Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies: Final Score 2-0 As OCB Is Eliminated From Playoff Contention
With the playoffs on the line, Orlando City B (10-10-12, 42 points) needed to get a win to have a chance to make the playoffs. Early on it looked like the young Lions would be able to stay alive another day, but the Tampa Bay Rowdies (14-7-11, 53 points) came out victorious on a pair of second-half goals. OCB dropped its season finale, 2-0, in front of 1,185 fans in Orlando City Stadium.
“Tonight, we really struggled to get any rhythm going forward in attack,” said Lewis Neal. “I hate to say it, but we didn’t deserve to win tonight. That’s my opinion with the poor performance that we put in tonight.”
Pulis, on the other hand, was visibly upset after the match and said from the moment that he sat down that he does not want to talk about tonight’s game. Instead, Pulis focused on the season as a whole.
After OCB’s 6-5 loss a week ago, Head Coach Anthony Pulis made four changes. Earl Edwards Jr. and Richie Laryea both were not in the starting XI, with Laryea not in the 18 at all. Expect to see them both in the 18 for Orlando’s City’s final home game this Sunday. PC also was not part of the 18, and instead Kevin Alston was in at left back. Hadji Barry and Michael Cox combined for a goal and an assist on Saturday, and led the attack tonight again.
Needing the three points, the young Lions came out of the gates flying. Barry had the ball in the box in the second minute, juked the first defender, looked to shoot, but the second defender was there to stop the attack. Cox had an opportunity seconds later, but shot right at goalkeeper Matt Pickens from about 30 yards out instead of passing to Jordan Schweitzer, who was wide open to Cox’s right.
Orlando’s first big opportunity came in the 11th minute. On a 2-v-1, Barry made a move, freed himself and opened up space for a shot. Pickens made the diving save but the rebound was just inches beyond any OCB player.
11' | Hadji's lively start continues! His shot on target causes problems and Neal almost scores on the rebound. #ORLvTBR | 0-0 pic.twitter.com/nLwiRlk7VK
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) October 12, 2017
Seven minutes later, Schweitzer made a nice run to get into shooting position. Cox gave him the ball but Schweitzer’s shot went harmlessly wide.
18' | Schweitzer wide on a laid off ball from Cox!#ORLvTBR | 0-0
Watch: https://t.co/VzJAdKXIAe pic.twitter.com/ZnJONtW5dr
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) October 12, 2017
Tampa finally settled into the match around the 20-minute mark, and this led to numerous opportunities to break the 0-0 deadlock.
First, in the 18th minute, Georgi Hristov took a shot that went just over the bar. In the 23rd minute, Timbo gave up a free kick 20 yards out on a bit of an iffy call. Marcel Schäfer’s shot forced Fenlason into making a low, diving save.
23' | FENLASON! Great stop off the free kick from Schäfer. #ORLvTBR | 0-0
Watch: https://t.co/VzJAdKXIAe pic.twitter.com/RHDPlWTaiF
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) October 12, 2017
Seven minutes later, Alston’s poor attempt at a clearance led to Walter Restrepo putting a low cross in that skidded across the face of the goal. Luckily for the young Lions, the Rowdies’ forwards could not get on the end of what would have been a tap in. Schäfer should have put the visitors ahead, this time in the 34th minute, but his shot hit the crossbar instead.
The half ended as it started, 0-0. Both Orlando and Tampa had opportunities but the defense for both teams held strong. The Rowdies were slightly ahead on possession (56%-44%), shots (5-3, although OCB had more on goal, 2-1), and passes (253-202).
Starting the second half, Orlando was back on the front foot. OCB pushed players forward, trying to get the much-needed go-ahead goal, but every attack faltered in the final third. Schweitzer, recently back from his stint with the Canadian National Team, made way for Austin Martz in the 55th minute. The game was back and forth and there were not many opportunities for either team. This led Pulis to make his second change of the night, bringing off OCB leading goal scorer Barry for Danny Deakin.
