Connect with us

Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Charlotte Independence: Final Score 1-1 as Lions Come from Behind

Published

8 years ago

on

Orlando City B came from behind on Albert Dikwa’s first professional goal to close its three-game home stand with a 1-1 draw against the Charlotte Independence in front of an announced crowd of 1,512 at Orlando City Stadium. Dikwa’s goal leveled after Lewis Hilton had put the Independence (0-1-1, 1 point) up in the second half to close the home stand with 1-1-1 split.

After playing midweek, Head Coach Anthony Pulis made six changes to his starting XI. In place of Lewis Neal, Zach Carroll was honored with the captain’s band. 

“It’s big pride for me [wearing the captain’s band],” Carroll said. “It was the first time in my professional career and as a player you work towards things like this, and it’s about going out there and trying to lead the team.”  

The game started out shaky for the young Lions (1-2-1, 4 points). In the fourth minute, Carroll’s poor clearance led to the first chance of the game. Yann Ekra took control of ball and got into the box before winning a corner. On the ensuing corner, the ball fell to Luke Waechter’s head but his attempt went harmlessly out for an OCB goal kick. 

OCB immediately went on the attack. Richie Laryea took control and tried to spearhead the attack before being taken out hard by Callum Ross. Referee Esteban Rosano gave Ross a talking to and gave a free kick to OCB.

The first chance for Orlando came in the eighth minute. Joe Gallardo got into the box before being covered by two Charlotte defenders. Gallardo was able to dribble around some and win the first corner of the game for OCB. The set piece was taken short and Gallardo ended up with the ball on the corner of the box but Charlotte defended it easily.

The Independence tried to immediately go on the counter but Ryley Kraft broke up the attack with a hard foul, earning the first card of the game in the process. 

The Lions’ first big opportunity came in the 11th minute from Laryea, but his shot went wide of the goal. Four minutes later, the Charlotte defense deflected a pass from the young Lions and the ball fell at Dikwa’s feet. He made a great run into the box before passing ball back to Austin Martz. Martz took the shot but Joel Johnson was there for Charlotte to make the block. 

In the 20th minute, Laryea once again had the ball as he took it across midfield before Ross’s viscous foul stopped him and drew the second card of the game. 

Charlotte nearly went ahead five minutes later. Johnson put a cross in to Casey Townsend, who chested it down and vollied it to Ekra in the box. Ekra’s attempt was poor though, and the header did not threaten Earl Edwards, Jr.

The game was back and forth for the remainder of the first half, with both teams getting chances but unable to find that last touch to break the deadlock. Right before halftime came the closest moment to breaking the tie. Zach Ellis-Hayden put the ball into the box, finding Kraft. The midfielder took the shot on the volley, which was destined for goal, if not for Henry Kalungi. Kalungi was lucky though, as his header nearly found the back of his own net, just narrowly missing.

The game was deadlocked at half. Zero goals, possession nearly even, Charlotte with one more shot than OCB, and one yellow card each. Neither team played particularly well, but both the Lions and Independence improved in the second forty-five minutes.

“I thought it was a tale of two halves to be honest,” Pulis said after the match. “I thought the first half we started sluggish, our press was a little bit too disorganized for my liking, a little bit too far off them, and in possession I don’t think we were as crisp and our passing was as fluid as we’d want it to be. But second half we upped it. We were crisper, we were sharper, we had a little bit more purpose to our play.” 

To try to change it up, Charlotte made the first substitution of the game to start the second half, as Hilton came on for Ross.

The substitution could not have gone better for the Independence, as Hilton scored the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute. Alex Martinez played a perfect through ball to the Englishman, who powered it into the top of the net from close range.

After going a goal down, the young Lions immediately picked themselves up and looked like a completely different team. Laryea and Dikwa had multiple chances up top, but it was not until the 69th minute that OCB found the equalizer. Leo Pereira provided a great through ball to Scott Thomsen down the left hand side. Thomsen then put the ball on a platter for Dikwa, who touched the ball into the far corner.

