Connect with us

Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Chicago Fire II: Final Score 2-0 as Jack Lynn’s Brace Leads Young Lions to Victory

Published

4 years ago

on

Jack Lynn scored a brace in his competitive debut — both off assists from Wilfredo Rivera — and goalkeeper Javier Otero had a huge game, leading OCB to a 2-0 win at Osceola Heritage Park in the team’s MLS NEXT Pro debut. Both teams finished with 10 men, but it was OCB (1-0-0, 3 points) that had a strong second half to give Head Coach Martin Perelman his first win with the club.

“We’re happy to win,” Perelman said after the match. “We’re happy because our young players especially had their first experience in a professional league and also because of the performance of the players who’ve come from the first team. Of course we have a lot to improve, with many mistakes. The game was without balance and we don’t like that but OK, it’s the first game. And it’s good to start winning.”

Perelman’s first lineup of the season featured Otero in goal behind a back line of Nick Taylor, Brandon Hackenberg, David Boccuzzo, and Alex Freeman. Erick Gunera-Calix and Diego Pareja played central midfield behind Gonzalo Agostoni-Chagas, Rivera, and Moises Tablante, with Lynn up top.

The Young Lions were sloppy throughout the first half and gave up the far better scoring chances between the two teams, as they struggled to find ways through the Fire’s press. Homegrown defender Freeman had a giveaway in the opening moments that led to a shot from Alex Monis but it skipped wide of goal. Hackenberg turned it over in the third minute and that led to a chance but the shot was sent right at Otero without much pace.

The Young Lions worked their way into the match slowly and Agostoni-Chagas tried a shot from distance in the sixth minute, but it deflected out for a corner. On the ensuing set piece, OCB got a header toward goal but it was cut out and the Fire went on the counterattack. Josh Penn, who was a dangerous player throughout the opening half, forced a good save from Otero on the other end. Otero again denied Penn in the 11th minute on a good chance.

In the 17th minute, the Young Lions should have created some kind of danger on a transition opportunity but the Chicago defense did well to prevent both Lynn and Agostini-Chagas to get a clear-cut chance with timely challenges.

Otero again made a big save in the 22nd as Chicago continued to slip in between Orlando defenders.

Lynn had the best chance of the opening half for Orlando, slipping in behind the defense. With only the goalkeeper to beat, the 2022 SuperDraft selection skied his shot over the bar in the 27th minute.

“You’re never going to put away every chance,” Lynn said about the miss. “So, I think when I missed that one (in) the first half, I think ‘just keep your head high and know that another chance is on its way.’ And, you know, when the opportunity presented itself, I took ‘em, so I was happy with that.”

Chicago was forced into a first-half sub moments later, bringing on Justin Reynolds for Andre Reynolds. That ended up being a significant moment in the first half.

After Otero made two more big saves on Penn in the 35th and 36th minutes, Justin Reynolds, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, saw straight red for fouling Rivera near midfield, denying the Orlando attacker a goal-scoring opportunity in transition.

Down to 10 men didn’t alter the rest of the opening half, however, as OCB continued giving up more opportunities than it generated. Penn sent a weak shot toward Otero in first-half stoppage time on the last opportunity for either side and the teams went to the break scoreless.

Chicago out-shot OCB 13-8 (7-0 on target) in the first half, while the Young Lions won more corners (4-2), kept more possession (54.5%-45.5%), and passed more accurately (78.2%-72.1%). The Fire blocked six of Orlando’s eight shot attempts.

OCB came out of the locker room better in the second half and found a breakthrough just five minutes after the restart. Rivera’s cross on a free kick found Lynn in front and the first-round pick sent a strong, low header into the net for the club’s first ever MLS NEXT Pro goal. The Young Lions led 1-0 at the 50-minute mark.

“I’m buzzing,” Lynn said after the game. “It’s always great to start the year with a win and I couldn’t be happier.”

A minute after Lynn’s goal, Nick Taylor was able to sneak up the left side and send a shot on goal, forcing a good save by Fire II goalkeeper Mihajlo Miskovic.

The Fire nearly pulled a goal back in the 54th minute, but Otero made another big stop after OCB’s defense turned the ball over in their own defensive right corner.

