Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Louisville City FC: Match Preview and How to Watch
Orlando City B is set to host its first match of the 2017 USL season tonight at 7:30 p.m. as Louisville City FC visits Orlando City Stadium. Both clubs will be seeking their first victory of the season; Louisville picked up a point in its opening match and OCB fell to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-0, last weekend.
It was disappointing showing from OCB in its opening match on Saturday. Offensively, the Lions only produced three shots on goal and only one on target. They were caught out defensively and could have suffered a larger margin of defeat, but goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. had a strong performance in net.
Louisville, which was Orlando City’s USL affiliate in 2015, was involved in a scoreless draw with Saint Louis FC on Saturday. The club from Kentucky out-shot their opponents, 21-4, but only managed to put six shots on target.
Forward Cameron Lancaster was a threat all match long for Louisville, however, he failed to take advantage of his opportunities. He will be one to watch for on Thursday.
OCB will need to see some production from their offensive players, including Pierre Da Silva and Michael Cox. Both players played the full 90 minutes against the Rowdies, but were unable to produce any real threats to their rivals.
As for injuries, suspensions, and unavailability, Louisville will be without defender Sean Reynolds who is still serving a suspension. Additionally, goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh did not travel with the team, as he suffered an injury on Saturday. Midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye just finished up playing for the U-23 Canadian side and will not be on the match day roster.
Jordan Schweitzer will not be in the lineup for OCB, as the midfielder just finished playing in two matches against Qatar for the Canadian U-23 team. Look for fewer first team members in the lineup tonight for OCB, as some of those players will need to be match ready on Saturday in case they’re needed.
In last season’s three meetings between the two clubs, Louisville won two, which included a 4-3 win in Orlando.
Last Week's Lineups
OCB: Earl Edwards Jr; Kevin Alston, Conor Donovan, Tommy Redding, Victor Pagliari Giro; Paul Clowes, Lewis Neal, Danny Deakin, Richie Laryea, Pierre Da Silva; Michael Cox
Louisville City: Greg Ranjitsingh; Sean Totsch, Oscar Jimenez, Kyle Smith, Tarek Morad; Speedy Williams, Brian Ownby, Paolo DelPiccolo, Richard Ballard, George Davis III; Cameron Lancaster
How To Watch
To catch tonight's game, tune into the official USL Youtube page or at orlandocitysc.com/live for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff. For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along at @TheManeLand on Twitter.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati 2: Final Score 4-1 as Loss Eliminates OCB from Playoff Race
OCB ended its 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 4-1 loss to FC Cincinnati.
Orlando City B (9-13-6, 37 points) ended its 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 4-1 loss to FC Cincinnati 2 (9-12-7, 41 points) today at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Albright Chikamso scored the lone goal for the Young Lions, and Gerardo Valenzuela, Stefan Chirila, and Kenji Mboma Dem scored for the visitors.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made only one change to the team that drew 3-3 with Carolina Core FC on Sept. 27 and won 4-2 on penalties. Chikamso made his first start for the team, replacing Tahir Reid-Brown, who left injured in the first half in North Carolina.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Chikamso, Thomas Williams, Hayden Sargis, and Riyon Tori. Colin Guske and Justin Hylton were the defensive midfielders behind Gustavo Caraballo, Justin Ellis, and Titus Sandy, Jr., with Shak Mohammed up top.
The Young Lions started the day in 10th place but with an opportunity to qualify for one of the eight playoff spots. Results around the league went their way, but the team failed to take advantage, as FC Cincinnati 2 dominated the match to end OCB’s season.
Cincinnati’s opening goal always seemed likely, and when it did, it briefly woke up the Young Lions. They converted an equalizer in the 30th minute but fell apart after that. Cincinnati dominated the remainder of the game, putting it away before halftime.
Cincinnati was the more attacking team early as OCB struggled to clear the ball. Valenzuela dribbled near the OCB box in the second minute before Hylton stepped on his foot, conceding a free kick near the top of the penalty area.
Mboma Dem went for goal on the set piece, sending it on target. However, Mercado got to his near post to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner kick. FC Cincinnati 2 committed a foul on the ensuing ball into the box, ending the attack.