“I don’t think Hadji [Barry] had his best game,” said Pulis. “We obviously went with a starting shape and it wasn’t quite working. I still thought we were dangerous and I thought we did well up until the final third. Just kinda lacked that little bit of quality that we needed in and around the box.”
OCB’s first big chance of the second half came in the 70th minute. Deakin gave a good long ball to Cox, who put his cross on a platter for Martz. Martz nearly missed the ball entirely and the ball softly floated harmlessly wide.
OCB’s playoff hopes ended in the 75th minute, when Tampa scored the opener. Schäfer put a perfect cross in off a corner, and Hristov just had to redirect the header. Lewis Neal was on the back post, but could not jump high enough to keep it out.
Scoreless no more!
Georgi Hristov connects on the corner to put @TampaBayRowdies on the board!#ORLvTBR pic.twitter.com/pZjWEa65gn
— USL (@USL) October 13, 2017
After the goal, Pulis made some changes, bringing on Ben Polk for Alston and moved to a three-back formation. The Rowdies adjusted to this by going more defensive and playing long balls over the top.
As the young Lions were throwing players forward, the Rowdies got a consolation goal in stoppage time. Sebastian Guenzatti picked up a loose ball off Zach Ellis-Hayden’s failed back pass, beat Fenlason one-on-one, and then passed the ball into the empty net to kill off any chance of a comeback.
Shake AND bake.
What do you say, @seba9113?#ORLvTBR pic.twitter.com/pHQPGDwzQJ
— USL (@USL) October 13, 2017
It was a good season for the young Lions, but four losses in their last six matches kept OCB from reaching playoffs in its second season. OCB will finish the season in ninth place in the USL’s Eastern Conference.
After the game Pulis, Neal, and Schweitzer were all visibly upset about the loss and the season ending. They all did not want to focus on the result, but the season as a whole and what lays ahead next season.
“I want to talk about how proud I am of the players,” said Pulis. “The work that they put in on a daily basis has been absolutely phenomenal. The attitude that they show in training and in games, the way they are around the facility, the way they are on the road. It is very difficult for me to put into words how proud I am to have led them.”
“I go back to the first game at Tampa, and how we performed in that to how we’ve come on since then,” Neal added. “Not just as a team, but individually as players, collectively as a group, I feel like we’ve come a long way. I know this team is a development team and I certainly feel like there has been strides that have been made with a lot of our individuals and, obviously, as a team.”
Schweitzer ended by saying, “If the same staff is here and I think a lot of the guys are still here, you’re going to see a lot of improvement [next season]. Hearing conversations from guys last year, just the steps that this group has made from everyone has been good. If a lot of people are on board and if the same staff is here I expect to see even better results next year.”
Starting XI: Jake Fenlason; Zach Ellis-Hayden, Zach Carroll, Fernando Timbo, Kevin Alston (Ben Polk — 78’); Lewis Neal, Tony Rocha, Jordan Schweitzer (Austin Martz — 55’), Pierre Da Silva; Michael Cox, Hadji Barry (Danny Deakin — 66th).
Unused Subs: Earl Edwards Jr., Paul Clowes, Conor Donovan, Joe Gallardo.
Goals: OCB — None. TBR — Hristov (75’, Guenzatti, 93’).
Yellows: OCB — Da Silva ( 76’); TBR — Vingaard (38’), Portillos (51’), Gorskie (80’).
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Huntsville City FC: Final Score 1-0 as Young Lions Listless In Home Loss
The Young Lions were embarrassed at home by Huntsville City FC.
Orlando City B (8-5-7, 35 points) was completely shut down tonight, falling 1-0 to Huntsville City FC (7-7-5, 28 points) at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. The lone goal came from Zidane Yanez in the 64th minute, one of the game’s few decent chances.
OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Chattanooga FC on July 18. Parker Amoo-Mensah, Albright Chikamso, and Landon Okonski replaced Titus Sandy, Jr., Clovis Archange, and Dylan Judelson.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Juan Rojas was made up of Tahir Reid-Brown, Chikamso, Okonski, and Amoo-Mensah. Ignacio Gomez and Caleb Trombino were the defensive midfielders behind Gustavo Caraballo, Issah Haruna, and Matthew Belgodere with Pedro Leao up top.
