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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies: Lions Lose Season Opener, 1-0

Published

8 years ago

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Orlando City B opened up its 2017 USL season by going into rival territory. The first I-4 Derby since Orlando City’s 2014 U.S. Open Cup victory took place in front of record crowd of 7,710 in Al Lang Stadium. However, the game finished differently than a few years ago as the host Rowdies came away with the 1-0 victory. 

A large portion of the fans were Orlando City traveling supporters and they gave the team something to fight for. Tommy Redding even gave a special shout out to the supporter groups after the game.

“It’s amazing, I can’t ask for anything more from the fans so thank you for coming out,” he said.

It was Tampa Bay’s first I-4 Derby win in seven tries against an Orlando City side.

Georgi Hristov’s spot kick in the 57th minute was the game’s only tally, set up by a Leo Fernandes run through the OCB defense that forced goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. to come off his line and foul the former Philadelphia Union man. However, without Edwards it could have been much worse, as the Rowdies finished with 21-3 (5-1 on target) and the OCB keeper made three outstanding saves to prevent any goals in the run of play.

“Earl was fantastic. He has been great since he has been with us, “ OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis said after the game. “When he has been in training with us, he has been fantastic. I’ve been really, really pleased with him. Tonight, I thought he kept us in the game and (I’m) disappointed for him that he was the one that gave up the penalty kick, but on the whole I thought that he was outstanding.”

The Rowdies dominated most of the first half, as OCB looked slow and was continually caught without numbers back to defend. The first big chance of the half came after just one minute. Tampa Bay had control of the ball going down the left wing, but Conor Donovan was able to clear the ball out for a Rowdies corner. On the ensuing corner, OCB easily defended it and the first chance of the game was over.

The game was back and forth from that moment on, and in the fifth minute, Danny Deakin won the first foul of the match. The ball went down OCB’s right hand side but former Lion Luke Boden was there for the Rowdies to clear it from danger. OCB won back the 50-50 ball and held possession for a short while before Richie Laryea took a long shot that was easily caught by Tampa Bay keeper Akira Fitzgerald. 

The game continued to go back and forth, each team defending well and immediately going on the counter. Edwards was called into action for the first time of the night when a perfect through ball to Marcel Schafer led to a one-on-one with Edwards on the keeper’s right side. Schafer took the shot across the face of the goal, which had all the home supporters thinking they went ahead but Edwards made a diving fingertip save to keep the game scoreless. 

For the second half of the first 45 minutes the Rowdies were in full control as OCB made many unforced errors and failed to maintain possession. Tampa Bay out-shot the Lions, 13-2, in the first half, and could have went up by multiple goals if not for Edwards. 

Orlando City B came out much better, and looked the best of the night to start the second half. However, the story of the second half was similar to the first, and Tampa dominated the match, but Edwards was the Man of the Match for the young Lions and kept his team in the game. 

In the 56th minute, Tampa finally found the breakthrough. Joe Cole took possession of the ball towards OCB’s goal, but Donovan stopped the former Chelsea man’s attack. Fernandes picked up the loose ball and took on the entire OCB defense before coming in one-on-one with Edwards. As Fernandes touched the ball toward the end line, Edwards brought him down in the box for a penalty kick. Hristov confidently took the kick straight down the middle for the game-winning goal.  

After the goal, OCB was re-energized for a little bit and nearly had the tying goal in the 65th minute. Pierre Da Silva made a killer through ball into the Rowdies 18-yard box that left Danny Deakin free. Deakin was just a half second too slow, though, and Fitzgerald came sliding out and ended the Lions’ attack.

From there, Tampa went back on the attack. The Rowdies put in three crosses from OCB’s right side in the next five minutes, but all were confidently dealt with by the Lions.

In the 78th minute, Tampa had its next big chance of the game. Cole found space down Tampa’s right side and looked into the middle of the field and saw his teammates following up. He attempted to be tricky and took a shot disguised as a back-post cross from way out wide, but Edwards barely got a hand on it to punch the ball over the crossbar.

“I thought that my guy would have tracked [Cole] down eventually, so I just held my ground seeing the guy running down the back post,” Edwards said. “I knew it could have been a cross and Joe Cole, having the class that he has, he went for one. I was able to keep my feet and get there.”

Ten minutes later, Cole broke free once again. Off an OCB corner, the Rowdies defended well and went straight on the counter. With OCB throwing all numbers forward, Tampa only needed three passes to send Cole on a breakaway against Edwards. Edwards was ready for it, though, and made the save, keeping the Rowdies’ lead to just one.

The Lions tried bringing on offensive players Albert Dikwa and Austin Martz, but could not fashion a good scoring chance to tie the game.

Although clearly disappointed with the result, both Pulis and Edwards seemed positive about how the Lions played.

“The positives for me was the reaction to going a goal down,” said Pulis. “I thought the boys dusted themselves off and got back on with the game.”

“It was a good starting point for us,” Edwards added. “I thought we did well building out of the back, other times it seemed a little bit forced.”