The visitors created another attempt in the 10th minute when Valenzuela received a pass near the top right corner of the OCB box. The attacker fired, but Chikamso blocked it out for a corner kick. Again, Cincinnati couldn’t create anything from the set piece and the Young Lions cleared the danger.
The Young Lions nearly took the lead when Hylton played Sandy down the right in the 15th minute. The rookie played it back central for Hylton near the top of the box, where he was taken down by Stiven Jimenez. Caraballo took the set piece, sending his attempt off the crossbar. The ball bounced around before being cleared to Guske at the top of the box. The Homegrown Player volleyed the ball wide of the far post.
The visitors scored in the 20th minute through a wonderful run by Valenzuela. The midfielder weaved through defenders into the OCB box, beating Williams, Chikamso, and Sargis, before guiding the ball past Mercado and inside the far post from just inside the six-yard box, giving his team the 1-0 lead.
Mohammed made a run to the top of the Cincinnati box in the 24th minute, shooting from distance. Andrei Chirila deflected it wide for a corner kick. Caraballo took the ensuing set piece, sending it through the box untouched and out for a goal kick.
In the 26th minute, Sandy sent a cross into the box that found Ellis’ head, but he sent his shot over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Hylton shot from the top of the box that deflected off Yamir Uculmana, forcing Cincinnati goalkeeper Paul Walters to tip it wide. The Young Lions kept possession in the Cincinnati third, creating another chance when Mohammed found Ellis at the top of the box. He played it forward for Sandy, whose low cross was cleared wide.
OCB continued on the attack, earning a corner kick in the 30th minute. Caraballo sent the set piece into the box, where Chikamso headed it inside the far post for his first professional goal, evening the game at 1-1.
Mboma Dem took a shot from the top right corner of the box in the 34th minute that Guske blocked. However, the OCB midfielder took the worst of it, going down injured. Since he received attention for something other than a head injury, he had to leave the game briefly, leaving the Young Lions with 10 men. The visitors took advantage when a pair of brothers converted with the help of an OCB mistake.
Andrei Chirila sent a long ball down the right for Stefan Chirila. Williams stepped in front to intercept, but he missed the ball, allowing the attacker to shield Sargis and get behind the back line. The attacker placed the ball behind Mercado, retaking the lead for Cincinnati.
Valenzuela took a layoff from Stefan Chirila in the 41st minute. The midfielder took a shot, looking for his second goal of the game, but Hylton deflected it out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece resulted in two crosses before Uculmana pulled Hylton back, earning a yellow card.
Two minutes later, the visitors extended their lead. Hylton had the ball near the top of the OCB box, losing possession to Stefan Chirila. The midfielder touched the ball forward for Mboma Dem, who beat Mercado to his near post to give his team a 3-1 lead.
Guske went down for a second time in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. It initially looked like Goldberg would make his first change, but he decided to end the half with 10 men to avoid using a substitution window.
The final chance of the half came in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Hylton failed to clear the ball. Valenzuela took possession of the ball, firing on target and forcing Mercado to go down to make the stop.
After 45 minutes of action, Cincinnati had the edge in shots (8-7), shots on target (5-2), corner kicks (4-2), and passing accuracy (91.2%-89.5%). OCB had more crosses (3-2) but trailed by two goals at the break.
OCB made one halftime substitution at central midfield as the injured Guske was replaced by Dylan Judelson.
Cincinnati started the second half the way it ended the first half, putting pressure on the OCB back line. In the 46th minute, Valenzuela played Mboma Dem forward, but Mercado blocked his shot out of play for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece resulted in several headers that the Young Lions were unable to clear. Eventually, Williams knocked it out for another corner kick that landed on the foot of Uculmana, but his attempt went wide.
The Young Lions had one of their best attacks in the 51st minute, passing the ball around the top of the box. Mohammed took a shot from the top right corner that Andrei Chirila blocked. The ball deflected to Ellis, who fired, but Noah Adnan blocked it.
The Young Lions forced a turnover in the 53rd and went on the break with Hylton finding Mohammed to his right. The forward took a couple of touches before shooting from the top of the box, but Andrei Chirila made another block.
The visitors extended their lead again in the 59th minute when Tori blocked Stefan Chirila’s pass. Unfortunately, it went straight to Mboma Dem, allowing him to get behind the OCB back line. He sent it past Mercado to give Cincinnati a 4-1 lead.