Four minutes later, Laryea almost found the game winner. After Edwards made a finger-tip save on a point-blank shot attempt to keep OCB level, he started the counter attack, which led to Laryea all alone up top, with only the keeper to beat. Laryea hesitated for just a moment, but it was long enough for Cody Mizell to come off his line. Laryea may have had a chance to round Mizell but he took the shot early and the Independence goalkeeper made a game-saving stop.

“I was able to get by the two defenders, and I rushed the shot,” Laryea said. “I should have taken it around him but I didn’t realize how much time I had.”

Moussa Sane got his first professional minutes, coming in for Martz in the 72nd minute. Although he got some important minutes, he ultimately did not create much of an impact on the match.

It looked like Charlotte would scrap out a victory in the dying minutes as OCB gave up a bad foul in its own end. The free kick came to no harm, however, as the cross was headed right at Edwards, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

“All-in-all a point it’s probably a fair result,” said Pulis. “If you look at the chances, Richie Laryea’s chance [in the 73rd minute] was a massive chance that you could probably go on and win it, but then they had two or three and Earl [Edwards] kept us in the game again.” 

The referee had much work to do tonight, as he gave seven yellow cards, five of which came to the home side. Both Laryea and Pulis were frustrated by the officiating after the game. Laryea laughed when asked about it saying, “I don’t want to comment on it.” 

“Some of [the cards] were a little harsh, some of them probably deserved it,” Pulis added. 

The young Lions are back in action again on Friday when they travel north to take on defending champion New York Red Bulls II at 7 p.m.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Season

Find out where, when, and who the Young Lions of OCB will play in 2026.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

January 21, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B

The 2026 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was released today, telling us where, when, and who Orlando City B will play in the team’s fifth year in the league. The addition of Connecticut United FC sees the league expand to 30 teams, with 27 MLS reserve sides and three independent clubs.

The schedule remains at 28 games, with Orlando City B playing 14 at home and 14 away. OCB’s home games will once again take place at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.

OCB will start the 2026 season with a pair of home games, facing Huntsville City FC on Monday, March 2, and Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, March 8. The first away game of the season is slated for Saturday, March 14, when the Young Lions face Carolina Core FC in High Point, NC.

The Young Lions will also end the upcoming season with a two-game homestand. They face Toronto FC II on Sunday, Sept. 13, and Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, Sept. 20. All Decision Day games in the Eastern Conference will start at 2 p.m., and the Western Conference game times have yet to be announced.

The Young Lions will compete in the 16-team Eastern Conference as part of the Southeast Division. Connecticut joins the Northeast Division, and Chicago moves to the Southeast Division. As a result, OCB’s division will consist of Atlanta, Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, Chicago, Crown Legacy FC, Huntsville City FC, and Inter Miami II.

Once again, teams will only face those from their own conference, and OCB will play each team in its division three times. The Young Lions will face Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Chicago once at home and twice away. They’ll play Carolina, Crown Legacy, Huntsville, and Miami twice at home and once away.

The longest homestand this year is only two games, scheduled to happen four times, including the opening and closing matches of the season. OCB will spend the majority of July and August on the road with two three-game road trips, separated by an Aug. 19 home game against Huntsville City. 

Unlike MLS and the NWSL, MLS NEXT Pro will play through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That spreads the games out a little more evenly than the other leagues. The busiest month is August, when OCB will play six games. The Young Lions are scheduled to play four games in March, May, June, and July, while only playing three times each in April and September.

Unsurprisingly, the most common day of the week the Young Lions will play is Sunday (18 times). They’ll play six times on Friday, twice on Wednesday, and once each on Monday and Friday. The most common kickoff time is 7 p.m. The Young Lions will play 20 games at that time, twice each at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and once at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.