Despite the narrow scoreline, this was probably OCB’s worst performance of the season. The Young Lions weren’t able to get anything going offensively, taking just three shots and failing to put any on target. A 47th-minute blocked shot from Leao was OCB’s last chance of the game. The goal by Yanez was all that Huntsville needed to claim all three points.
The visitors had the first chance of the game when former Lion Thomas Williams took the ball off Leao’s foot and charged into the OCB third of the field. The OCB striker stuck his leg out in an attempt to win the ball back, tripping Williams and earning a yellow card.
Charles Brunet stepped up to take the set piece and went for goal. However, he sent his attempt high and wide of the target.
Amoo-Mensah tried to play the ball forward down the right in the ninth minute, but Reed Baker-Whiting blocked the ball, allowing Jordan Knight to take possession. The attacker tried to split Okonski and Amoo-Mensah, but Okonski knocked the ball out of play for a corner kick.
Amoo-Mensah cleared the ensuing set piece, but only to Aiden Jarvis at the top of the box. The forward volleyed the ball without getting much on it, allowing Rojas to make the easy save.
In the 12th minute, Belgodere split his defenders, attempting to enter the box from the right before Knight tripped him. Amoo-Mensah took the free kick, sending a hard shot towards the far post that went wide.
Huntsville nearly opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Baker-Whiting sent Maximus Ekk past midfield on the right side. Baker-Whiting continued his run and Ekk found him as he neared the six-yard box. Fortunately, his shot with the outside of his right foot hit the outside of the net.
OCB had trouble keeping possession in its own third and turned it over again in the 39th minute. Brunet touched the ball off of Amoo-Mensah’s foot to Williams before receiving it back. The midfielder carried the ball to the top of the box before unleashing a shot that Rojas handled with ease.
Nigel Prince played a long diagonal ball for Knight on the left in the 41st minute. The attacker controlled the pass before laying it off for Baker-Whiting, who appeared to have enough space for a shot. However, he curled the ball so much that it went out of play for a throw-in.
After 45 minutes, Huntsville had the advantage in shots (6-2), shots on target (2-0), corner kicks (2-1), and passing accuracy (90.9%-88.8%). While the visitors had more chances and were closer to scoring, it was even at the break.
Haruna pushed Brunet off the ball in the 47th minute and darted into the Huntsville third of the field. He played it to his right for Leao before making a run between Prince and Williams. However, Leao continued with the ball to the top of the box before taking a shot that Prince blocked.
The ensuing short corner to Amoo-Mensah was crossed into the box. But the right back put too much on it, sending the ball beyond everyone and out of play.
Prince lifted the ball from midfield into the OCB box in the 53rd minute. Ekk headed it down for halftime substitute Malachi Molina, who volleyed it to the near post. Rojas did well to dive to his right, tipping it wide. The short corner ended up with Jarvis, but Trombino got in front of the attempt, allowing the Young Lions to clear.
Brunet received a pass entering the OCB third in the 62nd minute. He briefly lost possession, but got it right back and fired off a shot that sailed off target.
Wilding made his first change in the 63rd minute, replacing Gomez with Nicolas Lasheras. At the same time, Huntsville replaced Ekk with Yanez.
It was an inspired substitution by the visitors, as Yanez scored less than a minute after coming on. Quick passing saw Molina send Misei Yohizawa behind the back line. The attacker was able to cross the ball before it crossed the end line, finding Yanez right in front of goal. The 18-year-old attacker tapped it past Rojas to give Huntsville the 1-0 lead.
Now chasing the game, Wilding made three more changes in the 70th minute. Justin Hylton, Nicolas Bobea Torres, and Sandy entered the contest, replacing Caraballo, Trombino, and Chikamso.
With the Young Lions still unable to create anything in the attack, Wilding made his final change in the 81st minute, replacing Okonski with Brady Kendall.
Huntsville did well to keep control of the game while OCB searched for a goal. During one of the team’s few trips into the opposing third, Belgodere went down near the edge of the box, but referee Carlos Rodriguez saw it as a clean challenge.