The Young Lions nearly got one back in the 61st minute when they earned a corner kick. Caraballo sent the set piece into the box, where Sargis got his head to the ball. The center back sent it to the back post where the ball bounced off the woodwork, keeping the deficit at three goals.
Chikamso went down injured in the 67th minute, requiring attention. The stoppage allowed Goldberg to make three more changes. Favian Loyola, Noham Abdellaoui, and Jacob Ramirez entered the game for Chikamso, Williams, and Hylton.
The Young Lions should have netted a second goal in the 71st minute when Caraballo found Ellis open near the penalty spot. Ellis somehow managed to send the shot wide. Loyola got into the action in the 72nd minute, receiving the ball well outside the box. Rather than crossing it in for a teammate, he went for goal from 25 yards out, sending his attempt right to Walters.
On the other end, Carson Locker attempted a long-distance attempt, but this one sailed well over the crossbar.
Caraballo made a run to the top of the box in the 75th minute before backheeling the ball to Ellis behind him. The attacker’s second touch was a shot that forced Walters to dive to his right to tip it wide. The Young Lions couldn’t create anything from the ensuing set piece as Cincinnati cleared.
Goldberg made his final change during the second-half hydration break, replacing Sandy with Jake Basinet.
Loyola played Mohammed to the end line in the 82nd minute and the forward reached it before it went out of play. His pass was a little behind Ellis, who flicked it on frame with his heel. It was a close-range chance on target, but Walters reacted well to make the stop.
The Young Lions came close again in the 88th minute when Judelson drew a foul on Yair Ramos near the top of the OCB box. Loyola’s set piece found Abdellaoui’s head, but he sent his attempt off the post.
Mohammed earned a corner kick in the first minute of stoppage time. Loyola’s ensuing set piece delivery found Ellis, who sent his header attempt wide.
At full time, OCB had more shots (18-14), crosses (8-3), and corner kicks (7-6). However, the Young Lions struggled to put their chances on target, sending fewer on frame than the opposition (8-4). Additionally, the visitors had better passing accuracy (89.5%-88.8%).
Three points in this game would have qualified the Young Lions for a third consecutive postseason. Unfortunately, they failed to show up when needed, being completely outplayed. Meanwhile, Cincinnati was up to the occasion, earning a playoff spot on the last day of the season.
That concludes OCB’s 2025 season. The Young Lions put themselves in position to qualify for the playoffs with a three-game winning streak in August and September, but losses to teams below them were costly. Overall, it will be seen as a disappointing season for OCB.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Carolina Core FC: Final Score 3-3 (4-2) as Young Lions Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
OCB drew at Carolina Core FC and won on penalties to claim two points, keeping their playoff hopes barely alive.
Orlando City B (9-12-6, 37 points) gathered a huge two points away from home by drawing Carolina Core FC (8-9-10, 39 points) 3-3 at Truist Point in High Point, NC, and winning the ensuing penalty shootout 4-2. Paul Leonardi gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with goals in the 36th and 40th minutes, with Shak Mohammed pulling one back just before halftime. Gustavo Caraballo equalized four minutes after the break, but the Young Lions quickly conceded a third to Daniel Chica. A Justin Hylton shot off the crossbar bounced off the back of goalkeeper Alex Sutton for the equalizer.
The Young Lions then took care of business from the penalty spot to claim a second point from the match.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes from the team that lost 1-0 to Huntsville City FC Sunday night. Titus Sandy, Jr. and Gustavo Caraballo entered the starting lineup for Favian Loyola and Thalles.
The back line in front of goalkeeper and birthday boy Carlos Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Hayden Sargis, and Riyon Tori. Colin Guske and Hylton were in the defensive midfield behind Caraballo, Justin Ellis, and Sandy, with Mohammed up top.
This was a wild game from start to finish with bad giveaways in the back, desperate defending, and some excellent goals. The hosts dominated most of the first half and it looked like they’d run away with the three points when they went up 2-0. But the Young Lions showed a lot of fight to come back, evening the game at 2-2 in the 49th minute. Even when they quickly gave the lead back, OCB continued to push, finding an equalizer, and could’ve found a late winner.
Carolina started the game on the front foot. The first shot of the game came in the seventh minute when Antonio Pineda took a shot from the right side of the box. There wasn’t much room for the attempt and Williams was there to block it.
