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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Philadelphia Union II: Final Score 1-0 as OCB Suffers Another Shutout Loss

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3 years ago

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Orlando City B (1-3-2, 7 points) fell 1-0 to Philadelphia Union II (4-1-2, 12 points) in a game in which the Young Lions were dominated. Despite being out-shot, 24-10, the only goal came from a Paxten Aaronson rebound in the 51st minute.

It had been 22 days since OCB last took the field. After drawing New England Revolution II on April 24 at Exploria Stadium, the Young Lions were scheduled to face Rochester NY FC on April 29, but the game was postponed due to stadium construction delays. As a result, it had been three weeks between games for the Young Lions.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made three changes from the team that drew Revolution II in Orlando. Diego Pareja and Nick Taylor started the game on the bench and Erick Gunera was suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the most recent game. The three were replaced by Ignacio Galvan, Alex Freeman, and Ian Silva.

Freeman signed a first-team contract prior to the season and was involved in four of the first five games  for OCB before being left out of the game against New England. First-team striker Jack Lynn also wasn’t involved in the New England game after coming off the bench against the New York Red Bulls earlier in the day. He returned to OCB tonight but started the game on the bench.

The start by Galvan was his first appearance for the club. The 19-year-old Argentine left back was acquired on loan by Orlando City from Racing Club earlier this month.

Union II got off to a fast start and kept constant pressure on OCB. It started inside the first minute when Bajung Darboe found Chris Donovan, who took a shot on goal but sent it wide right. A minute later, Jack McGlynn provided Donovan with his second opportunity of the half. The forward was looking for the opposite corner this time, but it too went wide.

A first-half worry for OCB in this game was the condition of its star goalkeeper Javier Otero. The academy product grabbed at his left shoulder early in the game, seemingly in some discomfort. However, he felt as though he was healthy enough to continue.

In the eighth minute, Nelson Pierre received the ball to the left of the goal. The midfielder attempted to curl the ball around Otero and inside the far post. However, he couldn’t get enough curve on it and the ball went out of play for an OCB goal kick.

A minute later, Pierre had another shot near the penalty spot. This shot was deflected by a defender, nearly allowing it to curve around Otero. But the young goalkeeper was able to catch his footing and make the save.

Quinn Sulllivan got into the act for Philly in the 14th minute when he sent a dangerous ball across the box. However, only two players were making runs into the box for Union II and neither were able to reach the ball as it went all the way out of play.

Two minutes later, Darboe found some space in the box and fired on goal. He was aiming for the far post but Otero did well to get down and make the save, keeping the game scoreless.

In the 19th minute, Sullivan took either a shot from a tough angle or a low cross into the box. It might have already been heading a little wide, but Otero got his hand to the ball, sending it out of play to be sure it wouldn’t go in.

OCB got its first real chance of the game in the 20th minute when Moises Tablante sent a curling ball into the box from the right. The ball went towards the back post but no Lions were able to get to it and it went harmlessly out of play.

In the 31st minute, McGlynn sent a dangerous ball across the box from the end line. Sullivan was near the penalty spot but let it go, thinking that a teammate would be making a trailing run. However, no Union II players were there and OCB was able to clear it away.

Left back Frank Westfield got into the action for Union II in the 33rd minute. Donovan found Westfield at the top of the box and the defender fired toward the left corner. The ball beat Otero but rolled just wide of the post.

OCB got its second chance of the game in the 37th minute when Tablante sent a cross towards the back post. Neicer Acosta was making the back-post run and nearly reached the ball to open the scoring, but the sliding midfielder couldn’t quite reach it.

The Young Lions had another scary moment in the 39th minute when Otero flew into a crowd of players to punch the ball away. A rough collision saw the goalkeeper come down hard and remain down. The OCB medical staff attended to the goalkeeper, but he eventually got up and decided he could continue.

About 10 minutes after that decision, Otero was put to the test. Sullivan got behind the OCB defense to the right of the goal and shot, but Otero made the stop. The rebound went right back to Sullivan who shot again. This time he lifted the ball over Otero but Philly’s best first-half chance bounced off the crossbar.

OCB got its first shot of the game one minute into first-half injury time. Up to that point, Union II had out-shot the Young Lions, 8-0. The shot came from Acosta, who had made his way into the box, but Nathan Nkanji did well to get in front and block the attempt.

Seconds later, Silva recorded OCB’s first unblocked shot of the game. The forward, who hadn’t had many touches to that point, was aiming for the left corner of the goal but sent it wide of the post.

