Earthquakes forward Matt Luzunaris had quite the homecoming over the weekend in his return to Florida while on loan with Orlando City.
Luzunaris scored a game-tying goal to spark a 2-1 win against the Rochester Rhinos in his USL Professional Division debut on Saturday and then scored an equalizer against English Premier League side Bolton on Sunday. Even though Orlando City ultimately fell 3-1 to Bolton, the match was a big confidence booster for the San Jose striker who just arrived on the scene late last week.
Meanwhile, on the Gulf Coast side of the Sunshine State, Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow began his second career loan deal with FC Tampa Bay. Morrow came off the bench to play 28 minutes in a 1-0 win against Bolton on July 14. To follow that up, the former Notre Dame standout started and played 59 minutes as a midfielder in his NASL debut, a 2-1 win against FC Edmonton.
Luzunaris and Morrow will be on loan throughout the remainder of their respective clubs' seasons. The Earthquakes have the option to call either into camp for Reserve League or first team fixtures.
Twenty-one games into its 2011 campaign, Orlando City is No. 1 in the American Division of USL Pro with 41 points and a 12-3-6 record. FC Tampa Bay stands middle of the table with 21 points from 16 games in NASL play.
Luzunaris signed with the Earthquakes during the 2011 preseason. The former Central Florida University and SK Rapid Wien (Austria) product scored one goal in three Reserve League games for San Jose before the loan. His lone goal was a game winner against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 22 at the Nutrilite Training Facility.
Morrow joined the Earthquakes as a second-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2010. The left-sided player has played in four games with San Jose’s senior team. Morrow earned his first career start on April 30 against the Philadelphia Union.
LUZUNARIS ON LOAN
-Started and played 67 minutes vs. Rochester Rhinos on 7/16, scored equalizer in 38th minute of a 2-1 win
-Started and played 45 minutes vs. Bolton on 7/17, scored equalizer in 28th minute of a 3-1 loss
MORROW ON LOAN
-Came on as a substitute in 62nd minute of a 1-0 win vs. Bolton on 7/14
-Started and played 59 minutes in a 2-1 win vs. FC Edmonton on 7/17
