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Orlando City B vs. Charleston Battery: Final Score 2-1 on Lewis Neal’s Winner

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7 years ago

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It looked like yet another blown lead for Orlando City B when Heviel Cordoves tied the game with nine minutes to play, but not this time. Lewis Neal’s 87th-minute goal sent the 1,011 fans home happy as OCB topped the Charleston Battery, 2-1, at Orlando City Stadium.

The young Lions, who got a first-half goal from Pierre Da Silva on a wonderstrike, stopped a two-game skid in which they had been outscored, 4-0. Head Coach Anthony Pulis called it a “very hard-fought victory.”

With three games left, the young Lions (9-8-12, 39 points) moved to seventh in the USL Eastern Conference standings with their win over third-place Charleston (13-8-8, 47 points). The young Lions are one point ahead of eight-place New York Red Bulls II and four points clear of ninth-place Bethlehem Steel, but BHFC has three games in hand.

“The character that the guys showed to come back and nick the winner late was fantastic to see and the guys are obviously delighted in there because it’s a huge three points for us,” Pulis said.

Pulis started three-fourths of the same back line that began the game at Saint Louis FC, with Rafael Ramos slotting in at right back and Zach Ellis-Hayden moving to left back on either side of Conor Donovan and Zach Carroll, and in front of goalkeeper Jake Fenlason. Lewis Neal and Paul Clowes played central midfield behind an attacking midfield line of Pierre Da Silva, Jordan Schweitzer, and Danny Deakin, and Hadji Barry up top.

The entirety of the first half was played from box to box and chances were scarce. The two teams combined for only two shot attempts (both by OCB) and one shot on target in a rather plodding 45 minutes. Perhaps the most exciting moment of the opening 15 minutes was a back pass from O’Brian Woodbine that was hit much too heavy and forced Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel to scramble out of his net to try to keep it in, but to no avail.

Both teams turned the ball over regularly with heavy touches or off line passes, resulting in a sloppy and dull contest. But there was one moment of magic in the opening period.

Da Silva woke things up with a fantastic goal out of nowhere in the 31st minute. He took a pass from Neal, dribbled forward a few yards, and unleashed an absolute laser from 30 yards out that hit the right post and caromed into the net behind Cooper to make it 1-0.

“When I got the ball from Lew, that was the only option I had,” Da Silva said. “So, I just took a touch forward and I saw the goal right in front of me. I just took a chance and it went in.”

Da Silva said he thought his goal against Bethlehem was better but it’s hard to conceive of a better strike for OCB this season.

Shortly after the goal, Pulis had to make his first substitution. Ellis-Hayden got in the way of a cross attempt that hit him square in the face from less than 10 yards away. The ball was moving quickly and Ellis-Hayden was down for several minutes before coming off. OCB played with 10 men for a few minutes before Fernando Timbo came on for Ellis-Hayden in the 41st minute.

Pulis said Ellis-Hayden sustained a mild concussion and will be further evaluated this week.

One last moment of action took place in first-half stoppage when Fenlason made a diving stop of a cross to keep Romario Williams from tapping it in and equalizing. That ignited a break that ended up with Deakin blasting a shot that took a slight deflection and brushed the outside of the right post.

The whistle blew just after that and OCB took its 1-0 lead into the locker room. The young Lions held a 2-1 shots advantage (1-0 on goal), and led in possession (52.4%-47.6%) and passing accuracy (87.1%- 85.6%).

Charleston came out of the break like a house on fire, and the Battery spent the opening minutes of the second half all over OCB’s end of the field. Williams, who had his three-game suspension cut to just one at midweek, was at the heart of the Charleston attack, slipping in behind the back line in the early moments of the second period. Fenlason made a huge sprawling save in the 47th minute to keep it level. A minute later, Williams shook free on the right and fizzed a cross in front of goal but Nicholas Rittmeyer couldn’t get a touch on it to put it in.

“I felt like we had a good shape about us and we defended pretty well, but we were winning it back and we were turning it over on those first two passes, so we were never able to then get out and get into a rhythm,” Pulis said. “That’s the first kind of five or ten minutes. After that, I thought we did that better. We connected those first two passes, which enabled us to get into our attacking shape.”

The next few minutes saw Charleston earn a couple of corners and Clowes and Timbo were forced to make emergency clearances in the box. Williams got in tight in the 52nd minute and Fenlason made another big kick save with his right foot to force a corner.

Shortly thereafter, OCB settled into the game a bit more. Da Silva tried a scissor kick off a Schweitzer cross in the 54th minute from point-blank range but Cooper made a big save. Five minutes later, Ramos curled a free kick headed into the top corner but Cooper got over at the last second to tap it just wide.

Williams kept coming, though. Fenlason came off his line to force the Battery striker wide in the 61st minute and he lost the ball over the end line as the game began to open up. Deakin missed a sitter at the other end a minute later off a Da Silva cross that just needed a touch to go in, but he squibbed it over the net. A minute later, Cordoves subbed on for the Battery for Ataulla Guerra.