Ellis played a great diagonal ball to Caraballo on the left side in the 16th minute. Sandy was making a back-post run and Caraballo played the ball across the face of goal. Unfortunately, the pass was a bit too far in front of Sandy.
Leonardi spent the early part of the game attempting to set up his teammates, but he went for goal himself in the 22nd minute. Taking Reid-Brown one-on-one, the right back created enough space to get a shot off but sent his attempt high and wide of the target.
Carolina kept the ball in the OCB third, resulting in Jathan Juarez receiving it at the top left corner of the box. Sandy let the midfielder reach the middle of the field, where Juarez shot between Guske and Hylton. It was the game’s first shot on target, but Mercado was there to guide it away.
Facundo Canete played a ball to the right in the 28th minute with Pineda making a run. Pineda laid the ball off for Leonardi entering the box but Williams got in the way of a first-touch shot.
Reid-Brown went down in the OCB box in the 30th minute. After an evaluation, he was unable to continue and was replaced by Jackson Platts. It’s the second time in three games that Reid-Brown had to depart early, suffering an injury in the 19th minute at Inter Miami CF II on Sept. 14.
Ellis sent Mohammed behind the Carolina back line in the 34th minute. The striker chased down the ball before it went out of play. He aimed to slip the ball inside the far post but shot wide.
On the other end, Leonardi continued to cause problems. He sent a dangerous cross into the six-yard box in the 35th minute that went just over Anthony Sumo, Jr.’s head. The ball ended up with Juarez near the top of the box, but Tori deflected his shot out of play for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was cleared by Mohammed and collected by Juarez. The midfielder passed to his right to Leonardi, who dribbled around Mohammed and Ellis before beating Mercado to his near post to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Leonardi doubled the Carolina advantage. Juarez received the ball on the left in the 40th minute and sent a cross into the box that Sargis headed away. However, Leonardi was there to chest it down and hit it past Mercado to make it 2-0 Core FC.
While he played most of the half on the right, Leonardi nearly created a third goal for Carolina from the left in the 42nd minute. The outside back drew a pair of defenders while Sumo made a run to the top of the six-yard box. It was a good pass to the striker, but Sargis cleared it away just in time.
OCB took advantage of a Carolina mistake in the 45th minute to get back into the game. Juarez threw the ball in to Alenga Charles, who was careless and lost it to Tori. Charles went in with a hard challenge on the right back, but Tori got his pass away just in time. Ellis turned and played Mohammed into the box, setting the striker up for his 11th goal of the season.
Mohammed nearly matched Leonardi’s brace in the fourth minute of stoppage time when an excellent ball to the back post found the striker making a run. Mohammed got his head to the cross, but he couldn’t get over the ball, sending it over the crossbar.
The final chance of the half came in the seventh minute of stoppage time, when Charles took Guske down in the Carolina third of the field. Ellis took the set piece, sending the ball curling towards the back post, where Guske was making a run. Unfortunately, it was just beyond the reach of the midfielder and out of play.
Carolina ended the first 45 minutes with more shots (9-3), shots on target (3-1), and crosses (5-2). OCB had better passing accuracy (84.9%-82%) and each team won one corner kick.
The Young Lions got the second half off to a great start, scoring in the 49th minute. Sutton received a pass and sent it wide right for Kai Thomas. The right back looked to clear the ball up the field, but Caraballo closed him down, blocking the clearance and creating a counterattack. Sutton came out to cut down Caraballo’s angle, but the teenager slipped it underneath to even the game at 2-2.
Unfortunately, the Young Lions quickly gave the lead back to the hosts in the 51st minute. Williams was called for a questionable foul on Sumo at the top of the box. Rodriguez and Canete stood over the ball, with Canete taking the set piece. Mercado blocked the shot, but none of his defenders responded, allowing Chica to give Carolina the 3-2 lead.
Sumo received a pass on the right in the 55th minute and dribbled inside with Guske on his hip. However, the attacker was able to create enough space for a shot. Sumo aimed for the top corner but sent the attempt off target.
A minute later, Caraballo tried to create another equalizer when he sent a dangerous cross in from the left side. Mohammed was making a run into the six-yard box and looked to have position, but Rodriguez did well to get to the ball first, clearing it away.
