Stoke City 1-0 Orlando City: Walters goal enough for Potters despite Whelan red
The Republic of Ireland international scored shortly before the break and Tony Pulis' team held on to secure the win despite the dismissal of the striker's international team-mate
By Oliver Platt
Getty Images
Jonathan Walters' first half goal was enough to hand Stoke City a 1-0 victory over Orlando City at the Citrus Bowl in Florida on Saturday evening.
The Republic of Ireland striker volleyed home a Peter Crouch knock-down shortly before the break, before his compatriot Glenn Whelan was sent off in the second period.
The midfielder earned a booking for fouling Rodrigo Lopez before scuffling with former Stoke player James O'Connor.
Tony Pulis was handed two further blows when striker Cameron Jerome and defender Marc Wilson were forced off in the latter stages with injuries.
The Potters took some time to adjust to the artificial turf early on, with Matthew Etherington scuffing a shot and Whelan guilty of coughing up possession only to be bailed out by Ryan Shawcross.
Orlando duo Dennis Chin and Kevin Molino combined to force Thomas Sorensen into his first save before Whelan forced goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo into a good save from a free-kick.
Despite the pressure applied by the hosts, Stoke took the lead at the end of the first frame when Crouch headed Wilson's cross back into the path of Walters, who applied the finish.
Pulis introduced Jerome, Matthew Upson, Dean Whitehead, Michael Tonge, Danny Higginbotham and Kenwyne Jones at the break or shortly thereafter.
After Whelan received two bookings in quick succession Stoke found themselves on the back foot and holding on to their lead.
Erik Ustruck tested Sorensen again and Ryan Shotton and Jamie Ness were forced to return to the fray after the injuries to Jerome and Wilson.
The Danish goalkeeper was then on hand to deny Charlie Campbell and George Davis to secure a narrow win.
The Republic of Ireland striker volleyed home a Peter Crouch knock-down shortly before the break, before his compatriot Glenn Whelan was sent off in the second period.
The midfielder earned a booking for fouling Rodrigo Lopez before scuffling with former Stoke player James O'Connor.
Tony Pulis was handed two further blows when striker Cameron Jerome and defender Marc Wilson were forced off in the latter stages with injuries.
The Potters took some time to adjust to the artificial turf early on, with Matthew Etherington scuffing a shot and Whelan guilty of coughing up possession only to be bailed out by Ryan Shawcross.
Orlando duo Dennis Chin and Kevin Molino combined to force Thomas Sorensen into his first save before Whelan forced goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo into a good save from a free-kick.
Despite the pressure applied by the hosts, Stoke took the lead at the end of the first frame when Crouch headed Wilson's cross back into the path of Walters, who applied the finish.
Pulis introduced Jerome, Matthew Upson, Dean Whitehead, Michael Tonge, Danny Higginbotham and Kenwyne Jones at the break or shortly thereafter.
After Whelan received two bookings in quick succession Stoke found themselves on the back foot and holding on to their lead.
Erik Ustruck tested Sorensen again and Ryan Shotton and Jamie Ness were forced to return to the fray after the injuries to Jerome and Wilson.
The Danish goalkeeper was then on hand to deny Charlie Campbell and George Davis to secure a narrow win.
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