What a difference a week makes. Just last weekend, both the pro and U23 squads lost their first match in their respective leagues, something new to an organization that doesn’t happen to lose that often. But in the last few days, both teams captured big wins to both cement themselves atop the league table (pro) and keep them in striking distance of first place (U23s).

Check out this week’s three big storylines in today’s OC3.

1- Making a statement- Orlando City separated itself at the top of USL PRO with a 2-1 win against the Charleston Battery Saturday night. With the help of loan player Jean Alexandre, the Lions took down the second best team in the USL to once again make a statement to the rest of the league that the 2011 champions are for real.

The team will be training throughout the week before facing Antigua Barracuda FC on Sunday. Antigua will not have the luxury of a full week of practice as they face the Battery in Charleston on Friday in USL action after their national team, which has a good amount of Barracuda players on it, plays Jamaica at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound the Tuesday beforehand.

2- Keeping pace- With the win on Sunday over Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy, the Orlando City U23s move to second in the Southeast Division with a record of 4-1-3 and 15 points. IMG Bradenton Academics, who currently sit atop the division, have two games on hand over Orlando, meaning the U23s could move to the top spot once they catch up in games played.

Orlando City U23s Head Coach Joe Avallone talked about his team’s play after the 3-0 win over Schulz yesterday. “We created plenty of scoring chances for ourselves and capitalized on them. The boys are coming together as a unit and I can see the team chemistry building. Our focus is now on VSI Tampa on Thursday.”

3- Give Kids The World- The entire Orlando City pro team will be visiting Give Kids The World Village on Wednesday for a trip to educate the children there about the game of soccer.

Started in 1989, the Village is a 70-acre resort complete with over 140 Villa accommodations and entertainment attractions. Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 115,000 families with children who have terminal diseases since its inception in the late 80s. Be sure to look for a story about the trip and what the players thought about The Village later this week on Orlandocitysoccer.com