Orlando City B

A Midseason Look at Orlando City B

Published

6 years ago

July 8, 2019

Orlando City B is just over halfway through the 2019 USL League One season, having played 15 of its 28 games. As this was the first weekend it had off this season, it’s a good time to look back at the first half and see how the young players have done. Today, we’ll look at some of the players who came out of the club’s academy as well as some of the other players that have joined the team for this season.

Academy Players

The primary purpose of OCB is to develop first-team players. Due to a lack of strength in the club’s academy, there are only eight players on the USL League One team that came out of the club’s academy. That’s fewer than the other two developmental teams in the league, Toronto FC II and North Texas SC. But there are some potential future first-team players.

The first two players that have stood out this season are midfielder Moises Tablante and defender Nathan Simeon. A 19-year-old center back, Simeon is the only player on the team who has played every minute. He’s been very strong on the back line and, while the defense has had some focus problems at times, Simeon has played quite well for his first professional season.

It took some time for Tablante to get into the team but he has looked very good since. An attacking presence at the left midfield position, he’s scored two goals this season, tying him for third on the team. He’s been out of the team for the last three games but OCB Head Coach Fernando Jose de Argila Irurita says he’s the first division player in the future.

Austin Amer is another young player that has come on recently. After starting once in the first six games, the 19-year-old midfielder has started the last nine games for the Young Lions. While he has the ability to go forward, Amer has primarily been playing in a defensive midfield role for OCB, just in front of the back line. While Serginho often goes forward, Amer stays back in the gap left by the Brazilian and cleans up anything that falls behind. Positioning is a major part of his role in the team and he’s done well, as shown by Argila’s insistence on starting him.

The three most well-known players heading into this season were midfielder Jordan Bender and forwards Ates Diouf and Luc Granitur. Diouf and Bender spent much of the preseason with the first team and the 16-year-old Granitur is one of the youngest players in the league.

Early in the season, it appeared as though all three of these players would play a major role in the team this season. However, this hasn’t been the case. In their first appearances, both Bender and Granitur got off to great starts. They immediately put pressure on the defense and were the primary focus on the OCB attack. Since those first games, neither player has been a focal point for the team, nor caused as much trouble going forward as they did at the beginning of the year.

It was a tough start to the year for Bender, who suffered an ankle injury shortly before the season. After missing out on the opening game, he started the second, playing 73 minutes. He sat out the following week to rest his ankle and has started sporadically since. Granitur started three games up top during April and May, but is still only 16, so he has quite a bit of development ahead of him.

Ates Diouf is another former Orlando City Academy player who many fans have kept an eye on. The striker has started the majority of the games this season with William Bagrou. After starting the first four games, Diouf injured his back on April 19 against Forward Madison FC. That injury kept him out of the next five games. The Young Lions have struggled offensively this season, scoring just 14 goals. That puts them eighth in the league in 2019. Much of this has been because of the struggles of Diouf and Bagrou.

Both strikers have only scored one goal each this season. Diouf’s goal came on April 14 in a 1-1 draw with South Georgia Tormenta FC. Rather than an individual effort, it was a strong Bagrou touch from a nice run by Thiago Souza that allowed Diouf to get his foot on the ball. To this credit, he struck it well past the Tormenta goalkeeper.

Veteran Leadership

Most of OCB’s roster is made up of players from other clubs. These players serve different roles in the team. Some have previous experience and are instrumental in the development of the young academy products. Others are young Brazilian players that are on loan from other clubs.

While a major role of OCB’s coaches is to help develop players, it helps to have experienced professionals who can show them what to do. Sometimes the young players will look up to and emulate these players, providing a leadership the coaching staff is unable to give.

The two primary captains on this team have been Koby Osei-Wusu and Rafael Santos. Osei-Wusu joined OCB from the Richmond Kickers. The forward has been an attacking force, scoring three goals this season. More important though is his understanding of his role on this team. He understands the purpose of OCB and that a major part of his role is to teach the younger players how to be professionals. His ability to handle both of these roles has been impressive so far this season.

Santos, the team’s primary captain, graduated from SIMA, having learned under OCB General Manager Mike Potempa. He went on to join the SIMA Aguilas of the USL Premier Development League, once again coached by Potempa. Argila says that Santos is OCB’s “coach on the field,” as he understands aspects of the game that are difficult for the several teenagers on the team.

Capping off the elder attackers is Bagrou. The 23-year-old forward usually partners with Diouf up top. Bagrou and Osei-Wusu have been two of the most threatening attacking players this season for the Young Lions, despite Bagrou netting just one goal this season. Bagrou experienced a scary moment on April 14 against South Georgia Tormenta FC. With just moments left, a long free kick into the box forced OCB goalkeeper Juliano Chade to attempt to punch it away from danger. While he didn’t get the ball, he hit the side of Bagrou’s head. The striker had to be stretchered off the field and remained sidelined for the next two games with a concussion. He has since come back and is once again a regular in Argila’s lineup.

Defensively, the Young Lions are led by center back Matheus Silva and outside back Randy Mendoza. With the other two starting defenders being just 19 and 20 years of age, Silva and Mendoza take their leadership responsibilities seriously. Like Santos, Silva is a Brazil native who graduated from Montverde Academy. After playing for the San Jose Earthquakes and Swope Park Rangers, he joined OCB for this season. It’s been a difficult season for Silva, who scored an unfortunate own goal on April 27 against North Texas SC. While he’s struggled at times on the field, he provides an experience and leadership alongside the 19-year-old Simeon that can’t be understated.

Mendoza had a horrible start to the 2019 season, getting sent off in the first half of the first game due to a poor challenge. He returned with better composure and has played quite well at the outside back position since returning. In fact, he’s played so well that James O’Connor brought him up to the first team when the Lions traveled to Memphis in the U.S. Open Cup.

Brazilian Imports

While OCB has some players who are expected to help teach their young teammates, there are some younger Brazilians who have played vital roles on this team. Potempa and Argila went to Brazil and scouted these players prior to the season.

Three of the players brought back to play for OCB on loan are from Orlando City’s Brazilian partner club, Clube Athletico Paranaense, including 21-year-old goalkeeper Juliano Chade, who got his first start in the team’s third game this season and has been one of the best goalkeepers in the league. He’s twice been named to the USL League One Team of the Week and twice recorded the league’s Save of the Week.

Leonardo Simas has been terrific this season, especially going forward. The 20-year-old right back has started 12 games for the Young Lions and has been instrumental in multiple goals. In the team’s most recent game, Argila started Simas in the midfield for the first time, attempting to take advantage of this attacking threat, before moving him back to his natural right back position.

OCB’s best attacking player this season has been 20-year-old midfielder Thiago Souza. No player on the OCB roster has caused as much trouble for opposing defenses as Souza. His willingness to take on defenders one-on-one has often caused openings in the defense as others have been forced to come over and cover. Along with Chade and Silva, he’s twice been named to the USL League One Team of the Week.

While Serginho came from Brazil with the other three, he came from Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. Playing deep in the midfield, Serginho has been the team’s free kick specialist for most games. Most of his shots have come from long distance, more often than not missing the target. However, his lone goal was a spectacular strike from way out on May 22 against the Richmond Kickers. After the game, he said those long distance strikes are something he works on in training, preparing him for that moment.

It’s been a difficult year results-wise for OCB, but there have also been a lot of positives. Several young players have shown tremendous development and may end up being first-team players in the future. With more focus going into the development of young players by Luiz Muzzi, the look of the team will likely change in the coming years. As for this one, there’s a lot to look forward to in the second half of the season.

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

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.