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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. New England Revolution: Final Score 2-2 as Late Penalty Ruins Finish

Kevin Molino scores late, but New England’s questionable penalty sees Orlando come away with only a point.

Published

9 years ago

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Nick Leyva, The Mane Land

For the second straight game, Orlando City conceded a late goal to drop points. A controversial penalty call gave New England’s Lee Nguyen a late goal deep in stoppage time to swipe two more points from the Lions at home in a game that ended tied at 2-2.

The Lions (2-1-3, 9 points) remain third in the Eastern Conference table. The Revolution (1-1-5, 6 points) continued their slow start to the 2016 season and add to their ever-growing collection of draws.

Adrian Heath came out in a 4-2-3-1, with a back line of Brek Shea, Seb Hines, Tommy Redding and Kevin Alston, who started in place of Rafael Ramos, after the latter picked up a hamstring injury. Cristian Higuita also was held out of the 18 with his groin injury, so Antonio Nocerino and Darwin Ceren were the central midfield pairing; Adrian Winter started over Kevin Molino on the right side of Kaká and Carlos Rivas, while Julio Baptista got his first start for Orlando up top.

The game started with a bang as not even 15 seconds into the match, Baptista drew a penalty in the box. The Brazilian got behind the defense and was brought down by Je-Vaughn Watson, who stepped on the back of his foot as he tried to turn towards goal.

Captain Kaká jumped on the opportunity and scored the penalty, going right up the middle as Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth guessed the wrong way.

After the goal, New England came out off the restart pressing high and creating chances. In the 11th minute, a turnover in Orlando’s half of the field almost turned into a good counter for the Lions, but Rivas was brought down by the Revolution’s Gershon Koffie, who was subsequently shown a yellow card.

Meanwhile, New England continued to hold possession and Orlando continued to play off the counter. While the Lions continued to constantly defend their end of the pitch, they were still able to create opportunities to score. Their most notable chance of the half came in the 25th minute, when Orlando was able to earn a corner, but Cerén’s subsequent shot went high over the goal.

About 10 minutes later, all of the Revolution’s efforts to equalize the game finally paid off. Coming off of a corner that was questionably given — Diego Fagundez appeared to simply head the ball wide — New England took it short, finding Chris Tierney. The midfielder put a nice ball into the box, which was flicked on by the head of Koffie, and fired into the roof of the net by Teal Bunbury, leveling the game at one. Bunbury created space for the goal with a two-handed shove to the small of Redding’s back but the infraction went unnoticed.

Halftime came and went, with the score knotted at 1-1 and no changes for either team.

Orlando looked a bit more dangerous coming out in the second half, but was still lacking in quality in the final third. Meanwhile, New England became a bit more passive as the Lions held more possession, particularly after Larin and Molino were subbed on for Rivas and Winter in the 61st minute.

Kaká drifted over to the left and Baptista played in the middle, behind Larin, and Orlando continued to gain momentum, earning more dangerous chances. But the Lions still lacked that final pass or shot in the box.

Dangerous chances kept coming and going for Orlando, with the best coming in the 83rd minute, off a flicked pass from Larin to Alston, who nearly buried his old team but his attempt was just over the bar.

New England also continued to get good opportunities, but they came off the counter in the second half rather than the run of play. In the 84th minute, Redding had a terrible turnover in the final third, but Joe Bendik came up with a big kick save to stop the shot and keep the game level.

Then began the onslaught on goal from Orlando. First, Ceren’s pass to Kaká saw the ensuing shot blocked. Then Nocerino’s curler from outside the box was pushed wide by an outstretched Shuttleworth.

A minute later, Molino took an effort in the box which was again saved by Shuttleworth over the bar. Molino was not done though, as he finally broke through a minute later with what at the time looked like the game-winning goal. After chesting down the ball in the box, Molino played on despite New England calls for handball (which it did technically hit his arm) and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner of the net for his first from the run of play, giving the Lions a 2-1 lead in the 92nd minute — with just one minute of stoppage remaining.

That lead however, was not to last. A minute later, a ball into the box from the Revolution’s Nguyen looked to deflect off the front of the shoulder of Servando Carrasco, who had come on a minute earlier for Nocerino. Referee Baldomero Toledo initially signaled for a free kick for a handball just outside the box. But, after some deliberation, he changed his mind and awarded a penalty, which Nguyen then converted to tie the game.

The Lions will travel to New York next to take on the Red Bulls for another nationally televised game on Sunday at 7:30 p.m on FOX Sports 1.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/23/25

The Orlando Pride drop, OCSC Academy awards, USMNT characters, and more.

