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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati: Final Score 2-0 as Young Lions Keep Third Straight Clean Sheet

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8 years ago

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Orlando City B was able to take advantage of opportunities and beat FC Cincinnati, 2-0 at Nippert Stadium in front of an announced attendance of 19,310. It was the third consecutive clean sheet for OCB (3-3-3, 12 points), which is unbeaten in its last four games (2-0-2) and has climbed to fifth in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

The first minute of the match was an indicator of what we were in for as Richie Laryea was whistled for a foul. There were a total of 36 fouls in the match, 21 by FC Cincinnati (2-4-3, 9 points).

Early in the match there wasn’t a flow because the referee stoppages broke up the action. But whenever Pierre Da Silva touched the ball he was able to maneuver through people and keep possession.

OCB had opportunities in the first half, but didn’t take advantage of them. In fairness, the 5 p.m. start time may have affected the game because of shadows. Players would get down the sides, but the crosses were nowhere close to target.

The referee was the center of the action in the first half. He handed out four yellow cards, three to FC Cincinnati — much to the dismay of the home fans.

The action picked up in the second half. Cincinnati came out putting the pressure on OCB. Seb Hines unnecessarily conceded a corner in the 51st minute, but it didn’t lead to any real danger. There was never any legitimate danger for Earl Edwards Jr. throughout the match. In the 53rd minute he made a save from distance, which may have been his most difficult save of the day.

Even though Cincinnati spent the majority of the second half on the OCB side of the field, the hosts had trouble connecting on passes in the box to get good shots off. The game changed in the 75th minute when OCB broke away and Da Silva was able to draw a penalty. He went on to take the penalty and put it in the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

After the goal, the game opened up. Of course, Cincinnati was chasing a goal, and that opened up options for OCB. OCB should’ve had a second goal in the 85th minute, but over-passed, and Cincinnati’s goalkeeper ended up making two great saves to deny OCB. But Cincinnati couldn’t hold away the onslaught for long with Richie Laryea scoring in stoppage time.

It was a nice road win for OCB in a hostile environment. It was promising that the young Lions finished strong because it looked like they were going to let an opportunity slip away.

Orlando City B will be out of action for another two weeks. The team will be back home on May 27 to take on Charlotte.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Chicago Fire FC II: Final Score 5-1 as Chicago Scores Five Unanswered

Chicago Fire II responded to OCB’s opening goal with five unanswered in a dominating win.

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3 days ago

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May 2, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (8-3-4, 11 points) traveled north to take on Chicago Fire FC II (7-3-4, 9 points) tonight at Flames Field on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Shak Mohammed gave the Young Lions the first-half lead, but it was all downhill after that. Goals by Peter Soudan and Jason Shokalook made it 2-1 at halftime. The hosts kept their foot on the gas with second-half goals by Jean Diouf, Justin Reynolds, and Dean Boltz in a 5-1 thumping.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes from the team that fell 4-2 to New York Red Bulls II Sunday night. Jhon Solis was suspended for yellow card accumulation after five bookings in the first seven games. It’s the first time Solis has been out of the starting lineup this year and the second time since joining OCB in 2023, breaking a streak of 39 straight starts. Javier Otero was with the first team, so he didn’t play either. They were replaced by Juan Quevedo and Carlos Mercado.

The back line in front of Mercado in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Jackson Platts, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Colin Guske and Riyon Tori were the defensive midfielders behind Quevedo, Justin Ellis, and Gustavo Caraballo with Mohammed up top.

The hosts dominated this game from the outset, creating several chances in the opening minutes. Mohammed had a couple of wasted opportunities before giving his team the lead just before the half-hour mark. That was the last good thing from OCB, as the game quickly went downhill.

The story of this one was missed chances, poor defending, and poor goalkeeping. Mohammed could’ve had four first-half goals, including a poor penalty attempt. The Young Lions failed to get back on Shokalook’s second-half goal, and Mercado had a ball bounce off his chest, giving Chicago an easy fifth.

Fire II created the first chance of the game in the sixth minute when a shot from the top left corner of the box was blocked out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece by Claudio Cassano found the head of Diego Konincks, but his header was wide.