Former Orlando City fan favorite Luke Boden made his Rowdies debut tonight, and was cheered on not just by his home supporters, but the traveling Lion supporters as well. Bodz was just one of eight players that moved up with the Lions from USL to MLS, and went on to make 45 MLS appearances in purple. PC, who was one of nine Orlando City players recently loaned down to OCB, also got the start against his old team.

“There definitely was some emotion,” said Boden about playing against his former team. “I was [in Orlando] for six years and there definitely was some emotion. I spoke to Lewis [Neal] and we talked about family, but when we are on the field we are competitive. I spoke to him again after the game. It was very good seeing him.”

OCB returns to action on Thursday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m., as taking on Louisville City FC in the new Orlando City Stadium. 

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Orlando City B

Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract

Carlos Mercado signs a new contract to remain Orlando City’s third-choice goalkeeper.

Published

10 hours ago

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January 30, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City announced this morning that the club has signed goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a new contract. The deal is through the 2025 season with club options for 2026 and 2027.

“Carlos did a great job for us last year with Orlando City B and continued to provide a positive work ethic and atmosphere every day in training up with the first team and showed his skill and ability to compete every chance he got,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He’s part of a strong goalkeeping unit here at the club and we feel confident in the future of that entire position group moving forward.”

Mercado originally joined Orlando City prior to the 2024 season to back up Javier Otero. However, when Mason Stajduhar broke his tibia and fibula in a June 28 game against New York City FC, Otero became the primary backup to Pedro Gallese and Mercado was the starter for the Young Lions.

In his debut season in purple, Mercado started 20 games — including a playoff game in Chicago — playing 1,830 minutes. He conceded 30 goals for a goals-against average of 1.48 and saved 81 of 111 shots faced for a save percentage of 73%. He kept three clean sheets and compiled a record of 9-5-6 (W-L-D) while saving two of the four penalties he faced in regular play.

The 25-year-old signed a short-term deal following Stajduhar’s injury with his lone game on the team sheet being on the bench for a July 3 game against Toronto FC. He went on to sign a first-team contract on Sept. 20 through the 2024 season with options for 2025, 2026, and 2027. However, his 2025 option was declined following the season.

Mercado played for the FC Dallas academy in his youth, earning call-ups to the United States U-16 National Team and Mexico U-18 National Team. He played collegiately at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, before joining San Antonio FC of the USL Championship.

The goalkeeper made his professional debut in 2021, coming on for the final 29 minutes in a 3-0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. He stayed with San Antonio FC through the 2023 season before joining OCB.

What It Means for Orlando City

As previously mentioned, Mercado’s option for 2025 was declined following the 2024 MLS season since the club already had three other goalkeepers. However, signing another goalkeeper became necessary when Orlando City traded Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake on Jan. 15, leaving the club with two under contract.

Mercado will likely continue to be the club’s third goalkeeper and is the presumed starter for Orlando City B when the MLS NEXT Pro season starts in March. He’ll have to join the first team if Gallese goes away on international duty with Peru and Otero enters the starting lineup. Barring unavailability of Gallese and Otero, it’s unlikely he’ll see any MLS action.

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Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Season

Find out where, when, and who the Young Lions of OCB will play in 2025.

Published

3 days ago

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January 27, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was released this afternoon, telling us where, when, and who Orlando City B will play in the team’s fourth year in the league. The league will again feature 29 teams in 2025, with three teams set to enter the league next year. There are 27 MLS affiliated clubs in the league and two independents — Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC.

The schedule remains at 28 games, with Orlando City B playing 14 at home, 13 away, and one at a neutral site at IMG Academy in Bradenton. OCB home games will take place at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee again this season.

OCB will start the 2024 season with a two-game home stand, opening the season on Sunday, March 9 against Columbus Crew 2 at 7 p.m. A week later, Atlanta United 2 will visit Osceola County Stadium. The Young Lions will then hit the road for the team’s first two away games starting Wednesday, March 26 at Crown Legacy FC and following with a match at Chattanooga FC on Saturday, April 5.

In addition to opening the season at home, OCB will close the regular season by hosting FC Cincinnati 2 at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. Last year, the Young Lions opened and closed the season on the road. All Decision Day games in the Eastern Conference will start at 1 p.m. and all Western Conference matches will kick off at 4 p.m. (ET).

OCB will compete in the 15-team Eastern Conference as part of the Southeast Division. The other teams in the division are Atlanta, Carolina Core, Chattanooga, Crown Legacy, Huntsville City, and rival Inter Miami II. The reserve version of the Tropic Thunder rivalry will play out over three meetings in 2025. The Young Lions will travel IMG Academy to face the Baby Herons on April 15, with the home match in Kissimmee coming May 17. The teams will meet again in Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 14.

MLS NEXT Pro teams will again only play opponents from their own conference, limiting travel. The Young Lions will play each team in the Southeast Division three times, including Atlanta United 2, and Chattanooga twice at home and once away, and Carolina Core, Crown Legacy, and Huntsville City once each at home and twice away. OCB will play the teams from the Northeast Division once, except Columbus and New England, which the Young Lions will face both at home and away. Orlando City B will face FC Cincinnati 2, New York City FC II, New York Red Bulls II, and Toronto FC II only at home in the regular season, while facing Chicago Fire II and Philadelphia Union II only on the road.

