gotten a little bit more of a draw.
There have been some concerns and reports of tickets not selling as well as anticipated for the Orlando site. Some of that might be the relatively low profile of the teams coming to Orlando. There were no familiar names on the field Saturday. Monday night’s game between Panama and Bolivia probably will not have that draw either.
It also did not help the attendance perception that many of the tickets sold were in the shade on the west side of the stadium. The cameras point toward the sun-drenched east side. The upper bowl was not sold and the middle section was sparse attendance-wise.
No one in the stadium would probably care though about these concerns. With these international competitions, those who go provide plenty of passion, rain or shine, win, lose or draw.
Three weeks until the NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is just three weeks away and preparations are preparing to step up behind closed doors at the Amway Center.
It is still pretty unclear what the Orlando Magic are going to be looking for at the Draft and what they want. They clearly want to win now, but the Draft at their spot is likely only delivering raw prospects and reserve and role players.
There have not been any reports about who the Magic are interviewing or looking at. Over at Orlando Magic Daily, I surveyed who most of the mock drafts have the Magic taking.
The consensus seems to be on one of the promising young centers in Kentucky’s Skal Labissiere or Michigan State’s Deyonta Davis. They could also look at Domantas Sabonis of Gonzaga and Jakob Poeltl of Utah if they are available.
Florida Collegiate Summer League Baseball is here
Summer is here and so some of the best college players from around the state and the nation are playing wood-bat baseball for the first time in the Florida Collegiate Summer League baseball.
That kicked off Friday with the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs playing the Altamonte Springs Boom at Bishop Moore High School. The Boom took a 1-0 win.
You can see photos from the game courtesy of follower Aldrin Capulong. The league plays through the end of July.
You can find more information about the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs here and the Altamonte Springs Boom here.
