Orlando City B

USL Academy’s Impact On Orlando City

Published

6 years ago

March 25, 2019

Last week brought the news that the United Soccer League was continuing its restructure, unveiling plans to create a fourth competition with the introduction of the USL Academy Cup later in the year, the organization’s first formal foray into academy soccer. Having moved the entire academy out to Montverde and with the imminent relaunch of Orlando City B, where does both the restructure and the new Academy Cup leave Orlando City?

It’s no secret that the soccer landscape in America has been far from simple to follow. A convoluted web of separate, yet sometimes equal, leagues have come in and out of existence with varying success. Within the last couple of years, the USL ran parallel with the North American Soccer League, both holding second division status in 2017 as sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation.

This was after the USL was a third tier league even as recently as when OCB was a member in 2016. Since then, a dispute with the USSF forced the NASL into hiatus, where it still remains, while MLS ended its dedicated MLS Reserve league back in 2014, instead requiring teams to enter their reserve teams into the USL or to affiliate with an existing USL team, like Orlando did with Louisville City in 2015.

To add to the matter, a further new third division, the National Independent Soccer Association, has put forward intentions to begin play in August this year. Teams have not been immune to adding to the confusion either, with countless going on hiatus, changing league affiliation, relocating, or folding altogether. In short, there hasn’t been much by way of stability and, as a result, it has proven difficult to properly provide a clear, concise, and reliable pathway from the youth to the professional level.

As of 2019, the USL has created three leagues: USL Championship (USLC), USL League One (USL1), and USL League Two (USL2).

USLC is simply a rebranded USL, a thriving league that is now the sole second division in U.S. soccer and currently contains 36 teams.
USL1 is a brand new, fully professional third division that technically contains 12 teams, although only 10 are set to contest the inaugural season beginning later this month, with the newly reformed OCB being one of them. It is the lowest level of professional soccer in the country.
USL2, unofficially a fourth division, as USSF does not recognize formal levels below the third tier, is now what was formerly known as the Premier Development League. The highest level amateur league was a regular landing spot for elite collegiate talent prior to their MLS draft eligibility. It sits roughly equal to the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), although the NPSL has no age restrictions, unlike the USL2.

When the USL originally launched the reformat, it marketed USL2 as #Path2Pro, but with the new USL Academy announcement, it appears the league already has plans to extend that vision even further. It should be applauded that the USL continues to take such a significant hands-on role in the nation’s youth development. As its partnership with MLS enters its seventh season, 21 of MLS’ 24 teams have USL ties. Twelve teams operate their own reserve sides (nine in USLC and three in USL1), while nine have affiliate agreements, including two with so-called “hybrid” deals (eight in USLC and one in USL1).

Fielding reserve teams in professional leagues is nothing new. In Spain, for example, reserve sides compete in the same league system, although they are not eligible for promotion to the same division as their parent club, nor can they compete in the Copa del Rey. But other countries, such as England, continue to run dedicated and separate reserve leagues, with the English system running a two-tier system across two age groups.

The USL therefore currently sits in an unusual middle ground as an American hybrid of both systems (minus the promotion/relegation, obviously). The biggest teams, like the hugely successful New York Red Bulls and Portland Timbers systems, not only have a reserve side capable of challenging in the USLC like a La Liga reserve team, but they also run U-23 teams in the amateur USL2 league for players too old to be in academies but not quite at the level of the USLC.

Meanwhile, teams like Orlando City (along with Toronto and FC Dallas) have essentially condensed both of those levels into one, and will field their U-23/reserve hybrid team in the USL1. Orlando folded its U-23 side in 2015 in lieu of OCB’s creation, with the team initially entering what is now the USLC before the hiatus.

The new OCB squad has an average age of just over 20, with the oldest, Evan John, having just turned 24 earlier this year. Coupled with new Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi’s impeccable record of Homegrown Players with Dallas, there’s hope the latest move to USL1 will lay the groundwork for a similar set of results in Central Florida in the future.

FC Dallas’ 2–1 win over Colorado at the weekend saw the Texas team start five Homegrown Players. Orlando City B’s success will not be measured by the final table standings, but by how many players it manages to develop for the senior MLS side, a process that has already started with the likes of OCB midfielder and academy product Jordan Bender already seeing senior minutes in the Orlando City Invitational during the preseason.

Where the Academy Cup Fits In

The move to create the USL Academy Cup seems like the next logical step in formalizing the USL’s vision for soccer infrastructure, giving the opportunity for all its member clubs to host their own academies and bring a level of continuity to the development ladder. It’s not that academy programs don’t already exist. Many sides already have U.S. Soccer Development Academy (DA) or Elite Club National League (ECNL) teams. Indeed, there is a massive surplus with DAs currently boasting 197 clubs scattered across the country, while ECNL lists 94.

The USL’s issue is the lack of alignment. Many of those teams do not have a direct link to professional sides and there are plenty of USL teams across all three levels that currently have no youth setup whatsoever. Only 32 of the USL’s 118 clubs currently have teams competing in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and a only 10 have teams that compete in other competitions. Meanwhile, a side like Louisville City, which is coming off the defense of its USL title still has no youth program at all.

The USL’s intention, therefore, is not to eliminate those academies but instead to realign them by getting pro teams to engage with community clubs in their shared mission of developing professional players locally and providing a realistic vision of a path to pro soccer. Whether it be by absorbing them into their professional brand, creating formal affiliations, or pooling regional talent in Centers of Excellence, this is what the USL is aiming for.

In theory, having a collective approach with the support of a professional team has very little downside, as pro teams help offset costs. This approach also grows the potential of selling leagues, increases local fan engagement, and helps to accelerate those teams’ timelines that haven’t been able to write a blank check to fully fund a youth program, top to bottom.

Orlando City already has academy sides though, so how does this help OCSC? Well, it does little to affect the OCSC pipeline on a macro level in comparison to other clubs that have no existing academy. However, it could potentially extend the team’s reach and do a better job at identifying local talent earlier and providing these players with better facilities and coaching. What’s more appealing is the competition itself, even in its soft launch.

Initially, the USL Academy Cup looks similar to what the U.S. Open Cup is to professional sides and mirrors what MLS does with the Generation Adidas Cup. Spread across two age groups, it brings academies from the clubs across all three levels of the USL into one tournament.

The U-17s will compete in two regional qualifiers split between the Eastern and Western Conference. Regional results will determine seeding and placement ahead of the national event in May.

The U-13 age group will just compete at the national events. USL Senior Director of Youth Development Liam O’Connell stressed that the USL doesn’t want to cull existing competitions and monopolize the youth market. The competition will merely help flesh out the calendar with an elite competition while keeping costs as low as possible, hence the U-13s not having to go through regional qualifiers. Targeting two key pre-professional age groups, and under the guise of the USL and its professional partners, the competition has the potential to reinforce ideals and aspirations for players hoping to make it in professional soccer without moving abroad.

It might all seem like a pipe dream right now and, frankly, the scale is vast, with the individual nuances of each region, club, or even player far too complex to examine individually. Nor is there any way of predicting the impact the new competition will have both in its debut year and down the road. But in the simplest of terms, it’s a step or two in the right direction for Orlando City and soccer in this country.

Related Topics:SBN_migrated Youth Program / Development Academy

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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

February 13, 2025

Michael Citro

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.

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

January 30, 2025

Sean Rollins

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.

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

January 27, 2025

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was r eleased 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.