Tablante sent a shot off target from the left corner of the box in the 59th minute as the Young Lions looked to put the game away. Unfortunately, it was the Fire getting the game’s next big break. Gunera-Calix, who had picked up a soft yellow in the first half, received his second booking in the 63rd minute, conceding a dangerous free kick just outside the area. Perelman didn’t like either call.

“I think those were a mistake of the referee,” he said. “For me, the first yellow card was no yellow card. The second, I think, is not even a foul.”

Otero made a save on Victor Bezerra on the set piece but Chicago scored on the rebound. However, the offside flag saved the Young Lions and preserved OCB’s 1-0 lead.

Orlando got two golden opportunities to put the game away as the second half wore on but couldn’t do it. Rivera was in alone in the 68th minute but couldn’t beat Miskovic. Tablante tried to track down the rebound but couldn’t get a clean look at goal as the defense arrived.

In the 76th, it was Lynn in alone on Miskovic, but again the goalkeeper came up with a huge 1-v-1 save in the box to keep it a one-goal game.

Lynn made amends in the 87th minute. Taking another through ball from Rivera, the SuperDraft pick buried a shot inside the far post to make it 2-0, putting the game out of reach.

“He put two balls on a platter for me today, so I couldn’t ask for much more out of him,” Lynn said of Rivera’s assists.

Substitute Alejandro Granados Torres tried to make it 3-0 on the cusp of stoppage time, but his shot from the left skipped wide of the right post. After another big stop by Otero on a deflected shot in the 92nd minute — giving him nine saves in the match — Tablante went for goal late but saw his shot saved at the near post. That was it for the scoring chances and OCB had its first win of the season.

Chicago finished with more shots (17-15) and shots on target (9-5). Orlando City B held more possession (53.9%-46.1%), and passed more accurately (78.4%-72.2%). Each team finished with four corners.

“I think the team did a great job,” Perelman said. “It is not easy to start a season, especially it’s not easy to start a new league. So these players, most of them, they did their first game (as a) professional in their lives all together. We will try to work to teach them to be more balanced, and that’s it, but I think that the players did their job. They did what we trained.”

The Young Lions will host New York City FC II on Sunday, April 3 in their next match.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Season

Find out where, when, and who the Young Lions of OCB will play in 2026.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

January 21, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B

The 2026 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was released today, telling us where, when, and who Orlando City B will play in the team’s fifth year in the league. The addition of Connecticut United FC sees the league expand to 30 teams, with 27 MLS reserve sides and three independent clubs.

The schedule remains at 28 games, with Orlando City B playing 14 at home and 14 away. OCB’s home games will once again take place at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.

OCB will start the 2026 season with a pair of home games, facing Huntsville City FC on Monday, March 2, and Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, March 8. The first away game of the season is slated for Saturday, March 14, when the Young Lions face Carolina Core FC in High Point, NC.

The Young Lions will also end the upcoming season with a two-game homestand. They face Toronto FC II on Sunday, Sept. 13, and Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, Sept. 20. All Decision Day games in the Eastern Conference will start at 2 p.m., and the Western Conference game times have yet to be announced.

The Young Lions will compete in the 16-team Eastern Conference as part of the Southeast Division. Connecticut joins the Northeast Division, and Chicago moves to the Southeast Division. As a result, OCB’s division will consist of Atlanta, Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, Chicago, Crown Legacy FC, Huntsville City FC, and Inter Miami II.

Once again, teams will only face those from their own conference, and OCB will play each team in its division three times. The Young Lions will face Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Chicago once at home and twice away. They’ll play Carolina, Crown Legacy, Huntsville, and Miami twice at home and once away.

The longest homestand this year is only two games, scheduled to happen four times, including the opening and closing matches of the season. OCB will spend the majority of July and August on the road with two three-game road trips, separated by an Aug. 19 home game against Huntsville City. 

Unlike MLS and the NWSL, MLS NEXT Pro will play through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That spreads the games out a little more evenly than the other leagues. The busiest month is August, when OCB will play six games. The Young Lions are scheduled to play four games in March, May, June, and July, while only playing three times each in April and September.