The last chance of the first half came via McGlynn. The midfielder worked his way into the OCB box and got a shot off, but Otero got down to make the stop. It was the goalkeeper’s fifth save of the first 45 minutes.

The first half was completely dominated by Philadelphia. While the Young Lions had more possession (56.8%-43.2%) and better passing accuracy (82.2%-75.9%), this was largely because Philadelphia was having little trouble finding shots. At the break, Union II out-shot OCB, 11-2, and had more shots on target (5-0). However, Otero had been terrific which is why the game remained scoreless.

After taking 45 minutes to get a shot off in the first half, the Young Lions got their first second-half chance in the 47th minute. The opportunity came from Tablante to the right of goal, but it was a poor attempt by the midfielder, sailing well high and wide of the target.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to get their first chance of the half when Donovan got behind the OCB defense. Otero responded quickly, coming off his line to cut down Donovan’s angle and sliding in to clear it away.

In the 51st minute, Philadelphia finally broke through. Pierre found Aaronson in the box and the attacker shot on goal. However, Otero was there to block it. Unfortunately, no defenders responded to the rebound, allowing Aaronson to get a second attempt. This time he put it under the arm of Otero and in for the game’s lone goal.

A minute later, Freeman made a strong run into the box from his right back position. He made his way through multiple defenders before getting a shot off, but it was blocked and Union II cleared.

Boubacar Diallo got his first chance of the game in the 57th minute from the top of the box. The shot was just over the outstretched arm of Otero but went just over the crossbar, allowing the Young Lions to remain within a goal.

Philadelphia continued the attack in the 63rd minute when Darboe played a through ball for Jose Riasco. The substitute looked to sneak the ball inside the far post, but missed just wide.

OCB got its third chance of the second half in the 65th minute. It was Tablante’s second opportunity in the Philly box and was very similar to the first one. Unfortunately, his attempt was also very similar to the first one as the ball sailed well high and wide of the target.

After creating a good chance for Risaco earlier in the half, Darboe decided to take the next opportunity himself. Diallo found the attacker near the left corner of the box and he attempted a curling shot from distance but couldn’t bend it enough as it went wide of the post.

Union II goalkeeper Matt Freese was given little trouble in this game. In fact, he had not been forced into a save until the 77th minute. However, the first-team backup was terrific when called upon, ensuring that his team maintained its one-goal lead.

In the 77th minute, Tablante got behind the Philly defense for the third time of the second half. Freese did well to come off his line and cut down the midfielder’s angle, making the stop with his legs.

He had an even better stop in the 82nd minute. David Boccuzzo sent a ball into the box that met the head of Brandon Hackenberg. The defender redirected the ball toward the far post and it appeared to be heading in. But Freese dove to his right, getting his hand to the ball and keeping it out of the net.

Boccuzzo had his own opportunity from the top of the box in the 85th minute. It was a decent attempt by a player that spent much of the game playing center back, but it went high of the target and Freese appeared to have it the whole way.

The Young Lions continued looking for the equalizing goal and had a good opportunity in the 86th minute when substitute Owen Van Marter sent a strong, low cross into the box. It nearly met an attacking foot, but Brandan Craig did well to block it out of play.

Finally able to clear, Union II broke the other way and Donvoan had a chance to double the lead with two minutes remaining in regular time. He found space and was ready to take the shot, but Andrew Forth got in front of it for a sliding block, keeping the deficit at one.

As time wound down, OCB kept possession and attempted to find an equalizer while Union II simply looked to see out the win. In the end, the Young Lions couldn’t find a goal and fell 1-0 for their third loss this season.

OCB had more possession (57.1%-42.9%), crosses (19-5), passes (446-342), and better passing accuracy (82.1%-75.2%) in this game. However, Union II drove down the middle of the field, creating chances that resulted in more shots (24-10) and shots on target (8-2).

The visitors didn’t even threaten the hosts until the 77th minute and only made Freese make two saves. The hero for OCB, keeping the deficit at one, was Otero, who made seven saves on the night.

Offensively, it was another pitiful performance. OCB has now been held goalless in its last four games, having last scored in the team’s second game against NYCFC II on April 3. The Young Lions have now gone 411 minutes without scoring a goal.

OCB’s four goals scored represent the lowest number in the league — two fewer than Portland Timbers 2. Conversely, the Young Lions have only conceded seven times, which is tied for second in the league behind Columbus Crew 2’s three goals conceded. Additionally, Otero now leads MLS NEXT Pro with 37 saves — 10 more than Portland’s Hunter Suite.