The only shot for either team in the final 25 minutes was a Xavier Aguilar attempt from the top of the box in the first minute of stoppage time. However, Amoo-Mensah got in front, ensuring it didn’t go anywhere near Rojas’ goal.
The Young Lions had a final chance on a corner in the dying seconds, sending everyone — including Rojas — into the box. But Huntsville headed it away, securing the win away from home.
At full time, Huntsville had the edge in shots (13-3), shots on target (4-0), corner kicks (4-3), and passing accuracy (89.2%-87.7%). It was a deserved loss for OCB, which was lucky to lose by such a narrow margin.
OCB settles into fifth place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference after 20 games. The Young Lions are two points ahead of Atlanta United 2 and three points ahead of Red Bull New York II. However, they sit one point behind New England Revolution II, two behind Chattanooga FC, four behind Columbus Crew 2, and five behind league-leading Crown Legacy FC. So, the Young Lions could still challenge for the top spot or cling to one of the final playoff spots, depending on how they perform in the upcoming games.
The Young Lions will have to forget this one as they head back out on the road, taking on Connecticut United FC Saturday night.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati 2: Final Score 2-1 as OCB Claims Three Road Points
OCB claimed a hard-fought road victory at Cincinnati 2 `in Northern Kentucky.
Orlando City B (8-4-6, 33 points) defeated FC Cincinnati 2 (4-12-1, 14 points) 2-1 today at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, KY. Issah Haruna gave the Young Lions the early lead, but Deiver Mosquera equalized in the 63rd minute. The deciding goal came from Matthew Belgodere in the 75th minute, securing the win.
OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made four changes to the team that drew Crown Legacy FC 1-1 on July 5. Landon Okonski, Tahir Reid-Brown, Caleb Trombino, and Belgodere entered the lineup, replacing Titus Sandy Jr., Bernardo Rhein, Dylan Judelson, and Harvey Sarajian.
Juan Rojas started in goal behind a back line of Reid-Brown, Clovis Archange, Okonski, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Caleb Trombino and Ignacio Gomez were the defensive midfielders behind Belgodere, Haruna, and Gustavo Caraballo with Pedro Leao up top.
The Young Lions created the game’s first chance in the third minute when Caraballo intercepted a poor touch by Cincinnati in the OCB third of the field. The midfielder carried the ball into the opposing half and tried to play Leao through. Sami Lachekar got in the way, but the deflection went directly to Belgodere behind the back line. Goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek came off his line to cut down Belgodere’s angle and the midfielder waited too long, allowing Felix Samson to get back and block the shot.
Cincinnati had its first chance in the seventh minute when Trombino’s poor cross-field pass intended for Caraballo was touched by Charlie Holmes and collected by Mathias Vasquez. The forward sent Kristian Fletcher into the OCB third before Archange caught up in the box. The center back was able to tap the ball away, but it went to Holmes, but Okonski blocked his first-touch shot.
OCB had another chance in the 10th minute when Rojas senta short pass to Archange. The center back sent a long ball forward. Camden Sphire was the first to it, but the ball glanced off his head and got behind him. Haruna was there to collect and was in alone on goal. However, as Ayoub Laihar got back to provide pressure, Mrozek did well to get down and block the shot from the top of the box.
The Young Lions created a third chance in the 16th minute and finally converted. This time it was a long ball from Rojas that cleared three defenders and Belgodere, landing perfectly for Haruna. The midfielder did well with this one, striking the ball with his left foot and putting it in off the inside of the post at the far corner to give OCB a 1-0 lead.
Rojas’ assist was only the second by an OCB goalkeeper in the team’s nine-year history. The only one previously was on June 5, 2016, when Mark Ridgers assisted Michael Cox in the final minutes of a 4-3 loss to Louisville City FC.
In the 26th minute, Samson played a weak ball for Leonardo Oreiarena that Gomez intercepted. The Young Lions had numbers going forward, so Gomez sent Leao into the final third. The striker continued the ball wide left for Belgodere, who cut inside before shooting. However, there were three defenders around him and Samson blocked Belgodere’s shot.