A minute later, Mohammed was sent behind the Fire II back line. It looked like the OCB forward would have a breakaway, but Diouf did well to catch up with the first-team attacker. The defender’s tackle in the box had to be perfect and it was, knocking the ball away.

Cassano made a long run into the OCB box in the eighth minute. He twisted and turned Caraballo but also caused himself to fall. As a result, his shot hit the outside of the net.

Soudan made a good run to the end line in the 10th minute and attempted to cross, but Quevedo got in front, blocking it out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found the head of Diouf in the box, and the center back tried to redirect it on goal but sent it over the crossbar.

The Young Lions finally got their first shot in the 12th minute when Mohammed received a pass near the top right corner of the Chicago box. The forward’s second touch was shot, but a defender got in front to block the attempt.

Fire II won another corner kick in the 18th minute when Soudan was sent towards the end line. Quevedo again got back to block the cross for a Chicago corner kick. This time, it didn’t find a red target, and the Young Lions were able to clear.

In the 21st minute, Vitaliy Hlyut found enough space for a shot inside the OCB box. He had a clear chance from about 10 yards out, but Mercado did well to get down and block the attempt.

Caraballo turned the ball over to Charles Nagle in the 22nd minute. OCB wanted a foul as Nagle pushed Caraballo down, but the referee allowed play to continue. Nagle took a shot from outside the box, sending it over the crossbar.

Mohammed had his second chance of the game in the 24th minute from a turnover in the Chicago third of the field. He dribbled into the box to the right of goal and had enough space for a shot but hit the outside of the net.

It looked like Ellis might have a chance in the 28th minute after a give-and-go with Taifi. However, the ball was knocked off his foot. Fortunately, it went directly to Caraballo, who was able to get a shot off. But his attempt was blocked.

Despite spending most of the first half-hour defending, OCB took the lead in the 29th minute. Ellis received a pass across midfield from Williams and played a beautiful ball with the outside of his right foot, sending Mohammed behind the back line. The forward curled a shot around Patrick Los to give OCB a surprising 1-0 lead.

Chicago nearly found an equalizer in the 32nd minute when Shokalook found Hlyut at the top of the six-yard box. He put his shot on target, but Mercado dove to his right, tipping it wide. Cassano followed up and shot from a tight angle, but Mercado was there again to make the save.

A minute later, Cassano sent an excellent ball to the far post where Boso was making a run. The forward tried to volley the ball on goal, sending it wide.

Chicago found the equalizer in the 37th minute with an odd goal. Soudan sent a ball into the box for Shokalook with Williams on his back, and the ball bounced right through both players. Mercado thought the ball would get redirected, so he was caught leaning the wrong way as the ball bounced off the inside of the far post to even the game at 1-1.

OCB won a corner kick in the 41st minute. Caraballo’s set piece was let go by Ellis for Taifi right behind him. The right back’s first touch was a shot, but it was blocked by Konincks.

Fire II immediately broke the other way. Cassano took possession and played it forward for Konincks. Quevedo got there first and tried to play it back to Mercado, but fell as he hit the ball. Konincks easily took possession and was in on goal. It looked like the Chicago captain would take it himself, but he played it square to Shokalook, who passed it in to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

OCB had a golden chance to equalize just before halftime when Chicago was unable to clear a corner kick into the box. It bounced around before Mohammed took possession. Reynolds reached his foot out, catching Mohammed, who went down. Referee Luis Arroyo pointed to the spot, awarding the Young Lions a penalty.

Mohammed stepped up to take the kick himself. Los guessed correctly, diving to his right. It was a poor penalty by the OCB forward, allowing the Chicago goalkeeper to block it away.

That was the final chance for either team as OCB headed into the break down 2-1. Chicago ended the first half with the advantage in shots (15-7), shots on target (5-2), corner kicks (5-2), and passing accuracy (89%-88.5%). Both teams had one cross in the first 45 minutes.

Goldberg made one change at the break as Dylan Judelson came into the game for Guske.

OCB created the first chance of the second half in the 48th minute when Caraballo dribbled into the Chicago third of the field and found Quevedo on the left. The midfielder’s third touch was a shot from the top corner of the box, but he sent it well off target.