Due to the Monday game, OCB will now have a short week, returning home to face Inter Miami II Saturday night at Osceola County Stadium.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami II: Final Score 3-2 as OCB Falls To In-State Rivals

OCB fell to Inter Miami II for the third time in the last four meetings.

Published

7 days ago

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April 15, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (3-2-1, 11 points) fell 3-2 to Inter Miami II (2-3-1, 7 points) tonight at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Tyler Hall gave Miami the early lead before Tahir Reid-Brown equalized midway through the first half. Mateo Saja gave Miami back the lead just before halftime, and Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida put the game out of reach in the second half. Shak Mohammed converted a penalty in the dying moments, but it wasn’t enough as the Young Lions fell to their in-state rivals.

OCB and Inter Miami II played at IMG Academy for the second consecutive year as part of the Generation Adidas Cup. While it was a neutral site game, Miami was the designated home team.

Several OCB regulars didn’t play in this game because they’re representing the club’s U-18 team in the Generation Adidas Cup. As a result, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made six changes to the team that won 1-0 over New England Revolution II on April 9.  Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Riyon Tori, Hayden Sargis, Juan Quevedo, and Dyson Clapier entered the starting lineup for Javier Otero, Jackson Platts, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, Justin Ellis, and Thalles.

The back line in front of Mercado in goal was Reid-Brown, Abdellaoui, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Sargis and Tori were the defensive midfielders behind Clapier, Quevedo, and Jhon Solis with Mohammed up top.

Neither team was able to create anything in the first 10 minutes. The first chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Mohammed was sent over the top and behind the Miami back line. However, a heavy first touch allowed Miami goalkeeper Ivan Schmid to come off his line and collect the ball.

Three minutes later, it was the opposition that struck first. A Sargis foul in the OCB third gave Miami a set piece. Zeltzer-Zubida took the free kick, sending the ball into the box. Sargis and Bailey Sparks tried to get a touch, but it went through to the back post. Hall beat Williams to the ball, tapping it in to give Miami a 1-0 lead.

Miami nearly doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when a chip over the back line for Saja nearly fell perfectly for the attacker. However, Saja was unable to get his foot on it and Mercado collected the ball.

The Young Lions found their equalizer in the 23rd minute from an unlikely source. Solis made a long run to the end line and sent the ball in front of goal. Unfortunately, Mohammed couldn’t turn it on target. But the ball went directly to Tori. The rookie played it left to Clapier on the far side of the box, and he laid it off for Reid-Brown rather than shooting himself. The left back sent a hard, low shot through traffic and just inside the far post to even the game at 1-1.

A defensive mistake nearly gave the lead right back to Miami in the 26th minute. Williams received a pass back by Reid-Brown and immediately gave it up to Saja. The attacker was in on goal and took a shot, but Mercado did well to make the save with his left hand, pushing it wide. Miami was unable to create anything from the ensuing corner kick and the Young Lions escaped.

In the 30th minute, Taifi sent a dangerous low cross into the box. The ball went through several players before landing at the feet of Clapier. The midfielder attempted a first-touch shot, but he was falling backward and sent the attempt well over the top.

OCB had a good chance to take the lead in the 40th minute when Reid-Brown was sent down the left. The left back caught up to the ball and sent a low cross to Mohammed making a run to the near post. The forward met the ball but sent it wide.

The Young Lions felt they should’ve had a penalty in the 41st minute when Hall and Quevedo raced for a ball over the top. As they entered the box, Hall threw his arm up and into Quevedo. The OCB midfielder went down and Schmid collected the ball. But the referee determined it wasn’t a penalty.

OCB paid for its missed chances in the 44th minute when Miami retook the lead. Sparks made a run down the left and sent a hard, low cross into the box. Saja got his heel to the ball, redirecting it past Mercado and in to give Miami a 2-1 lead.

After 45 minutes, Miami had more shots (5-4), shots on target (3-1), crosses (4-2), and corner kicks (2-0). OCB had better passing accuracy (83.9%-82.3%).

The first chance of the second half came in the 50th minute when Preston Plambeck dribbled across the top of the box before shooting from distance. It looked like the shot might’ve taken a deflection off a defender, but Mercado handled the attempt.

Miami doubled its advantage in the 55th minute with a great goal by Zeltzer-Zubida. The midfielder received a pass on the left and dribbled across the top of the box, passing Taifi and Solis before unleashing a rocket. Mercado dove to his left, but he didn’t really have a chance as the ball rippled the net to give Miami a commanding 3-1 lead.