Cincinnati came forward in the 28th minute when Stefan Charila sent Mosquera down the right. Reid-Brown defended the right back, forcing him to cut back and play it to Charila’s trailing run to the top of the box. The midfielder dribbled inside to find space and sent a shot through multiple defenders, but it was right at Rojas.
Gomez tried to flick the ball over his head in the 37th minute to beat Sphire but lost control. Sphire took possession and played it through Charila to Mosquera on the right with Reid-Brown on him. A quick cut inside gave Mosquera enough space for a shot that was right at Rojas.
Less than a minute later, Vasquez made a strong run into the OCB third, working hard to keep Archange from the ball. He played it centrally for Kristian Fletcher, who sent a right-footed shot toward goal. Since Fletcher’s shot was in the opposite direction he was moving, Rojas was leaning the wrong way. But he dove to his right and tipped the ball wide with a fantastic save, the first time he was challenged in the game.
Cincinnati finished the first half with more shots (5-4) and put more on target (3-2), but only one of those shots challenged Rojas. Meanwhile, OCB had more crosses (3-2) and better passing accuracy (86.3%-83.8%), and both teams won one corner kick in the first 45 minutes.
OCB got the second half off to an attacking start, creating the first chance in the 49th minute. Gomez lifted the ball to the right for Caraballo, who had plenty of space as he entered the Cincinnati box. The attacker opened up and attempted to curl the ball around Mrozek, but Holmes blocked the shot over the crossbar.
Reid-Brown sent a long ball down the left in the 58th minute for Belgodere. Caraballo was calling for the ball as he made a run down the middle into acres of space, and Belgodere eventually found him at the top of the box. However, Caraballo scuffed his shot weakly right at Mrozek, causing no trouble for the goalkeeper.
Shortly after the chance, Wilding made his first substitution of the game. Judelson, who usually starts but was on the bench for this game, came on for Trombino.
OCB created a chance in the 63rd minute when Leao found Belgodere to his left. The midfielder had plenty of space and fired off a hard shot that forced Mrozek to block away.
Cincinnati quickly went the other way and found the equalizer. With Okonski backpedaling, Mosquera made a long run into the OCB box before shooting past the sliding center back. The attempt was just beyond the reach of Rojas and off the inside of the post to even the game at 1-1.
The Young Lions tried to retake the lead in the 70th minute when Haruna carried the ball into the Cincinnati third before sending it wide for Belgodere. The midfielder played it centrally for Caraballo, but Samson blocked the shot. OCB kept possession, creating another opportunity. Okonski played the ball to Caraballo in the middle and he quickly found Leao just inside the box. The striker’s second touch was a shot that Samson deflected, allowing Mrozek to make the easy stop.
Wilding made two more changes in the 72nd minute, replacing Amoo-Mensah and Haruna with Sandy and Hylton.
The Young Lions finally retook the lead in the 75th minute. Caraballo made a long run from his own third into the Cincinnati third before sending it wide for Belgodere. The left-sided midfielder cut inside to lose his defender and beat Mrozek to the far post to give OCB the 2-1 lead.
The hosts nearly found another equalizer in the 83rd minute when Charila was sent down the right. Archange was on him and defended him physically, but Charila refused to go down the defender tapped the ball off his foot. Unfortunately, the Young Lions were slow getting back and it went right to Jack Mize. Okonski deflected Mize’s shot just wide of the far post.
Wilding made his final two changes in the 84th minute as Nicolas Bobea Torres and Brady Kendall came on for Leao and Caraballo.
Cincinnati came close again in the 85th minute when Samson played a ball wide for Nathan Gray. The second-half substitute sent a dangerous ball into the six-yard box with Mosquera making a run. Fortunately, it was just beyond Mosquera’s reach and skipped wide of the far post.
In the 89th minute, Chance Malilo played a short pass for Leonardo Oreiarena, who wasn’t closed down and took a shot from distance. It was a strong strike and on target, but went right to Rojas, failing to cause the OCB goalkeeper any trouble.