The Young Lions found their second equalizer of the night in the 64th minute when Mohammed played the ball to Caraballo making a run on the left. The midfielder cut inside to lose a pair of defenders before finding enough space to shoot. Sutton did well to get down and block the attempt away. The ball went back to Caraballo in front of goal, but Aryeh Miller blocked his second shot . This time it went to Hylton, who sent his shot off the crossbar. But the ball carmoned off the woodwork, bounced off Sutton’s back, and went in, tying the game at 3-3.
The Young Lions were looking for their first lead of the game in the 70th minute when Ellis took possession off a turnover in the Carolina third. The attacker played it near the penalty spot to Mohammed, who immediately laid it off for Hylton. Unfortunately, the shot deflected over the crossbar. The ensuing set piece was punched away by Sutton, ending the threat.
Pineda sent a long ball across the box for Leonardi in the 73rd minute that the French defender volleyed on goal. It was heading wide, but Mercado decided to stop it anyway. Unfortunately, he fumbled the ball, forcing his defender to clear it out of play for a Carolina throw-in. The ensuing throw-in found Pineda just inside the box, and the attacker turned his two defenders to create space for a shot on goal. Tori got in front to block the shot. The ball got through the defender, but it was easy for Mercado to pick up.
OCB won a corner kick in the 78th minute. However, before the set piece could be taken, Hylton went down just outside the Carolina box, requiring attention. Goldberg used the stoppage to replace Hylton and Sandy with Dylan Judelson and Loyola.
It looked like the Young Lions might take the lead in the 83rd minute when Caraballo played Mohammed behind the back line. There were no defenders behind Mohammed and the striker went down after some contact. A foul would’ve been a red card, but the referee allowed play to continue. Loyola took over and dribbled into the box before losing possession.
Ellis sent Mohammed behind the back line again in the 86th minute — this time without any contact. The striker was in a foot race with Rodriguez, who put enough pressure on Mohammed to force the shot wide of the near post.
Ellis made a long run in the 88th minute and decided to the shot himself. The attacker sent the ball towards the back post, however, Sutton did well to get down and block it. Mohammed followed up, but the offside flag went up.
In the 90th minute, Ellis cut inside to lose his defender, sending his shot off the crossbar. The ball was headed away, but Ellis regained possession, sending it wide for Caraballo. The midfielder sent a cross into the box that Sutton easily collected. A minute later, Loyola tried to make something happen from long distance. The second-half substitute fired from the right side, but it was a relatively weak shot that caused little trouble for Sutton.
Glory Nzingo took a shot from just outside the box in the third minute of stoppage time that Sargis deflected out for a corner. Leonardi took the set piece, playing it to Jacob Evans, who lifted it into the box. The ball bounced dangerously around the six before Williams desperately cleared it away.
The Young Lions got one last chance in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Chica took down Ellis 22 yards out from goal. Loyola was the only one standing over the ball. He went for goal but sent his shot over the crossbar.
At full time, Carolina had more shots (15-13), shots on target (6-5), crosses (9-3), and corner kicks (5-4). OCB had better passing accuracy (87.6%-82.5%), but converted three times to earn a crucial draw.
Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, draws go to a shootout to see who gets the extra point.
Mercado came up big for the Young Lions, saving Evans’ opening penalty and the fourth penalty by Ibrahim Covi. Meanwhile, Ellis, Judelson, Mohammed, and Guske all converted to ensure OCB took home two points.
With these two points, Goldberg now has 77 in the regular season since taking over as head coach last year, tying Anthony Pulis’ total in 2016 and 2017. However, Pulis didn’t have the opportunity to claim extra points in penalty shootouts, unlike Goldberg, who has done so eight times. As a result, Pulis reached 77 points in 62 games while Goldberg has done so in 53 games.
Regardless of the result, OCB would’ve finished this game in ninth and below the playoff line due to their -14 goal difference. However, claiming two points keeps their hopes alive for another week. They now sit one point behind Toronto FC II and two points behind Carolina with one game remaining for all three teams.
That doesn’t mean they’ll finish in this position. NYCFC II and FC Cincinnati 2 are two points back, and Atlanta United 2 is three points back. All three have one game in hand and can jump the Young Lions in the coming days.