The Young Lions tried to respond, creating a chance in the 56th minute. The low cross into the box found Quevedo, who tried to guide it inside the far post. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much on the ball, sending it wide.

In the 64th minute, a Solis pass found Taifi and Mohammed, who appeared to run into each other. Fortunately, Mohammed left it for Taifi and the defender took a touch before firing from very long distance. He was trying to catch Schmid off his line but sent the attempt wide.

Solis sent Mohammed down the right in the 66th minute. The forward had to decide between shooting and sending the ball across the box. He chose the latter, but nobody was making a run and the ball went harmlessly through.

Goldberg made his first and only change of the game in the 68th minute. Zinedine Rodriguez came into for Clapier.

The Young Lions nearly found an equalizer in the 85th minute. Taifi’s corner kick was cleared away, but Solis took possession and played Taifi back down the right. The defender sent a cross into the box that found the head of Williams. The center back’s header was traveling just inside the post, but Schmid dove to his left, knocking the ball wide.

Taifi drew a foul 25 yards away from goal as the game reached second-half stoppage time. Solis stood over the ball by himself, taking the set piece. The midfielder went directly for goal, sending a strong shot towards the near post. However, Schmid dove to his left, catching the attempt.

In the third minute of stoppage time, OCB got another chance from a corner kick. The set piece was sent to the back post, where Mohammed was waiting. Unfortunately, the forward wasn’t able to get over the ball, sending it over the crossbar.

In the ninth minute of stoppage time, Taifi beat his defender and dribbled into the box. Cristian Ortiz came in from behind, taking the defender down. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, awarding OCB a penalty.

As OCB’s leading scorer, Mohammed stepped up to the spot to take the kick. The striker sent the Miami goalkeeper the wrong way, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Two minutes later, the Young Lions felt they should’ve had a chance to equalize. Taifi’s cross resulted in contact in the box. Mohammed came flying in with a high foot and was called for the foul. OCB’s team and bench appealed for a penalty on the initial pass, but the referee disagreed.

That was the last chance as the Young Lions fell to Inter Miami II for the third time in their last four meetings. OCB is now winless in five straight against Miami, not having beaten the Herons since a 1-0 win on May 25, 2023.

OCB ended the game with more shots (13-9) and corner kicks (5-2). Miami finished with the advantage in shots on target (6-5), crosses (5-4), and passing accuracy (84.2%-83.6%).

Three points would’ve seen OCB match Chattanooga FC on top of the Eastern Conference, albeit having played one more game. Instead, the Young Lions sit in second, three points off the top. They’re only one point ahead of New York Red Bulls II, having played two more games.

The Young Lions have a 12-day break before they take the field again. It’ll be a crucial game against Red Bulls II on April 27 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II: Final Score 1-0 as Young Lions Stay Unbeaten at Home

OCB took down previously undefeated New England Revolution II to move into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 9, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (3-0-1, 11 points) took down New England Revolution II (4-2-1, 8 points) 1-0 tonight at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Shak Mohammed’s 81st-minute goal was the difference as the Young Lions took all three points and remained unbeaten at home in 2025 (2-0-1).

The midweek game saw five players return to OCB from the first team after being on the bench in Philadelphia over the weekend. Javier Otero, Thomas Williams, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Mohammed entered the lineup for Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Hayden Sargis, Dylan Judelson, and Dyson Clapier.

The back line in front of Otero in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Jackson Platts, Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Guske and Jhon Solis were the defensive midfielders behind Mohammed, Justin Ellis, and Caraballo with Thalles up top.

New England was the better team for much of the game, creating more chances than the hosts. However, few of those opportunities were on frame. OCB only had one or two threatening chances in the first 80 minutes, mostly coming right at the end of the first half. But Mohammed came through when his team needed him, striking with less than 10 minutes remaining.

The first shot of the game came in the fifth minute when Marcos Dias carried the ball near the top of the OCB box and fired. But Williams stepped up and blocked the attempt with his back.

A minute later, Gevork Diarbian received a long ball on the left and took Taifi one-on-one. The attacker made a move before trying to curl the ball around the defender and Otero, but sent the shot wide of the far post.

In the eighth minute, OCB was slow to react to a header, allowing Alex Monis to take possession. He carried the ball to the end line before sending the ball toward the penalty spot. Liam Butts and Diarbian tried to get a touch on it with their backs to goal. Instead, it went to Eric Klein, whose shot was right at Otero.