Chicago nearly extended its lead in the 60th minute when Borso found Shokalook in the box. The attacker turned his defender and fired on goal, but Mercado did well to tip it over the crossbar.

The set piece went long but was sent back in by Soudan. It looked like Mercado would collect it, but Borso got in front. Diouf was the first one to the free ball, slamming it past Mercado to give the hosts a 3-1 lead.

It didn’t take the hosts long to extend their lead further, doing so in the 65th minute. Hlyut made a long run into the OCB half. He laid it off for Cassano, who sent it back across the field for Borso. The forward used some good footwork to lose Williams, sending the ball to the opposite post, where Reynolds was making a run. It was an easy header for Reynolds to make it 4-1.

Chicago was feeling it after the fourth goal, continuing to fire on Mercado. In the 68th minute, Hlyut shot from the top of the OCB box, but it was right at the OCB shot-stopper.

In the 72nd minute, Taifi made a run towards the end line before playing the ball back to the top of the box. Ellis took a shot with his first touch, but it was right at Los.

A minute later, Caraballo made his way to the end line and attempted a cross, but Reynolds knocked it out for a corner kick. Quevedo’s set piece found Ellis, who attempted to volley it on goal, but it was blocked out of play. The second corner kick was punched away by Los, ending the attack.

Mohammed laid the ball off for Quevedo in the 75th minute and the midfielder shot, but it was blocked. The ball went to Mohammed, who went down after some contact. The OCB players appealed for a penalty, but Arroyo waved play on.

Goldberg made his second change of the night in the 77th minute as Noham Abdellaoui came on for Quevedo.

Soudan sent a dangerous cross into the OCB box in the 78th minute. A pair of Fire II players were making runs into the six, but Mercado did well to jump off his line and push the ball away.

Goldberg made two more changes in the 82nd minute. Hayden Sargis and Diego Pareja came into the game for Williams and Caraballo.

Chicago scored a fifth goal in the 85th minute when Soudan sent a ball towards goal from outside the box. It should’ve been an easy save for Mercado, but the ball bounced off his hands and chest. Boltz was the first one to reach the free ball, putting it in to give his team a 5-1 lead.

OCB tried to respond on the other end as Mohammed was played behind the back line in the Chicago box. The forward tried to put the ball past Los, but sent the attempt over the top instead.

Taifi had a chance to get one back for OCB in the 89th minute when he received the ball on the left side of the box. The right back’s second touch was a shot on target, but Los did well to get down and make the stop.

With the result out of doubt, Arroyo only added one minute to the second half. Neither team did anything in added time and Chicago ended the game with a 5-1 win.

Chicago dominated this game in every possible way. They had more shots (24-18), shots on target (12-4), crosses (6-2), and corner kicks (10-4), and better passing accuracy (89.3%-88.9%).

The loss sees OCB settle into fifth place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The Young Lions are only two points out of second but are only one of two teams to play eight games so far this season. Most of the teams around them have two games in hand.

The Young Lions have an extended break to shake this one off. They’ll return to action on May 17 when they host Inter Miami II in Kissimmee.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New York Red Bulls II: Final Score 4-2 as OCB Drops First Home Game of 2025

OCB’s slow start was critical in the team’s 4-2 loss to New York Red Bulls II.

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1 week ago

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April 27, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (7-3-3, 11 points) lost at home for the first time this season, falling 4-2 to New York Red Bulls II (6-4-1, 13 points) at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. The visitors were by far the better first-half team. Tanner Rosborough gave them the lead in the 19th minute and Aiden Jarvis made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. Jhon Solis cut the deficit in half in the 39th minute, before Nehuen Benedetti made it 3-1 at halftime. Justin Ellis and Ibrahim Kasule traded goals in the second half, resulting in the 4-2 final score.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made four changes to the team that lost 3-2 to Inter Miami II in Bradenton on April 15. Several players re-entered the starting lineup after missing the Miami game as they were busy winning the Generation Adidas Cup with the Orlando City U-18 team. Javier Otero, Jackson Platts, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Ellis started this game in place of Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Hayden Sargis, Juan Quevedo, and Dyson Clapier.