Published

15 hours ago

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April 23, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. This weekend we have the most convenient schedule, with the Orlando Pride playing Friday night, Orlando City on Saturday night, and Orlando City B on Sunday night. It’s nice knowing what I’ll be doing each night. Now, I just need all three teams to get back on the winning side of things. Until then, let’s get to the links.

Bad Pride, Good Pride

It might have been the dumbest way to lose a match against the Washington Spirit, but — actually nevermind, there is no “but” about it. We can, however, decide to move forward rather than dwell on it after today. Unsurprisingly, the Pride dropped in the all-knowing power rankings. All for XI only dropped the Pride one spot to No. 2 since everyone has a bad day now and again. The CBS power ranking dropped the team to No. 3. That was the “bad.” The “good” is that we can revisit the puppies that showed up at Inter&Co Stadium. The loss still hurts, but it’s hard to stay mad after looking at the puppies.

The (OCSC) Academy Awards

Assuming you read Lion Links on Monday morning (or listened to The Mane Land PawedCast this week) you know that the Orlando City SC Academy U-18 team won the Generation Adidas Cup. Now we know that three of the very young Lions — Gustavo Caraballo, Jackson Platts, and Justin Ellis — were named to the U18 Best XI. Additionally, Caraballo and Ellis earned MVP and Top Scorer awards, respectively. It was truly the bright spot of an otherwise forgettable weekend.

Pochettino Prepares

The USMNT did not do well in the Concacaf Nations League, falling to Panama and then Canada in the third place match. Now, U.S. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has to prepare the team for the Gold Cup. Pochettino said that he needs the “right characters” on the squad, whether they are the most talented or not. He also spoke of the need for the players to fight for the badge and the flag. Former USMNT coach Bruce Arena said Pochettino may not be the right man for the job because he’s not an American. The USMNT’s next matches are friendlies against Turkiye and Switzerland on June 7 and June 10, respectively.

MLS Transfer News

The Columbus Crew are making moves. The club received $250,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot. The club then sent DeJuan Jones to the San Jose Earthquakes for $425,000 in GAM and a 2025 international roster slot. Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City acquired forward Santiago Muñoz on loan from Liga MX side Santos Laguna.

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That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the full slate of matches coming up.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 4/22/25

Pedro Gallese earns recognition, Americans in midweek action, English promotion update, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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April 22, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Well it wasn’t the worst weekend that Orlando soccer has ever had, but it certainly wasn’t the best either. Fortunately, all three of Orlando’s teams will be back in action soon, so there’s no need to dwell on the past too much. Let’s take a moment to wish a happy birthday to the Orlando Pride’s Brianna Martinez, as well as to Kaká! Now, it’s time to turn our attention to today’s links.

Pedro Gallese Earns Weekly Recognition

Pedro Gallese kept a third clean sheet in a row and Orlando City’s third clean sheet of the year in the team’s scoreless draw on the road against CF Montreal. In recognition of his efforts during the match, Gallese was named to the bench of the latest edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday. El Pulpo made six saves to blank a Montreal team that intently searched for a breakthrough, and made a couple of truly excellent second half stops that kept the score level. Congrats to Pedro and keep up the good work!

Americans in Midweek Action

A number of Americans will be playing games during the working week, and there are some big matches to keep an eye on. The main event is on Wednesday, when Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan face Inter Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal, which is tied 1-1 after the first leg. Also on Wednesday, Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace will play Arsenal in the Premier League. Thursday then has Malik Tillman, Richy Ledezma, and PSV Eindhoven playing FC Twente in the Eredivisie, while Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis play Valladolid in La Liga action.

English Promotion Update

Following results in the EFL Championship on Monday, Leeds United and Burnley have both secured promotion to the Premier League for next season. Both teams won their respective games and are each on 94 points, and with just two matches left, third-placed Sheffield United has no way to catch them. The other promoted side will be determined after the promotion playoffs, which would feature Sheffield United, Sunderland, Bristol City, and Coventry City if the season ended today. Meanwhile in League One, Wrexham’s 2-1 victory over Blackpool meant the Dragons retook second place and the automatic promotion spot that comes with it. If they beat Charlton on Sunday and Wycombe Wanderers drop points against Leyton Orient, then Wrexham would secure promotion to the Championship.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

Transfer rumors continue to fly thick and fast as we approach the business end of most European seasons, so let’s take a look at a few items worth catching up on. Manchester United is said to be keen on signing 17-year-old Argentine Franco Mastantuono from River Plate. Liverpool is reportedly interested in signing winger Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, although the Reds would likely face competition from several other Premier League teams. Finally, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has revealed that he and Xabi Alonso have a gentleman’s agreement that if a team the Spaniard used to play for is interested in hiring him as its coach, then the club will not hinder the process. The statement has led to renewed speculation that Alonso will be named Real Madrid coach if Carlo Ancelotti leaves in the summer.