The next game for OCB is Decision Day on Sunday, Oct. 5. They welcome FC Cincinnati 2 to Osceola County Stadium at 1 p.m. with a chance to make the playoffs for the third straight year.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Huntsville City FC: Final Score 1-0 as OCB Suffers Devastating Blow To Playoff Hopes
OCB’s loss to Huntsville City puts the Young Lions in a difficult position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Orlando City B (9-12-5, 35 points) suffered a tough loss at Osceola County Stadium tonight, falling 1-0 to Huntsville City FC (12-8-6, 46 points). Maximus Ekk’s 80th-minute goal was the difference as the Young Lions suffered a huge blow to their playoff hopes.
OCB deployed the same starting lineup that drew 1-1 with Inter Miami II on Sept. 14 and claimed the extra point on penalties. It’s the first time all season the Young Lions had the same lineup in consecutive games.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Hayden Sargis, and Riyon Tori. Colin Guske and Justin Hylton were the defensive midfielders behind Shak Mohammed, Justin Ellis, and Favian Loyola, with Thalles up top.
OCB came into this game with everything to play for. While the Young Lions started outside of the playoffs, three points would’ve seen them jump Carolina Core FC to sit in the eighth and final playoff spot. Unfortunately, they looked lethargic in this game, creating few chances for most of the 90 minutes. A late goal doomed the home side, as OCB lost their opportunity to control its own destiny.
The Young Lions created the game’s first opportunity in the 12th minute when Loyola lifted the ball into the Huntsville box. Tori got his head to the ball and put the attempt on target, but he wasn’t able to get much on it, providing Brian Schwake with an easy catch.
In the 17th minute, Mercado sent a long ball from inside his own box that found Loyola on the right. After using some nifty footwork to lose his defender, the attacker sent the ball across the box for Mohammed on the far side. OCB’s leading goal scorer fired for the near post, missing just wide. A minute later, Ellis made a run to the top of the Huntsville box, receiving a pass from Mohammed. After a quick give-and-go with Thalles, the attacker dribbled into the 18. He had one defender to beat before it was taken off his foot, and Philip Mayaka cleared it away.
The Young Lions lost the ball on the ensuing throw-in, creating Huntsville’s first chance of the night. Mayaka intercepted Tori’s pass and sent it forward for Alan Carleton. The former Atlanta United player’s second touch was behind the OCB back, line where Gunnar Studenhofft met it. The attacker touched the ball around Mercado and had an empty net, but hit the shot just wide of the near post.
Ellis was looking for another give-and-go with Thalles in the 20th minute, but the striker played it a little behind where Ellis wanted the ball. So, rather than entering the box, the young attacker fired from just outside of the box, sending his shot over the top.
The visitors used some quick passing in the 26th minute to create their first shot on target. Carleton played a give-and-go with Pep Casas and Studenhofft before taking a shot from the top of the box. It was an impressive buildup, but the shot left a lot to be desired, allowing Mercado to make an easy stop.
Loyola kept trying to make something happen on the right. Earlier in the half, he cut inside and shot from outside the box, but it was blocked by Tyshawn Rose. In the 32nd minute, he made the same move. This time he created enough space for a shot that went straight to Schwake.
Mayaka fouled Hylton in the 40th minute, giving OCB a free kick. The Young Lionis played it quickly, with Ellis making a run to the top of the box. The attacker took a low shot from distance, sending his attempt just wide of the near post.
In the 42nd minute, Carleton found space at the top of the box for a shot on goal. The midfielder put the attempt on target, but it was right at Mercado.
The OCB keeper rolled the ball out for Loyola, who immediately lost it in his own third of the field. After a Guske foul gave the visitors a free kick, Damien Barker John created a chance, weaving through OCB defenders to reach the top of the box. The midfielder fired a shot that was close enough to cause Mercado to jump but it went over the crossbar.
It was a tight first half with OCB having more shots (6-4) and crosses (1-0), while Huntsville had better passing accuracy (93.6%-89%). Both teams ended the half with two shots on target, and neither team won any corner kicks.
Rose received a pass forward in the 56th minute, heading towards the end line. The left back attempted a cross that was blocked out of play by Tori, earning the first corner kick of the game for either team. Zach Barrett climbed up to win the ensuing free kick, heading the attempt wide of the far post.
