Orlando City B at North Texas SC: Preview and How to Watch

Orlando City B (0-4-2, 2 points) remains in search of its first win as the Young Lions travel to Texas for the second time this year to face league-leading North Texas SC (4-0-0, 12 points).

OCB enters this game after a scoreless draw against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC last week. For the fifth time this season, the Young Lions had more possession than the opposition but were unable to find the back of the net and secure all three points. As a result, OCB is still in search of its first win of the 2019 season, leaving the team at the bottom of the USL League One table.

The big news from OCB’s most recent game was the return of forward Will Bagrou. The striker suffered a concussion on April 14 in a collision in the final moments of the game. Ates Diouf suffered a back injury the following week, which has kept him out since and will see him sidelined this weekend as well. OCB Head Coach Fernando Jose De Argila Irurita said that, while he felt Bagrou was ready, he wanted to ease him back into the lineup by entering him in the second half last week. This week could see Bagrou’s return to the starting lineup.

While North Texas SC is a developmental team owned by FC Dallas, it currently sits at the top of the table after winning each of its four games. Last week, the team made its first trip away from Toyota Stadium, traveling to South Carolina where it defeated Greenville Triumph SC, 1-0. It was the third 1-0 victory for the team this season and the fourth game in which it defeated the opposition by a single goal.

Ricardo Pepi got off to a flying start for North Texas SC, scoring four goals in the first two games, but has been with the U.S. U-17 national team for the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship. As the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals Sunday, Pepi will once again be missing. The most dangerous player in his place is Thomas Roberts. The midfielder was dangerous in the first game between these two teams, creating several opportunities, and he scored his first goal for North Texas last week against Greenville.

This will be the second time in three weeks that OCB has faced North Texas SC in Frisco, making it the first time this season the Young Lions have seen an opponent for the second time. OCB had its chances early in the first meeting but the home side soon took over. North Texas controlled 56% possession in that first game two weeks ago, though the Young Lions out-shot North Texas, 17-12. The difference in the game came in the 42nd minute after a corner kick by Roberts. Defending Alfusainey Jatta at the near post, the ball bounced off the inside of Matheus Silva’s leg and into the net for an own goal. While OCB had its chances in the last 10 minutes, North Texas came away with the 1-0 win.

Tonight, OCB returns to the scene of that defeat looking for its first win as the two teams face off at Toyota Stadium.

Most Recent Lineups

Orlando City B (5/3 vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC)

Juliano Chade; Randy Mendoza, Matheus Silva, Nathan Simeon, Leonardo Simas; Jordan Bender, Serginho, Koby Osei-Wusu; Moises Tablante, Luc Granitur, Thiago Souza.

North Texas SC (5/4 at Greenville Triumph SC)

Carlos Avilez; Jorge Almaguer, Brecc Evans, Alfusainey Jatta, Bryan Reynolds; Tanner Tessmann, Brandon Servania; Arturo Rodriguez, Thomas Roberts, Oscar Romero; Johan Gomez.

How to Watch

The 4:20 p.m. ET kickoff from Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX can be streamed on ESPN+ domestically or on YouTube internationally. For rapid reaction and live updates, follow @TheManeLand on Twitter.

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