OCB is scheduled to play six times on the same day as either Orlando City or the Pride. On March 14, the Young Lions travel to Carolina at 3 p.m. while the senior Lions host CF Montreal at 7:30 p.m. They host Miami at 7 p.m. on May 24 — the same time the Pride face San Diego Wave FC in California. On July 18, OCB will face Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m. in Tennessee while the Pride play in Utah at 8:45 p.m. The Young Lions face Connecticut away at 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 while City plays the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. On Aug. 19, OCB hosts Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m., while Orlando City hosts Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Finally, on Aug. 22, the Young Lions will face Atlanta away at 7 p.m. while City hosts Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m.

Orlando City B’s 2026 Schedule

  • Monday, March 2 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 8 — vs Chicago Fire FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 14 — at Carolina Core FC, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 22 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 11 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 19 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 26 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 3 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 10 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17 — at New England Revolution II, 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 24 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 7 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 21 — vs Philadelphia Union II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 28 — vs Columbus Crew 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 5 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 12 — at FC Cincinnati 2, 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 18 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 26 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 1 — at Connecticut United FC, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 12 — at New York City FC II, 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 16 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 19 — vs Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 22 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 30 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 4 — at Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 13 — vs Toronto FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 20 — vs Atlanta United 2, 2 p.m.
Continue Reading

Orlando City

Four OCB Players Who Could Make MLS Debuts In 2026

Who are the most likely OCB players to make their first team-debuts during the 2026 season?

Published

1 month ago

on

January 5, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City has invested significantly in youth development since Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira arrived prior to the 2019 season. After signing just four players in the first five years after the club’s expansion announcement, Orlando City has signed 14 academy products to first-team deals in the last seven years.

While Muzzi departed the club this off-season, Moreira took over the role, so the emphasis developing homegrown talent is unlikely to change.

This past season alone, the club saw Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi make their first-team debuts. Additionally, Tahir Reid-Brown, despite not getting on the field, was on the senior side’s bench for four games.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most likely OCB players to join the first team for the 2026 season.

Tahir Reid-Brown, 19, Defender

The most likely player to make his first team debut in 2026 is 19-year-old fullback Reid-Brown. He’s already on an MLS contract and plays left back, a position currently of need for the Lions. The defender has been with the Young Lions for the last four years, making 56 appearances with 36 starts.

Reid-Brown initially played opposite Alex Freeman on the OCB back line before Freeman made the jump to the MLS squad and was replaced by Taifi, who also ended the 2025 campaign with the first team. 

Adding to the likelihood that Reid-Brown might see playing time is the uncertainty at left back. Adrian Marin is the current projected starting left back, but the Spaniard was less than impressive in his first season with Orlando City. Unless the club signs more depth at that position before the season begins, you can exepct to see Reid-Brown get some MLS playing time before long.

Jackson Platts, 18, Defender

Another player who could see his first team debut in 2026 is center back Jackson Platts. The 18-year-old was a regular OCB starter alongside Thomas Williams in 2024 before being relegated to the bench in 2025. However, the starter alongside Williams last season was Hayden Sargis, who didn’t come from the academy and is currently out of contract.

Like all defensive positions, the Lions have a lack of depth that could provide opportunities for young players. The only center backs are Robin Jansson and David Brekalo, forcing the need for a backup. The club also traded Williams, opening more room.

Platts is also a versatile option. While his natural position is center back, he’s also spent time as an outside back and in the midfield. That versatility could result in him seeing MLS action this year.

Justin Hylton, 18, Forward

The OCB player that took the biggest leap in 2025 was unquestionably Justin Hylton. The teenager was a star for the U-17 team before making his professional debut for the Young Lions. Originally a backup, he soon became a focal point of the attack and created problems for opposing defenses.

Hylton made his OCB debut on June 1 and didn’t start until Aug. 23. But he was in the starting lineup for the final six games of the season and was a crucial part of the team’s late successes. He ended the season with 11 appearances, starting six games, and recording two assists.

