Orlando City B

Move to Osceola County Stadium Will Help Orlando City B

Published

5 years ago

October 15, 2019

Last week, Orlando City announced that its developmental team, Orlando City B, would play its 2020 USL League One season at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, FL. Considering that the team only played at its 2019 location for one season, this might have surprised some people. However, this move makes sense given the purpose and makeup of the side.

OCB was launched in 2015 and played its first season in 2016. The first two seasons of the team’s history were to provide playing time for first team players who were not receiving minutes, allow players returning from injury to gain match fitness, and to develop young players. The only player on that team that came out of the academy, and was not on an academy contract, was midfielder Pierre Da Silva. The remainder of the roster was made up of career USL players.

As renting Camping World Stadium was quite expensive, the team spent its first year at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne. With the opening of the club’s new stadium in 2017, the team moved to downtown Orlando, allowing the Young Lions to avoid the hour-long bus ride. The 2018 season saw OCB take a break as it waited for the new third division USL League One to start. The team started back up in 2019 with a new focus on development.

When OCB returned this year, the club’s youth setup had changed dramatically. The development academy moved to Montverde Academy, where it was run by SIMA Director Mike Potempa. With the academy already located at the school, it was logical for OCB to be at the same location. This was especially important because several of the players joining OCB were teenagers from the academy.

There will be some big changes to OCB in 2020, but the team’s purpose will remain the same. The staff for OCB was set up by Potempa. After the staff was put together, Luiz Muzzi was named Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations. His role was to oversee every aspect of the club, including the development academy and OCB.

When Muzzi first joined the club, he stated that OCB’s purpose is to develop players for the first team. Any movement in the development ladder was to be upward, so no players from the first team would move to OCB. That purpose for OCB has not changed.

There were good and bad things that came from OCB playing at Montverde Academy. The school allowed all players to live where they trained and played. That’s very beneficial when you have a team with many players who are too young to travel long distances each day. It also provided more training time as the younger players were educated at the facility.

The problem with playing at Montverde Academy was its distance from the first team. If the head coach of the first team wanted to have a look at an OCB or academy player, it was a logistical nightmare. It also made it difficult for the club’s trainers to keep an eye on the health of the players. The upcoming move changes all of that.

In 2020, OCB and the club’s academy will move to Kissimmee with the first team so that everyone is under one roof. If Orlando City’s new coach wants to have an OCB player train with the first team, it will be an easy process.

The club’s new training facility is right next to Osceola County Stadium, where OCB will play in 2020. This past season, OCB had nine players from the club’s academy. You can expect that number to rise as the club puts more of an emphasis on developing Homegrown talent.

One issue still to resolve is housing and educating the players. At Montverde Academy, the players lived together and were educated on site. While they may not be educated at the facility, having them nearby will be beneficial.

“We live together, we eat together, we practice together, we are a family here,” OCB midfielder Thiago Souza said about the team’s setup at Montverde Academy. “So once we go on the field, it’s become easy for us to play soccer because we know each other. We know where people are going to go, know what people are doing.”

Keeping this family environment was key to the OCB players fighting until the end of the season. OCB vice captain Koby Osei-Wusu said the family environment created more love between the players and their love for the club. Continuing to work hard despite difficult results is key in the development of the young academy products.

Another important reason why playing at Osceola County Stadium is beneficial is the ability for the coaching staff to see each game. When the team played in Melbourne, the first team staff only made it to two games. It was the same this year as James O’Connor made it to the team’s first game and again against the Richmond Kickers. The latter seemed mainly to be so he could watch and heckle his former Orlando City teammate and Kickers striker Dennis Chin.

The lack of appearances wasn’t a lack of interest, but rather the difficulty getting to the academy from the first team training facility. With the team playing its home games at the training facility, Muzzi and the first team coaching staff will see many more games as it’s a common location they might already be at that day.

Seeing the players play live will allow the staff to determine who is ready to make the jump to the first team. Before the season, Muzzi said any year an OCB player doesn’t sign to the first team is considered a failure. While it’s not guaranteed that playing at Osceola County Stadium will result in more Homegrown Player signings, it’ll allow the club to be more informed on those decisions.

For the first time since joining MLS, Orlando City, OCB, and the development academy will be at the same location. This puts the club in the best position to develop Homegrown talent for the first team. For a small market club in MLS, that’s essential for future success.

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.