Orlando City B vs. Richmond Kickers: Final Score 1-0 as Former Lion Dennis Chin Sinks Young Lions

Orlando City B (3-11-4, 13 points) showed no attacking threat tonight as they fell 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers on the road. The lone goal was scored by former Orlando City striker Dennis Chin, but the game was marred by a disgusting fight which resulted in the sending off of three players.

OCB made a few changes to the lineup from the team’s 1-0 loss to Greenville Triumph SC last weekend. Center back Matheus Silva returned to the starting lineup following his one-game suspension for a pair of yellows received in the team’s last home game against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Attacking players Moises Tablante and Rafael Santos also returned to the lineup for this game.

The Richmond starting lineup featured four former Lions. Orlando City Academy product Eli Lockaby started at left back while former OCB players Joe Gallardo and Scott Thomsen started in the midfield. Chin started as the Kickers’ lone striker.

The first real chance of the game came in the 16th minute. Gallardo found some space on the right and sent a low cross into the box for Chin. The striker was unable to get much on the shot as it was slightly deflected out for a corner.

On the ensuing corner, it appeared as though Richmond had taken the early lead. Gallardo’s corner kick found the head of Ivan Magalhaes at the penalty spot. His header went past OCB goalkeeper Christian Herrera and bounced off the post. Chin was right there to put it away. However, as he celebrated, the referee lifted his arm, signaling offside.

The hosts nearly scored the opener again in the 23rd minute. Herrera came off his line to punch the ball but missed, creating an opportunity for Richmond. Gallardo collected it to the right of goal and sent it into the box. Luckily for the Young Lions, Magalhaes’ header was toward the top of the box rather than on goal, allowing OCB to escape the danger.

Richmond should’ve had a penalty in the 39th minute, but OCB got very lucky. Matthew Bolduc carried the ball toward the box and was taken down by Jordan Hill. Referee Gabriele Giusti signaled that the foul occurred just outside the box. On replay, it appeared as though Hill took Bolduc down about a foot inside the box, but USL League One doesn’t have VAR so no review was available.

OCB’s anemic offense went the entire first half without recording a shot. Two minutes into the second half, Ates Diouf attempted a shot from long distance. It was deflected and easily collected by Akira Fitzgerald but it was the team’s first shot of the game.

While the Young Lions had the majority of possession early in the second half, it was Richmond once again that nearly opened the scoring. In the 57th minute, Thomsen sent Bolduc through on goal, but his shot was blocked by Herrera. A missed clearance by Tablante gave an opportunity to Chin, but his shot was blocked by Silva before it reached the goal line.

After having nearly all of the offensive chances, Richmond finally broke through in the 70th minute. Wahab Ackwei played a ball into the box where Chin was left alone by Randy Mendoza. It was a perfect ball in to Chin who volleyed it past Herrera from eight yards out for the first goal of the game.

With about 10 minutes remaining in the game, the frustration of OCB’s offensive effort caused a large scuffle. Leonardo Simas beat Braeden Troyer to the end line and carried the ball into the box. Before he could get off a shot or cross, Magalhaes cleared it out of play for a corner kick. Fitzgerald, Richmond’s goalkeeper, picked up the ball. OCB striker William Bagrou grabbed the ball out of Fitzgerald’s hands and pushed him. With the two standing toe-to-toe, the rest of the players joined in. OCB defender Mendoza eventually entered the dispute and appeared to throw a punch at Fitzgerald.

Following the incident, the referees discussed the situation to determine what action should be taken. In the end, they decided to send off Fitzgerald, Bagrou, and Mendoza. That left the Kickers with 10 men and OCB with nine.

There were no more chances for either team as the final minutes wound down. The 1-0 win for Richmond is a fair result as OCB never really had any good offensive opportunities. In the end, Richmond held 56% of the possession and out-shot the Young Lions, 14-3. None of those three shots caused any trouble for the home side.

It was a poor performance by OCB, ending with a disgraceful display. The game ends a two-game road trip for OCB, which included a pair of 1-0 losses to Greenville Triumph SC and the Richmond Kickers.

The loss leaves OCB with 13 points and drops the Young Lions to last in USL League One. They will have to quickly regroup as they return home on Wednesday night to take on South Georgia Tormenta FC.