The Young Lions were defending for their lives as the game entered five minutes of stoppage time. In the final minute, Reid-Brown lifted the ball to the top of the six-yard box for Torres. He was behind his defender but couldn’t get over the ball, putting it over the crossbar.
At full time, OCB had more shots (12-10), shots on target (6-5), and better passing accuracy (87.3%-84.2%). Both teams ended the game with five crosses and two corner kicks.
The victory ends OCB’s three-game winless streak, but since the last matches were draws, the Young Lions are now unbeaten in three. The win also pushes them up to third place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, just one point behind Crown Legacy FC and Columbus Crew 2, though those teams have a game in hand. They’re also only three points ahead of Atlanta United 2 for seventh, so they need positive results in their upcoming games.
The Young Lions will end their three-game road trip on Saturday as they travel to Tennessee to take on Chattanooga FC.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Crown Legacy FC: Final Score 1-1 as OCB Draws And Loses Shootout For Second Consecutive Game
OCB drew 1-1 with Crown Legacy away from home before losing the penalty shootout.
Orlando City B (7-4-6, 30 points) drew 1-1 tonight with Crown Legacy FC (8-2-6, 34 points) at the Sportsplex at Matthews in North Carolina tonight. Nimfasha Berchimas gave the visitors the lead in the second half before Dylan Judelson equalized just minutes later. The hosts subsequently won the penalty shootout 4-2 to take the extra point.
OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made just one change from the team that drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew 2 on June 28 and lost 5-4 on penalties. Ignacio Gomez entered the lineup, replacing Matthew Belgodere, who started on the bench.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Juan Rojas included Bernardo Rhein, Clovis Archange, Titus Sandy, Jr., and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Judelson and Gomez were in the defensive midfield behind Harvey Sarajian, Issah Haruna, and Gustavo Caraballo with Pedro Leao up top.
This was a pretty even game throughout. Both teams squandered plenty of opportunities before Berchimas finally converted in the 66th minute. But that seemed to spark the Young Lions as Judelson equalized just three minutes later. The teams could see three points in their future and pushed for a late winner with neither finding the back of the net.
The hosts had the first chance of the game in the fourth minute when Sandy deflected Berchimas’ cross out of play. The ensuing set piece went short to Berchimas, but Rhein blocked his shot from the top corner of the box.
The Young Lions should have taken the lead in the seventh minute when Haruna and Amoo-Mensah worked together, resulting in the latter sending a low cross across the box. It went through multiple players before landing at Sarajian’s feet at the back post with no defenders near and a gaping net. However, the attacker’s first touch was wide of the post.
OCB nearly had a goal in the 14th minute when Judelson used a nice touch to lose his defender and create space. He sent Haruna into the attacking half with Sarajian and Leao making runs. It looked like Haruna waited too long and then played it too far in front of Leao. But the striker beat Crown Legacy goalkeeper Lazar Kalicanin to the ball, tapping it around him. He had an open goal but hit the outside of the post.
Brian Romero played a great ball behind the OCB back line in the 24th minute when Nathan Richmond made a run between Sandy and Rhein. The attacker was in on goal and sent the ball past Rojas, but it rolled wide of the far post. A minute later, Crown Legacy had a similar attack when Aron John sent Adrian Mendoza between Sandy and Archange. Rojas came out of his goal to cut down the angle, forcing Mendoza to send his shot wide.
OCB tried to play the ball out of the back in the 28th minute, but Daniel Longo blocked Archange’s pass and John collected it. The midfielder played it forward for Mendoza, who sent a low, hard shot that forced Rojas into a quality save.
In the 43rd minute, Gavin Smith played a good ball to the top of the six-yard box where Romero was making a run. Archange did well to get his foot on the ball, clearing it out of play for a throw-in. When the ball was put back in play, Romero received a pass at the top of the OCB box, playing it to Richmond toward the end line. The attacker found Mendoza at the top of the six with some space, but his shot was wide.
Crown Legacy ended the half with more shots (5-3), shots on target (1-0), and corner kicks (2-1). OCB had better passing accuracy (93.4%-91.8%) and both teams completed three crosses. While there were several clear chances on goal, neither team was able to convert.