The Young Lions won their first corner kick in the 60th minute when Mohammed sent Reid-Brown down the left. The defender turned the corner to get into the box before the ball was knocked off his foot. It went to Mohammed, who continued his run and shot. However, Mayaka got in front to block it out of play. Hylton’s ensuing set piece found Williams’ head, but the defender sent his near-post attempt too close to Schwake, who dove to his right to make the stop.
Carleton found Knight in the 63rd minute and the forward’s second touch was a shot across the face of goal. It was past Mercado and rolled just wide of the far post.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg used the stoppage to make his first change of the game, replacing Loyola with Nico Rodriguez.
Mohammed received a pass from Hylton on the right side of the box in the 68th minute and stumbled through a pair of defenders before getting a shot off. However, he didn’t get much on it, and the ball rolled softly to Schwake. A minute later, Mohammed took a shot from just outside the box. The ball got past Schwake, rolling wide. It took a slight touch on the way, so OCB was awarded a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found Williams, but it was cleared away.
Barker John made a run into the OCB third of the field in the 71st before being fouled by Williams in a dangerous position. Casas took the set piece and went for goal, but the attempt was right to Mercado. A minute later, Guske’s outlet pass was intercepted, giving Barker John a chance to shoot from the top of the OCB box, but he sent his low shot wide.
On the other end, Rodriguez lifted the ball to the top of the box in the 73rd minute. Guske brought it down and laid it off for Ellis, whose shot rolled wide.
Goldberg made two more changes in the 78th minute as Jackson Platts and Titus Sandy Jr. came into the game for Tori and Thalles.
Moises Veliz played the ball to Mayaka in the 79th minute and the midfielder took a touch to beat Guske before firing from just inside the box. Mercado did well to get down and block it out of play for a corner.
The ensuing set piece was played to the top of the box where Ethan O’Brien lifted it behind the back line where Barrett was making a run. Mercado came off his line, but nobody followed Ekk. Barrett found his teammate and it was an easy tap-in for Ekk to give Huntsville the 1-0 lead.
Goldberg substituted his defensive midfield pairing in the 85th minute, the last two changes of the game for the Young Lions. Hylton and Guske were replaced by Jake Basinet and Dylan Judelson.
It took some desperate defending to keep Carleton from creating enough space for a shot in the 87th minute. Eventually, OCB got the ball off his foot, but it went to Real Gill behind him. The second-half substitute’s shot curled wide of the far post.
Rodriguez dribbled through several players in the 88th minute to reach the top of the Huntsville box. The Orlando City first-team player took a shot that was blocked.
Huntsville quickly went on the counterattack, sending numbers forward. Carleton received a pass and used a couple of stepovers to create enough space for a shot. He was close to doubling the advantage, but the attempt was just wide.
While OCB was searching for an equalizing goal, it was Huntsville creating the opportunities. In the third minute of stoppage time, Mayaka played the ball for Carleton at the top of the OCB box. The attacker’s shot was blocked wide by Mercado.
The visitors kept possession and Veliz dribbled into the right side of the OCB box. The Huntsville players thought they should’ve had a penalty when Veliz went down, but the challenge was shoulder to shoulder and the referee let play continue. Veliz popped right back up with the ball and played it back to Casas, who sent the ball across for Gill to fire on goal, but Mercado blocked that one too.
As the game entered the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, the Young Lions created one last chance. Sandy sent the ball across the box, and Basinet did well to bring it down and lay it off for Ellis. The ball fell to one of the players you’d want on it as an OCB fan, but Ellis sent the attempt over the target.
That was the last chance for either team as Huntsville City won 1-0 to clinch a playoff spot.
Both teams created 14 shots on the night, but Huntsville put more on target (7-4) and passed more accurately (90.5%-86.6%). OCB compiled more corner kicks (3-2) and crosses (4-2), but it was the visitors that scored the decisive goal to claim all three points.
It’s a devastating loss for the Young Lions as results fell their way earlier in the day. Three points would’ve seen them move into the eighth and final playoff spot with two games remaining in the season. Instead, they sit in 10th in the Eastern Conference — three points behind Carolina Core FC — and need help if they hope to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive year.
While the Young Lions play Carolina next weekend, they also sit behind NYCFC II due to their -14 goal difference. As a result, they need to win their upcoming games and hope the New York-based side drops points.
OCB will look to bounce back in a must-win game against Carolina Core Saturday night at Truist Point in High Point, NC.
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