Orlando City B at Bethlehem Steel FC: Match Preview and How to Watch

Orlando City B (1-3-2, 5 points) ends its road trip in Bethlehem, PA, as the young Lions take on Bethlehem Steel FC (1-2-0, 3 points) in Goodman Stadium. Both Orlando and Bethlehem are below playoff contention, but a win for either team could potentially put the winner in the top eight of the Eastern Conference.

OCB is coming off a dramatic 1-1 draw in Harrisburg, where Zach Carroll was the hero with a stoppage time goal. OCB looked the better team at times and dominated possession throughout, but the biggest news from Tuesday is the injury to PC. The 22-year-old fullback signed this season with Orlando City, but after going down with a lower back injury, the Brazilian will likely miss some time.

Bethlehem’s last game was also against Harrisburg City, and the story was much of the same. The game was tied 2-2 and looked to be ending in a draw before a stoppage-time goal ended the deadlock. This time the Islanders were on the winning side of it, though. This marked the second loss of the season for the Steel, but the young Lions will need to be strong defensively if they will come out Pennsylvania with any points.

The Philadelphia Union affiliate has scored two goals in each of its first three games, with the six goals coming from four different players. Each of the Steel’s goals have come from right-footed shots inside the 18-yard box, including two penalty kicks. With not much variety in where the goals are coming from, expect OCB to pack the middle of the field and force the opposition out wide.

The young Lions will have to do better defensively against a team that has shown scoring prowess. OCB goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. is third in the USL in saves (17), so he’s facing too many shots in this young season.

The last time that these two teams met came on the last day of the 2016 USL season. OCB had lost five straight games and needed a win to make the playoffs, but the Steel dominated early on and it was not looking likely that the Lions would make the top eight. Goals from Jonny Mendoza and Lewis Neal were the difference, though, and OCB was able to hold on for a 2-0 win to take the final playoff spot. The young Lions also drew at home with Bethlehem, 2-2, on May 7, finishing their inaugural year with a 1-0-1 mark against the Steel.

Most Recent Lineups

Orlando City B (April 18 at Harrisburg City Islanders): Earl Edwards, Jr.; Youmeni Jules, Zach Carroll, Leo Pereira, PC; Moussa Sane, Paul Clowes, Tony Rocha, Pierre Da Silva; Richie Laryea, Hadji Barry.

Bethlehem Steel (April 15 at Harrisburg City Islanders): Jake McGuire; Giliano Wijnaldum, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Aaron Jones; Hugh Roberts, Derrick Jones; Santi Moar, Adam Najem, Marcus Epps; Seku Conneh.

How to Watch

The 4 p.m. ET kickoff can be streamed from the official USL Youtube page or at orlandocitysc.com/live. For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along at @TheManeLand on Twitter.

We’ll bring you the action and a full match recap after the game concludes.