The Young Lions were the more attacking team to start the second half, with Caraballo creating a pair of early chances. In the 48th minute, Gomez made a run into the opposing third before finding Caraballo at the top of the box. The attacker attempted to curl the ball toward goal, but Wyatt Holt deflected it out of play.
A minute later, Amoo-Mensah made his way to the right side of the field, receiving a pass forward from Rhein. The right back quickly played Caraballo into the Crown Legacy third and the attacker shot from a tight angle before reaching the end line. However, it didn’t cause any trouble for Kalicanin.
The Young Lions broke on a counterattack in the 55th minute when Haruna won the ball from Longo on the opposing side of the field. He played Leao forward and made a run, but Leao’s shot from distance was blocked, ending a promising attack.
The hosts had their first second-half chance in the 59th minute when Sarajian fouled Mendoza near the top of the OCB box. Mendoza took the free kick himself, going directly for goal. Fortunately, he couldn’t keep the free kick down and the shot went over the crossbar.
Holt won Rojas’ punt from just inside his own box in the 66th minute, resulting in a break for the hosts. Mendoza sent the ball out to his right before receiving it back near the top of the six-yard box. Archange blocked Mendoza’s shot, but it went right to Berchimas, who put it in to give Crown Legacy the 1-0 lead.
Immediately after the goal, Wilding made his first two changes, replacing Leao and Gomez with Justin Hylton and Belgodere.
The Young Lions didn’t wait to get back into the game, finding the equalizer shortly after the restart. In the 68th minute, Mikah Thomas blocked Caraballo’s cross out of play. Caraballo and Amoo-Mensah used some quick passing from the short corner to break through the defense, resulting in the latter finding Judelson near the penalty spot. The defensive midfielder finished well, evening the game at 1-1.
In the 75th minute, Longo was sent to the end line and tried to lift a cross into the six-yard box, but Archange blocked it out of play. Richmond’s ensuing set piece found substitute Michael Ayovi’s head. However, Rojas was there to make the catch.
Haruna was dispossessed in the 85th minute and the ball rolled toward Kalicanin. Sarajian attempted to beat Kalicanin to the ball and nearly did, but the goalkeeper got to it first. The clearance went to Gomez, who passed to Caraballo at the top of the box. The attacker tried to create some space but his shot was blocked.
Wilding made his third change and used his second window in the 88th minute, replacing Caraballo with Nicolas Bobea Torres.
Belgodere sent a pass to the top of the box in the 89th minute that bounced off Sarajian, Haruna, and a defender before slipping through. Belgodere continued his run and was in on goal, attempting to beat Kalicanin to the far post. However, the Crown Legacy goalkeeper got a piece of it, tipping it wide.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Bobea Torres received a pass from Hylton at the top of the box, dribbling inside to find space for a shot. However, his attempt was deflected into Kalicanin’s arms. The referee blew the final whistle before the goalkeeper released the ball, ending the game.
At full time, OCB had the edge in shots (13-11), shots on target (4-3), corner kicks (5-3), and passing accuracy (90.6%-90.5%). Crown Legacy had more crosses (4-3) and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, each team received a point for the draw and the game went to penalties to see which would earn an extra point.
Crown Legacy was the better team in penalties. Rojas guessed correctly on Erik Pena’s penalty, but the substitute put his attempt into the corner. Rhein then stepped up, stutter-stepping as he approached the ball, but Kalicanin was disciplined and dove to his left to make the stop. John, Sarajian, Sebastian Ventura, Hylton, and Ayovi then traded conversions before Judelson stepped up, needing to score. While he had a good strike in regulation, his penalty was taken poorly, providing an easy save by Kalicanin to win the shootout and take the extra point.
The draw sees OCB stay in sixth place, a point behind fourth and two behind third. However, the shootout point saw the Young Lions lose another point to Crown Legacy, so they’re now four points out of second and first in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference.
The Young Lions will stay out on the road as they face FC Cincinnati 2 in Kentucky on July 12.
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