OCB had its first chance in the 11th minute when Solis intercepted a pass from Hesron Barry. The midfielder sprinted down field, finding Caraballo making a run behind the New England back line. The teenager opened up to shoot with his first touch, sending the shot right into the hands of New England goalkeeper Donovan Parisian.

Revs II had a great chance in the 14th minute when Dias played Diarbian down the left. The midfielder was charging towards the end line and sent a low ball across the box. Monis was making a run into the six and slid in between Williams and Reid-Brown, but he couldn’t get on the end of the ball.

Darbian sent another ball into the box in the 24th minute. It looked like Platts was going to clear it, but the center back didn’t get much on it. The attempted clearance went directly to Dias, whose first touch was an awkward shot from his heels. The attacker wasn’t able to get much on it, sending the ball harmlessly wide.

OCB got its second chance in the 27th minute when Caraballo sent a low ball to the top of the box where Mohammed was making a run. The Young Lions’ leading scorer met the pass and tried to put his first touch on goal. However, the defender got a touch to the ball, making the block.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg was forced to make an early change in the 30th minute when Thalles went down away from the play. The forward received treatment for a few minutes before being replaced by Clapier.

Solis drew a foul in the 32nd minute in the New England third, creating a rare first-half chance for the Young Lions. He quickly played the set piece short to Mohammed who spotted Caraballo making a run into the box. New England was unprepared as Caraballo touched the ball by a sliding Barry. However, his shot was over the crossbar.

Diarbian continued to cause problems for OCB on the left, finding Dias at the top of the box in the 42nd minute. The attacker took a shot, but Guske did well to get in front of the attempt.

After defending for much of the first half, OCB finally created a few chances in the dying minutes.

A give-and-go between Taifi and Solis in the 44th minute saw the former send a cross in that was headed out for a corner kick .Caraballo took the corner kick, sending it towards the back post where Platts was waiting. He had space to put the ball on target, but failed to get a clean touch on the ball and it went out of play.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Clapier’s shot was deflected out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was towards Platts in the box. A defender got to it first, but the ball popped up instead of out. Platts got a foot to the ball but couldn’t get any power behind it, sending it directly to Parisian.

A minute later, Caraballo had a shot blocked out for a corner kick. The Young Lions couldn’t create anything from this set piece and the half ended scoreless.

At halftime, New England had more shots (9-5), but OCB had the edge in crosses (4-3), corner kicks (3-1), and passing accuracy (88%-86.4%). Meanwhile, both teams put one chance on target.

“We talked in halftime that the game was very even,” Goldberg said about his halftime speech. “So, we said it’s about wanting it just a little bit more than them. And that’s what we tried to do.”

The second half got off to a much slower start. Both teams tried to create attacks but were unable to get anything from them.

Goldberg made his second change in the 55th minute. Riyon Tori came into the game for Ellis.

Shortly after the substitution, Butts created a chance with little space. The attacker looked to be covered, but he found enough space for a shot. It forced Otero to make a block with one hand, sending the ball out of play.

Butts had another chance in the 59th minute when Dias carried the ball to the end line. Dias played it back for Butts near the top of the six-yard box, and Butts’ first touch was a shot, but it went wide of the near post.

Solis gave the ball away to Olger Escobar in the 71st minute, creating another chance for New England. Damorney Hutchinson took possession on the right, trying to beat Otero to his near post. But his shot was blocked into the outside of the net.

Guske found Taifi on the right side of the box in the 74th minute. The defender was able to find enough space for a shot, but couldn’t get over it, sending his shot over the crossbar.

Goldberg made his final change in the 78th minute. It was a defensive change as Sargis came into the game for Caraballo. Taifi moved from right back to right midfield to make room.

OCB didn’t have many quality chances in this game, but the Young Lions took the lead in the 81st minute. Platts received the ball on the right in a seemingly innocuous position. He sent Mohammed between Gabriel Dahlin and Victor Souza. Dahlin’s hand went up, but the assistant referee determined the forward was onside. Mohammed slipped the ball through Parisian — who got a touch on it but couldn’t keep it out — to give OCB the lead.

“I tried the pass before. I had the space to beat the left winger, so it was a big touch. Then Shak obviously made the run,” Platts said about his assist. “First pass, he told me to play it earlier. So, next time I saw him I just played it earlier. And it was a goal.”

It was the first goal conceded by New England in nearly four full games to start the 2025 season.