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

The first half doomed OCB in this game. Red Bulls II dominated the first 45 minutes from the start, creating chance after chance while the Young Lions struggled with the visitors’ high press. OCB got back into the game with Ellis’ goal and had several good chances to equalize, but ultimately failed to find a third. Kasule’s penalty in second-half stoppage time put the game away.

The first decent chance of the game came in the third minute when Caraballo took possession and quickly gave it up in his own third of the field. Red Bulls II worked the ball out left where Matthew Dos Santos sent a low cross into the box. Multiple teammates were making runs, but the Young Lions were able to clear it away.

In the eighth minute, Steven Sserwadda sent a low cross into the box from the right. Taifi and Williams got sucked towards the ball, leaving Rafael Mosquera on his own. Fortunately, Otero came off his line to grab the ball before it reached Mosquera .

In the 12th minute, a Mohammed pass for Solis was intercepted by Red Bulls II. Mosquera beat Platts to the end line and sent a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box. He had a couple of teammates making runs, but it was cleared away and the Young Lions again narrowly avoided conceding the game’s first goal.

OCB finally got its first chance in the 13th minute when Mohammed made a long run before cutting inside and shooting from outside the box. However, he wasn’t able to get over the ball, sending it well over the goal.

The visitors took a deserved lead in the 19th minute. Kasule received a ball near the top of the box and found Rosborough making a run. The midfielder played his pass between Reid-Brown and Williams, putting Rosborough in on goal. The attacker slipped it past Otero to give Red Bulls II a 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for New York to strike again, doubling its lead in the 23rd minute. Jarvis received a short pass back and fired from long range. Otero appeared to have the shot covered, but it took a deflection on the way to the goal, changing directions and going past the OCB goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Red Bulls II nearly had a chance for a third in the 24th minute when Kasule tried to play Mosquera through. It looked like Mosquera had a step on Reid-Brown, but the left back was able to get on the inside of the attacker and guide it to Otero.

In the 25th minute, Caraballo played a ball over the top for Ellis. The striker controlled it well, but a high bounce gave the defenders time to get back. Ellis didn’t end up getting a shot off and Red Bulls II cleared the danger without forcing goalkeeper Aidan Stokes to move.

Ellis played Taifi down the middle of the field and towards the top of the New York box in the 38th minute, but the right back was pulled down by Dos Santos, resulting in a yellow card for the Red Bulls II midfielder.

Solis and Taifi stood over the ball, with Solis taking the set piece. The midfielder went for goal, sending the shot beyond the outstretched dive of Stokes to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Young Lions continued to push in an attempt to equalize before halftime, but it was the visitors that scored the goal. Benedetti took a shot from outside the box that was blocked by Williams. Unfortunately, the ball went right back to Benedetti, who dribbled past Platts and sent a low, hard shot past Otero to give his team a 3-1 lead.

The last chance of the half came in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Brooklyn Schwarz shot from the top corner of the OCB box. It sailed well high and wide of the target and the half ended with Red Bulls II leading 3-1.

It was a dominant half by the visitors. At the break, Red Bulls II had more possession (54.2%-45.8%), shots (10-2), shots on target (4-1), crosses (2-0), and corner kicks (3-0). The only advantage OCB had was its passing accuracy (85.1%-84.7%), but most of it was in non-threatening areas.

Red Bulls II almost got the second half off to the best possible start. Inside the first minute, Rosborough sent Mosquera behind the OCB back line. As he entered the box, Mosquera dribbled the ball off his heel. However, he created enough space for a shot, sending the attempt into the outside of the net.

The Young Lions responded quickly on the other end, creating their first chance of the second half. Ellis made a good run into the box from the left, finding Taifi on the far side. The right back’s first touch was a shot that traveled wide of the far post.

A curling ball into the box in the 49th minute was brought down by Kasule making a run to the far post. The midfielder got a shot off inside the six, but Williams was there to block it.

Ellis played a wonderful ball forward for Mohammed in the 52nd minute. The forward was in on goal as Stokes came off his line. He attempted to send a low shot around the goalkeeper, but Stokes did well to get his foot to the ball, keeping the game at 3-1.

It looked like Red Bulls II would make it four a few seconds later when Benedetti played the ball forward for Rosborough, who got behind Reid-Brown. Otero made a good- one-handed save on the attacker, but it went right back to him. Rosborough took another shot and this was blocked on the line by Platts. This time the ball went to Mosquera, who sent his shot off the crossbar. Somehow, OCB was able to escape without giving up a goal.