Unsurprisingly, the most common day of the week the Young Lions will play is Sunday (18 times). They’ll play six times on Friday, twice on Wednesday, and once each on Monday and Friday. The most common kickoff time is 7 p.m. The Young Lions will play 20 games at that time, twice each at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and once at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.

OCB is scheduled to play six times on the same day as either Orlando City or the Pride. On March 14, the Young Lions travel to Carolina at 3 p.m. while the senior Lions host CF Montreal at 7:30 p.m. They host Miami at 7 p.m. on May 24 — the same time the Pride face San Diego Wave FC in California. On July 18, OCB will face Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m. in Tennessee while the Pride play in Utah at 8:45 p.m. The Young Lions face Connecticut away at 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 while City plays the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. On Aug. 19, OCB hosts Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m., while Orlando City hosts Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Finally, on Aug. 22, the Young Lions will face Atlanta away at 7 p.m. while City hosts Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m.

Orlando City B’s 2026 Schedule

  • Monday, March 2 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 8 — vs Chicago Fire FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 14 — at Carolina Core FC, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 22 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 11 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 19 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 26 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 3 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 10 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17 — at New England Revolution II, 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 24 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 7 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 21 — vs Philadelphia Union II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 28 — vs Columbus Crew 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 5 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 12 — at FC Cincinnati 2, 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 18 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 26 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 1 — at Connecticut United FC, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 12 — at New York City FC II, 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 16 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 19 — vs Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 22 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 30 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 4 — at Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 13 — vs Toronto FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 20 — vs Atlanta United 2, 2 p.m.
Continue Reading

Orlando City

Four OCB Players Who Could Make MLS Debuts In 2026

Who are the most likely OCB players to make their first team-debuts during the 2026 season?

Published

1 month ago

on

January 5, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City has invested significantly in youth development since Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira arrived prior to the 2019 season. After signing just four players in the first five years after the club’s expansion announcement, Orlando City has signed 14 academy products to first-team deals in the last seven years.

While Muzzi departed the club this off-season, Moreira took over the role, so the emphasis developing homegrown talent is unlikely to change.

This past season alone, the club saw Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi make their first-team debuts. Additionally, Tahir Reid-Brown, despite not getting on the field, was on the senior side’s bench for four games.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most likely OCB players to join the first team for the 2026 season.

Tahir Reid-Brown, 19, Defender

The most likely player to make his first team debut in 2026 is 19-year-old fullback Reid-Brown. He’s already on an MLS contract and plays left back, a position currently of need for the Lions. The defender has been with the Young Lions for the last four years, making 56 appearances with 36 starts.

Reid-Brown initially played opposite Alex Freeman on the OCB back line before Freeman made the jump to the MLS squad and was replaced by Taifi, who also ended the 2025 campaign with the first team. 

Adding to the likelihood that Reid-Brown might see playing time is the uncertainty at left back. Adrian Marin is the current projected starting left back, but the Spaniard was less than impressive in his first season with Orlando City. Unless the club signs more depth at that position before the season begins, you can exepct to see Reid-Brown get some MLS playing time before long.

Jackson Platts, 18, Defender

Another player who could see his first team debut in 2026 is center back Jackson Platts. The 18-year-old was a regular OCB starter alongside Thomas Williams in 2024 before being relegated to the bench in 2025. However, the starter alongside Williams last season was Hayden Sargis, who didn’t come from the academy and is currently out of contract.

Like all defensive positions, the Lions have a lack of depth that could provide opportunities for young players. The only center backs are Robin Jansson and David Brekalo, forcing the need for a backup. The club also traded Williams, opening more room.

Platts is also a versatile option. While his natural position is center back, he’s also spent time as an outside back and in the midfield. That versatility could result in him seeing MLS action this year.

Justin Hylton, 18, Forward

The OCB player that took the biggest leap in 2025 was unquestionably Justin Hylton. The teenager was a star for the U-17 team before making his professional debut for the Young Lions. Originally a backup, he soon became a focal point of the attack and created problems for opposing defenses.