The only issue for Hylton is that his position is currently not the most in need. Whether the club sees him up top or in the attacking midfield, there are players in front of him. However, we could see him make his debut in an Open Cup or Leagues Cup game, if not as a late substitute in the regular season.

Dylan Judelson, 17, Midfielder

Judelson is another player who joined OCB from the academy in 2025. He started the season on an academy contract but signed to the club’s second team on Aug. 5. The defensive midfielder was a key part of the team from day one, starting the first four games of the season.

In all, Judelson made 20 appearances in 2025 with nine starts. He was in and out of the lineup with Guske, Riyon Tori, and Jhon Solis also seeing time in the role. But the Canadian youth international was very solid when on the field.

Although the departure of Cesar Araujo works in Judelson’s favor, he’s still behind veterans Eduard Atuesta, Braian Ojeda, and Wilder Cartagena, as well as Guske and MLS U22 Initiative signing Luis Otavio, while Joran Gerbet is also under contract but will miss the first part of the season recovering from a knee injury.

It’s a crowded field in front of Judelson in his position group, meaning he’ll have the biggest uphill climb of the players mentioned in this column to make his first-team debut. However, we could see the teenager with the first team for the first time this year if his development continues and there are injuries and suspensions ahead of him on the depth chart.

After years of the academy failing to produce talent for the first team, Orlando City has become one of the league’s standard bearers. That’s likely to continue this season, and it might be the start of a successful professional career at the senior level for these young players.

Continue Reading

Orlando City B

Orlando City Exercises Contract Option on OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg

Manuel Goldberg is back to lead the Young Lions of OCB in 2026 after the club exercised his contract option.

Published

3 months ago

on

November 19, 2025

By

Image of OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg holding up an OCB scarf.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City announced today that the club has exercised the option on Orlando City B Head Coach Manuel Goldberg’s contract, keeping him in purple through 2026. The Young Lions’ boss enters his third season in the position in 2026 and his fifth overall with the team.

“Since taking over the role as head coach of OCB, Manu has done a tremendous job connecting with our MLS NEXT Pro players, developing their skillsets and preparing them for opportunities with the first team and beyond,” Orlando City General Manager & Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “His deep understanding of our player pathway and internal processes has been invaluable. The continuity Manu provides is critical for the career development of both our players and staff.”

Goldberg initially joined the club in 2022 as an assistant to Martin Perelman. When Perelman was promoted to first-team assistant, Orlando City announced Goldberg as his successor on March 11, 2024. At 30 years old, Goldberg became the youngest head coach in the short history of MLS NEXT Pro.

In his first season in the position, Goldberg led his team to a record of 11-9-9 (28 points), finishing fifth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The Young Lions took fourth-seeded Chicago Fire FC II to penalties in the first round of the playoffs away from home, where they fell 5-4 to end their season.

The 2025 campaign was particularly disappointing, as the Young Lions failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2022. They finished the year with 28 points (9-13-6) and tumbled to 11th in the Eastern Conference after a promising start.

Overall, Goldberg has a record of 18-21-16 in 55 games leading the Young Lions. His draw in Chicago in 2024 (and subsequent penalty shootout loss) was his only playoff appearance. Meanwhile, his teams have been 9-7 in penalty shootouts over the past two seasons.

However, Goldberg has been successful in his primary objective of producing players for the first team. Since becoming head coach of OCB, three players — Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi — have signed Homegrown Player contracts, while Justin Ellis is seemingly on the brink of signing one as well. He’s also coached backup goalkeeper Javier Otero and, most notably, starting right back Alex Freeman, helping them develop into first-team contributors.

Goldberg began his coaching career at Israeli side Hapoel Katamon in 2015 following a three-year playing career in the country. He then joined Club Nautico Hacoaj in Buenos Aires, Argentina as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2019 before becoming a competitive program coach at Barça Academy PRO Miami. After two years in South Florida, he was hired by Orlando City as Perelman’s assistant with OCB.

Continue Reading

Trending