It looked like the visitors might find an equalizer in the 84th minute when Escobar kept possession under pressure and laid it off for Allan Oyirworth. The midfielder had space for a shot, but Sargis got in the way to block it.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Judah Siqueira lifted the ball into the box for Hutchinson. Platts was against his back and Hutchinson went down. However, there was minimal if any contact. While New England appealed for a penalty, the referee correctly didn’t award one.

New England ended the game with more shots (15-9), shots on target (4-3), and crosses (8-4). OCB had better passing accuracy (87.9%-84.2%) and the all-important goal. Both teams ended up with five corner kicks.

“We knew it was going to be tough. That’s why they were undefeated,” Goldberg said about the game. “That’s why they haven’t received goals. So, we knew it was going to be tough.”

The win moves the Young Lions into a tie for first place with Chattanooga FC atop the Eastern Conference on points. However, the Tennessee-based independent club has a game in hand and the all-important tiebreaker in goal differential.

OCB will take the field again on Tuesday against rival Inter Miami CF II. The game will  be at IMG Academy in Bradenton, but OCB is the designated away team.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B’s Loss to Chattanooga Shows Impact Of Shak Mohammed

Shak Mohammed’s importance to OCB was on display in Saturday night’s loss in Chattanooga.

Published

2 weeks ago

on

April 7, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B faced an independent team Saturday night, putting the Young Lions in a unique position. When they face fellow reserve sides, the games are usually the day after the first team plays. But Saturday night’s game was at the same time, and it showed issues in the OCB attack.

Chattanooga FC is one of two independent teams currently playing in MLS NEXT Pro. As you would expect, the Tennessee-based side plays most of its home games on Saturday nights, when they can draw bigger crowds.  Unfortunately, that means the Young Lions took the field the same night as the senior side, kicking off just 30 minutes prior to the MLS squad’s match in Philadelphia.

A lack of bodies for the first team meant multiple OCB regulars had to join the senior Lions for their trip to Philadelphia. The biggest loss for the game in Chattanooga was undoubtedly Shak Mohammed, who started on the bench for Orlando City.

While Mohammed has yet to claim his place with the first team, he’s made a major impact on the second team. His 11 goals last season led the Young Lions, and he has the team lead in goals this season with two in the first three games, including a goal in each of the two previous contests.

The 21-year-old’s absence was apparent Saturday night in Tennessee. Justin Ellis started in the position Mohammed usuallly occupies with Thalles starting up top. Meanwhile, Zakaria Taifi moved from his usual defensive position into the attacking midfield.

All three players had chances early in the game. While Ellis played the distributor, Thalles and Taifi had clear chances in the first 45 minutes. However, neither player was able to put the ball past Chattanooga goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, who had seven saves on the night.

The missed opportunities showed an issue that OCB might face in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. The better Mohammed plays, the more likely he is to be with the first team. This usually won’t be a problem, as the two teams rarely play on the same days. But you can’t depend on that for the team’s success this season.

If OCB wants to improve on the 2024 campaign and win a postseason game for the first time in team history, the Young Lions will need others in the attack to step up. Otherwise, it could be frustrating nights when Mohammed is unavailable.

The lack of offensive efficiency Saturday night also showed how good Mohammed has been with the second team. Obviously, the third-division league is a much lower quality than the first-division MLS, but it leads to a question about Mohammed’s future in Orlando.

The forward was a first-round selection out of Duke in 2023. The Lions gave up Ruan in a trade with D.C. United to move up in the MLS SuperDraft, taking Mohammed with the second overall pick. Now in his third professional season, he hasn’t made the impression you’d expect from someone taken so high.

To be fair, we were seeing this with Jack Lynn as well. The 2022 first-round MLS SuperDraft pick was tearing it up in MLS NEXT Pro without seeing much time with the first team. However, he was clearly taking positive steps and was beginning to play a bigger role before retiring this past off-season.

Lynn’s departure left a spot Mohammed could fill for both teams, and he’s done a good job with OCB. His 11 goals showed a significant increase from his six goals for the Young Lions in 2023, despite only playing in two more games. Now, he just needs to show improvement with the first team.

Saturday night’s disappointing offensive performance by OCB showed Mohammed’s impact in the attack. While the Young Lions are a dangerous team with the Ghanaian in the lineup, nobody stepped up to fill his production in Chattanooga, resulting in the team’s first loss of the season. It showed the impact the attacker has had on the team this year and the improvements of his game.

Watching Moahmmed the remainder of the season will be interesting. Will he finally make the jump to appearing regularly with the first team? Will Ellis or Thalles fill Moahmmed’s production when he’s away? We should find out these answers in the near future.

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