Orlando City B at Lansing Ignite FC: Preview and How to Watch

Orlando City B (3-13-4, 13 points) travels to Michigan tonight for the second time this season as it takes on Lansing Ignite FC (7-5-9, 30 points).

OCB fell 1-0 to Forward Madison FC last weekend in a game that the opposition thoroughly dominated. It was the team’s fourth consecutive loss and eighth in nine games. The Young Lions were able to keep the game scoreless for the first 45 minutes after Madison missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed. J.C. Banks scored for the hosts in the 57th minute, which was enough to lift them over OCB.

The loss at Madison was the first game with interim head coach Robert Sibaja in charge. He took over after Fernando Jose De Argila Irurita was dismissed just a day after the team’s 4-1 loss to South Georgia Tormenta FC. Having taken over just two days before that game, the former Orlando City U-19 head coach has had his first full week at the helm since then.

The Young Lions will look to break their streak against a tough opponent in Lansing Ignite FC. The Michigan-based club currently sits in third in USL League One and is tied on points with South Georgia Tormenta FC for second. However, it’s played a league-leading 21 games. Lansing enters this game on a six-game unbeaten streak (2-0-4) and its last loss was a 3-1 defeat to North Texas SC on June 29. Most recently, Lansing defeated Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 2-0, with goals by Robinson Moshobane and Pato Botello Faz.

Lansing has been one of the best offensive teams in the league this season. Its 30 goals are tied atop the league with North Texas SC and Toronto FC II. The club accumulated a 17% conversion rate, which ranks it second behind FC Tucson. Moshobane and Nick Moon, who both have four goals each, lead the Ignite attack.

While not the worst defensive team in the league, defending is definitely not Lansing’s strong suit. The team has conceded 30 goals this year, tying with Toronto FC II for second most. Lansing only trails OCB’s 34 goals conceded. Most of those goals have been conceded by goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland, who has allowed 18 goals in 14 games. However, he’s been the best goalkeeper for Lansing this year, as Michael Kirk conceded seven goals in four games and Kyle Ihn has let in five in three matches.

This will be the second time that these two teams have faced off this season. The first game came on June 22 in Lansing, where the home side came away with a 2-0 win. OCB stayed in the game for a while, entering halftime scoreless. Moon scored in the 51st minute and the Young Lions fell apart. Kevin Coiffic netted a second goal in the 68th minute and OCB didn’t put up an attack for the remainder of the game.

The Young Lions will look to claim their first away win of the season and only their second away point. They’ll also be looking to avoid the longest losing streak of a difficult season.

Most Recent Lineups

Orlando City B (7/27 at Forward Madison FC)

Christian Herrera; Wilfred Williams, Matheus Silva, Jordan Hill, Leonardo Simas; Austin Amer; Koby Osei-Wusu, Rafael Santos, Ates Diouf, Tresor Mbuyu; Luc Granitur.

Lansing Ignite FC (7/31 vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC)

Stefan Cleveland; Grant Stoneman; Brandon Fricke, Kevin Coiffic; Ivo Cerda; Rafael Mentzingen, Robinson Moshobane, Xavier Gomez, Nick Moon; Alex Bruce, Elma N’For.

How to Watch

The 7 p.m. kickoff from Lansing, MI can be streamed on ESPN+ domestically or internationally on YouTube.

The Mane Land has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though The Mane Land and SB Nation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our guiding principles.