The game settled down for a while, but around the 75th minute, OCB began to have trouble connecting, and the Lions kicked the ball anywhere to alleviate the pressure, unable to string passes together and keep possession. That paid off for Charleston in the 81st minute. Cordoves got the ball in the box, spun and put a shot past Fenlason to level the score late.

The Lions had a chance to answer nearly immediately. Second-half sub Michael Cox made a great run through multiple defenders to set himself up with a scoring chance but he rolled his shot attempt from the right side of the box just wide of the far post in the 83rd minute. But a few minutes later, Austin Martz — who came on for Da Silva at 81’ — earned a corner that swung the game back in OCB’s favor.

The service into the area fell at Timbo’s feet and the big defender smashed a shot toward the goal that was blocked by the defense. It fell perfectly to Neal, who swiped at it and hit it right at Cooper. The Charleston keeper made a mess of the shot and it deflected off of him and into the net for the eventual game-winner.

“I was delighted, just being in the right place at the right time,” Neal said. “I managed to get something on it and to be quite honest I thought the keeper had saved it. It was pretty comfortable for him and somehow he managed to make a little bit of a mess of it and put it in the goal for us. But in the end I thought it was what we deserved, to be honest. I thought we worked really hard as a team. We didn’t make it easy for ourselves at times, but I thought we created enough chances and had enough bouts of possession to win the game in my opinion.”

Following Neal’s goal, OCB looked like a completely different team, confidently passing the ball around the pitch and making it difficult for Charleston to regain possession. The Battery didn’t see another scoring chance the rest of the game and OCB held on for all three points.

After the game, Pulis said he was pleased with the first half performance and the response to the Charleston goal but the second half was not up to the standard he expects from his team.

“In the second half we started slowly,” Pulis said. “Jake Fenlason made some really good saves to keep us in it and I don’t think we played with the same intensity and the same tempo as what we did first half for whatever reason.”

After the match, Pulis lauded the play of his center backs, who kept Williams — who entered the game with 15 goals in just 19 games this seeson — off the score sheet.

“We knew on Wednesday (the suspension had) been rescinded, so we were able to prepare,” Pulis said. “I don’t want to get into my thoughts on the decision but for the most part I thought Zach Carroll and Conor Donovan handled him really well. But he’s a very dangerous player and one of the better forwards in the USL. So, we knew we were going to have to defend well tonight to keep him at bay, and we did for the most part.”

“We kept grinding, we kept going, we didn’t let our heads get down too much, and we just kept probing to try to get that winning goal and thankfully it came,” Neal said. “That was a huge three points for us in terms of our chance of making the playoffs.”

OCB is back in action on Sunday, Oct. 1, with a trip to the Richmond Kickers. Game time is 5 p.m. ET.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Signs Bernardo Rhein, Justin Ellis to MLS NEXT Pro Deals

OCB adds two signees ahead of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season.

Published

1 week ago

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February 13, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City B announced this morning that the club has signed two Orlando City Academy players — midfielder Bernardo Rhein and forward Justin Ellis — to MLS NEXT Pro contracts. Rhein signed through 2025 with a club option for 2026, with Ellis’ deal running through 2026. Both players featured Saturday night in Orlando City’s preseason scrimmage against CF Montreal.

“Bernardo and Justin are two more great examples of young players that have shown belief and trust in the development pathway we have set up here at Orlando City,” Orlando City SC Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “By signing with OCB, Justin and Bernardo have shown trust in us, the pathway, and in Head Coach Manuel Goldberg. They both put in the work since their early academy days; took the opportunities that they were given to continue developing their skill sets; and have shown us that they’re ready to take the next step along that pathway, and we’re excited to see how they both continue to progress these next few years.”

The 17-year-old Rhein (known as Bernardo Goncalves in 2024), appeared in six matches with OCB a year ago, coming off the bench each time and playing a total of 33 minutes. The Windermere native and Brazilian national did not record a goal contribution, attempting one shot, which he put on target, and completing 81.8% of his 22 pass attempts. Rhein subbed on for the latter stages of Saturday’s preseason scrimmage against Montreal and looked good, getting himself into scoring position but firing just over the bar in the extra 30-minute sesson.

Ellis, also 17, appeared in 18 matches with OCB in 2024 (three starts), scoring two goals and putting eight of his 13 shots on target. He did not record an assist, but passed well from the forward position, logging three key passes and completing 76.7% of his total pass attempts. The Wellington native traveled with the MLS squad to Mexico for the team’s week-long camp in Cancun. On the international stage, Ellis was called up to the U-18 USMNT in September, scoring two goals in two appearances.

What It Means for OCB

This is positive news for both OCB and the Orlando City Academy. Ellis was a regular contributor last season at a young age, while Rhein got his feet wet with a few appearances at the MLS NEXT Pro level. At just 17, both have shown a lot of potential upside already. Ellis will turn 18 in May, while Rhein won’t reach his 18th birthday until Sept. 21. Both will get a chance to further their development with OCB.

While neither player will be expected to make an impact with the first team in 2025, Duncan McGuire’s injury absence may require Shak Mohammed to spend more time with the first team, meaning Ellis would be in line to get more minutes with the Young Lions in the early part of the season.

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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

3 weeks ago

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January 30, 2025

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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

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

4 weeks 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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