OCB got a goal back in the 61st minute when Stokes received a pass back. Taifi put pressure on the goalkeeper, resulting in a giveaway to Ellis with no defenders back. It was an easy finish by Ellis, putting it around Stokes and making it a 3-2 game.

In the 65th minute, Juan Gutierrez and Taifi collided on a 50-50 header. The referee showed Gutierrez a yellow for the foul near the top of the New York box as both players stayed down. Once they got up, OCB had a great chance from a similar distance where Solis scored earlier in the game.

Solis’ set piece was into the wall, but the ball went straight to Mohammed. The forward sent a second attempt towards the corner, hitting the post.

A minute later, Ellis found Platts making a run into the box and behind the Red Bulls II back line. The center back got a shot off, but Stokes did well to come out and block the attempt out of play for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece by Caraballo was heeded by Platts to the post, where Williams was all alone. All the center back had to do was tap it in for the equalizer, but he somehow managed to fail to get enough contact on the ball and the Young Lions remained down a goal.

OCB had a nearly disastrous miscommunication in the 72nd minute, when Mohammed took possession of the ball near the top of the OCB box. He played it between Williams, Platts, and Otero, with all three thinking one of the others was going to take it. Meanwhile, an attacker ran in to get a shot on goal, but Platts cleared it away first.

In the 74th minute, Benedetti played Kasule near the top of the OCB box and the midfielder did well to beat his defender, sending Benedetti forward. The attacker was pressured by Reid-Brown, resulting in the shot going high and wide of the near post.

Williams got beat by Andy Rojas in the 80th minute, giving Red Bulls II a chance in the OCB third. Before the set piece could be taken, OCB made two changes. Clapier and Dylan Judelson came on for Caraballo and Guske. Benedetti went for goal on the ensuing free kick, sending the attempt off target.

Red Bulls II had a chance in the 89th minute when Kasule received a pass near the top of the six-yard box. He tried to turn and put a shot on goal, but Clapier cleared it before Kasule could get his foot to the ball.

Rojas split a pair of defenders in the 90th minute, making his way into the box. Nobody else closed him down, so the second-half substitute took a shot at goal. However, he was unable to get over the ball, sending it high and wide of the target.

Red Bulls II put the game away in stoppage time when Platts committed a foul in the box. Williams had a chance to clear the ball, but Kasule tapped it around the center back before playing Rojas on the far side. Platts was beaten and tripped Rojas as he got in on goal. Referee Alexandra Billeter immediately pointed to the spot, awarding the visitors a penalty.

Kasule stepped up to take the spot kick, sending Otero the wrong way to extend the lead and put the game away.

As the game entered the eight minute of stoppage time, Williams sent a long ball into the box for Clapier. The ball was behind the substitute, who tried to turn and attempt a bicycle kick. He made contact with the ball, but sent it wide. That was the last chance for either team as the Young Lions fell 4-2.

At full time, Red Bulls II had more shots (21-13), shots on target (8-4), and crosses (4-3). OCB had better passing accuracy (85.8%-82.8%) and both teams ended the game with four corner kicks.

“I think it was clear,” Goldberg said about the game. “We speculated the first half and then had to push the second half with a negative result and all this stuff.”

The team was on the back foot for most of the first half but was much better in the second. After being outshot 10-2 in the first 45 minutes, the Young Lions matched New York with 11 shots in the second period of play.

“That’s what we expected,” Goldberg said about his team’s second-half attack. “But since the beginning. Not in the second half.”

The loss is OCB’s first at Osceola County Stadium this season, having gone 2-0-1 in the first three home games. Since the Young Lions won the penalty shootout against Atlanta on March 16, they had taken eight of a possible nine points at home prior to tonight’s game.

The loss sees the Young Lions drop to fifth in the Eastern Conference. They’re only two points behind Red Bulls II, Huntsville City FC, and New England Revolution II for second but have played one more game.

It’ll be a short week for the Young Lions as they head out on the road next weekend with the first team. They’ll face Chicago Fire FC II on Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL.

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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.

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3 weeks 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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