The busiest months for OCB this season will be June and August, when the Young Lions will play five matches. They’ll play four times in April and July, three times in March, May, and September, and once in October. The most common day the Young Lions will play is on Sunday (13 games). Additionally, they have five games on Saturday, four games each on Wednesday and Friday, and one game each on Monday and Tuesday. The most common kickoff time is 7 p.m.. The Young Lions will play 18 games with that start time, three times each at 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8 p.m., and once at 1 p.m. (Decision Day).

Once again, the postseason will include 15 games this year, concluding with the MLS NEXT Pro Cup. The higher playoff seeds will again select their opponents for the matchups in the first two rounds.

The majority of regular season games and all playoff games will again air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The remaining games will be streamed live on mlsnextpro.com.

As far as viewing conflicts go for Orlando City and Pride fans, there are a few overlaps in 2025. OCB plays at 7 p.m. on April 5 at Chattanooga with the MLS Lions playing at 7:30 p.m. at Philadelphia that night. On May 23, OCB plays at Atlanta United 2 at 7:30 p.m. and the Pride and Royals kick off in Utah at 9:30 p.m. just as that game is concluding. On June 25, OCB plays at home at 7 p.m. against Toronto FC II, with Orlando City at St. Louis City at 8:30 p.m. OCB’s game July 25 at Huntsville City will kick off 30 minutes after the senior side begins playing at Columbus. The Young Lions start at home on Aug. 3 against NYCFCII an hour after the Pride and Utah Royals kick off at Inter&Co Stadium. OCB and the Pride are both home on Aug. 9 as well, with the Young Lions and Chattanooga getting underway at 7 p.m. at Osceola County Stadium, just 30 minutes before the Pride and Racing Louisville battle at Inter&Co Stadium. On Aug. 23, OCB will play at 7 p.m. at home against Atlanta United 2, with the senior Lions and Nashville SC kicking off at 8:30 p.m.

Orlando City B’s 2025 Schedule

  • Sunday, March 9 — vs. Columbus Crew 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 16 — vs. Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 26 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 5 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 9 — vs. New England Revolution II, 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 15 — vs. Inter Miami II (at IMG Academy in Bradenton), 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 27 — vs. New York Red Bulls II, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, May 2 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 17 — vs. Inter Miami II, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, May 23 — at Atlanta United 2, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 1 — vs. Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, June 6 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 11 — at Carolina Core FC, 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 25 — vs. Toronto FC, 7 p.m.
  • Monday, June 30 — at Philadelphia Union II, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 6 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 13 — vs. Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 20 — at New England Revolution II, 3 p.m.
  • Friday, July 25 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 3 — vs. New York City FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 9 — vs. Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 17 — at Columbus Crew 2, 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 23 — vs. Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 31 — vs. Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 14 — at Inter Miami II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 21 — vs. Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 27 — at Carolina Core FC, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 5 — vs. FC Cincinnati 2, 1 p.m.
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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Signs Goalkeeper Tristan Himes

The 24-year-old former academy goalkeeper returns to the club after a four-year collegiate career.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

January 8, 2025

By

Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Orlando City announced this afternoon that the club has signed former academy goalkeeper Tristan Himes to an MLS NEXT Pro contract to play with the club’s reserve side, Orlando City B. The 24-year-old returns to the club following the conclusion of his collegiate career.

“This is an exciting first step for us this year on the path to achieving our goals for 2025 and beyond,” Orlando City Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “Tristan is a player that is homegrown, that we’ve seen develop in our academy here in Orlando, and a bright young player. He’s someone whose path took him to play and get more experience in college and now we’re excited to bring him back home to Central Florida.”

The DeBary native attended the University of South Carolina after his time in the Orlando City Academy, making seven appearances in two seasons. He conceded 13 goals in 546 minutes while making 22 saves. He stopped 62.9% of his shots faced for the Gamecocks, recording one shutout and an assist. The goalkeeper played 543 minutes during his freshman season but only three minutes during his sophomore campaign, coming off the bench on Oct. 1, 2022, against West Virginia.

Himes transferred to Coastal Carolina University for his junior season but was forced to sit out all of 2023 due to injury. He returned for his senior campaign, making 10 appearances and playing 855 minutes while conceding 20 goals and making 35 saves. He finished his time with the Chanticleers completing two shutouts while recording a 2.11 goals-against average and stopping 63.6% of his 122 shots faced.

Despite coming through the Orlando City Academy, the goalkeeper was eligible for the 2025 MLS SuperDraft but wasn’t selected. The signing is the first in a string of expected deals as the club looks to rebuild its MLS NEXT Pro roster. Following the 2024 season, the contracts of six of the 10 players on MLS NEXT Pro deals expired.

Himes’ signing could see him replace Carlos Mercado, who started the majority of OCB’s games in 2024. The goalkeeper eventually signed a first-team deal late in the season, but his option was declined by the club. Depending on the recovery of first-team backup goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, Himes could start for the Young Lions or will play behind Homegrown product Javier Otero.

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