Hylton made his OCB debut on June 1 and didn’t start until Aug. 23. But he was in the starting lineup for the final six games of the season and was a crucial part of the team’s late successes. He ended the season with 11 appearances, starting six games, and recording two assists.

The only issue for Hylton is that his position is currently not the most in need. Whether the club sees him up top or in the attacking midfield, there are players in front of him. However, we could see him make his debut in an Open Cup or Leagues Cup game, if not as a late substitute in the regular season.

Dylan Judelson, 17, Midfielder

Judelson is another player who joined OCB from the academy in 2025. He started the season on an academy contract but signed to the club’s second team on Aug. 5. The defensive midfielder was a key part of the team from day one, starting the first four games of the season.

In all, Judelson made 20 appearances in 2025 with nine starts. He was in and out of the lineup with Guske, Riyon Tori, and Jhon Solis also seeing time in the role. But the Canadian youth international was very solid when on the field.

Although the departure of Cesar Araujo works in Judelson’s favor, he’s still behind veterans Eduard Atuesta, Braian Ojeda, and Wilder Cartagena, as well as Guske and MLS U22 Initiative signing Luis Otavio, while Joran Gerbet is also under contract but will miss the first part of the season recovering from a knee injury.

It’s a crowded field in front of Judelson in his position group, meaning he’ll have the biggest uphill climb of the players mentioned in this column to make his first-team debut. However, we could see the teenager with the first team for the first time this year if his development continues and there are injuries and suspensions ahead of him on the depth chart.

After years of the academy failing to produce talent for the first team, Orlando City has become one of the league’s standard bearers. That’s likely to continue this season, and it might be the start of a successful professional career at the senior level for these young players.

Continue Reading

Orlando City B

Orlando City Exercises Contract Option on OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg

Manuel Goldberg is back to lead the Young Lions of OCB in 2026 after the club exercised his contract option.

Published

3 months ago

on

November 19, 2025

By

Image of OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg holding up an OCB scarf.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City announced today that the club has exercised the option on Orlando City B Head Coach Manuel Goldberg’s contract, keeping him in purple through 2026. The Young Lions’ boss enters his third season in the position in 2026 and his fifth overall with the team.

“Since taking over the role as head coach of OCB, Manu has done a tremendous job connecting with our MLS NEXT Pro players, developing their skillsets and preparing them for opportunities with the first team and beyond,” Orlando City General Manager & Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “His deep understanding of our player pathway and internal processes has been invaluable. The continuity Manu provides is critical for the career development of both our players and staff.”

Goldberg initially joined the club in 2022 as an assistant to Martin Perelman. When Perelman was promoted to first-team assistant, Orlando City announced Goldberg as his successor on March 11, 2024. At 30 years old, Goldberg became the youngest head coach in the short history of MLS NEXT Pro.

In his first season in the position, Goldberg led his team to a record of 11-9-9 (28 points), finishing fifth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The Young Lions took fourth-seeded Chicago Fire FC II to penalties in the first round of the playoffs away from home, where they fell 5-4 to end their season.

The 2025 campaign was particularly disappointing, as the Young Lions failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2022. They finished the year with 28 points (9-13-6) and tumbled to 11th in the Eastern Conference after a promising start.

Overall, Goldberg has a record of 18-21-16 in 55 games leading the Young Lions. His draw in Chicago in 2024 (and subsequent penalty shootout loss) was his only playoff appearance. Meanwhile, his teams have been 9-7 in penalty shootouts over the past two seasons.

However, Goldberg has been successful in his primary objective of producing players for the first team. Since becoming head coach of OCB, three players — Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi — have signed Homegrown Player contracts, while Justin Ellis is seemingly on the brink of signing one as well. He’s also coached backup goalkeeper Javier Otero and, most notably, starting right back Alex Freeman, helping them develop into first-team contributors.

Goldberg began his coaching career at Israeli side Hapoel Katamon in 2015 following a three-year playing career in the country. He then joined Club Nautico Hacoaj in Buenos Aires, Argentina as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2019 before becoming a competitive program coach at Barça Academy PRO Miami. After two years in South Florida, he was hired by Orlando City as Perelman’s assistant with OCB.

Continue Reading

Trending