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That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando City

Orlando City’s Focus On Youth Development Showing In The First Team

Orlando City is seeing more and more players promoted from the academy, through OCB, and into the first team.

Published

2 days ago

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April 21, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City began its academy in the USL Pro days with the goal of developing players for the first team. It took nearly a decade to begin seeing youth development bear fruit, but it’s becoming apparent early in the 2025 season.

Prior to 2019, Orlando City signed four players to Homegrown Player contracts. Tommy Redding, Tyler Turner, and Harrison Heath never played in the academy and the other, Mason Stajduhar, developed primarily at Chargers Soccer Club in Tampa.

Orlando City signed arguably its first true Homegrown Player when the club inked Benji Michel to a first-team contract. The following off-season, the Lions added David Loera and Jordan Bender. Mikey Halliday signed in July 2020. All of the players came through the academy before signing first-team deals. 

So what changed?

Part of it was the growth of the academy. It takes several years to begin producing players. Another major factor was the hiring of Luiz Muzzi on Dec. 18, 2019. Muzzi came from FC Dallas, a club known for promoting from its academy. He brought in Ricardo Moreira, who shares his vision of developing young talent for the first team.

And it’s not only Muzzi and Moreira. Former Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath rarely attended OCB games. James O’Connor only went to one, and that was to see his former teammate, Dennis Chin, who was playing with the opposing Richmond Kickers. The Orlando City boss left when Chin came off.

Oscar Pareja and other first-team coaches have been at several games, far more than their predecessors. That’s largely to do with the games’ location at the training facility, which is another factor in OCB’s development. The 2019 team trained over 40 miles away from the first team. The move to Kissimmee has the first team, OCB, and the development academy under one roof. It’s another display of the club’s more recent commitment to youth development.

Undoubtedly, the transformation of OCB under Muzzi and Moreira has also impacted Homegrown talent coming through. The team’s 2016 and 2017 rosters were primarily made up of first-team reserves and USL lifers. The 2019 team had many players from the Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy (SIMA), many of which were young but ineligible for Homegrown status.

Things began to change in 2020. The roster shifted to include more academy players and that’s only grown. This year, 15 OCB players came out of the academy, two were drafted, and eight are outside signings on MLS NEXT Pro deals. Other than Jhon Solis and first-team goalkeeper Carlos Mercado, everyone to appear for the team is 23 years old or younger.

The focus on giving OCB spots to academy graduates is now seen in the first team. Players like Thomas Williams, Javier Otero, Alex Freeman, Colin Guske, and Gustavo Caraballo have been regulars on the MLS team sheet. Injuries to first-team regulars has seen them receiving regular playing time.

The poster boy for this change is Freeman. The right back came out of the academy and spent a couple of years at OCB before signing his first-team contract. He won the starting role early in the 2025 regular season.

Many players joined the club later in their development, but we’re seeing some come through having been nearly fully developed at the Orlando City Academy. Guske and Caraballo joined at 13 years old, the youngest age group of the development academy. Both signed first-team deals for this year.

The midfield duo continue to play with OCB most games but are also on the first-team roster almost weekly. The only reason they weren’t in Montreal Saturday night is because they were helping the club’s U-18 team reach (and then win) the Generation Adidas Cup final.

With Muzzi and Moreira at the helm, more players continue to come through. U-18 captain and OCB starter Jackson Platts appears to be well on his way to a first-team contract. So does fellow U-18 and OCB starting forward Justin Ellis.

This past weekend saw another academy product make his first-team debut. Zakaria Taifi took over at right back for OCB when Freeman moved up to the first team this year. Signing a short-term deal Saturday, he came on as a late substitute to help the 10-man Lions see out the scoreless draw.

First-team absences have provided opportunities for many young players. If several weren’t at the Generation Adidas Cup, it could be more. Regardless, the last few years have shown a big step forward for the club.

The shift in recent years is more than the pride of seeing local kids representing the hometown team. They’ve been an essential part of the 2025 campaign. The club hasn’t had to use a short bench or dip into outside emergency signings. Instead, the Lions call up kids they know, making it easier to seamlessly place them into the team.

There will be times where several injuries will occur to experienced players. Orlando City is prepared for this more now than ever before, and it’s because of the players coming through the academy and playing with OCB. We’re already seeing it early in this 2025 season.

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