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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami II: Final Score 6-0 as Jack Lynn Gets OCB’s First Hat Trick

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3 years ago

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Orlando City B (2-3-2, 10 points) dominated Inter Miami II (3-5-1, 10 points) on the way to a 6-0 win. It was the most goals that OCB has ever scored in a game, dating back to the team’s inaugural 2016 season. Jack Lynn scored a hat trick of goals and Moises Tablante had a hat trick of assists, while Wilfredo Rivera, Brandon Hackenberg, and Victor Yan added a goal apiece.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made three changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Philadelphia Union II on Monday. Liam Guske and Ian Silva were replaced by Hackenberg and Lynn. Additionally, Neicer Acosta was out with a lower leg injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by Erick Gunera, who returned from suspension.

The Young Lions had the better start to the game. In the third minute, Rivera had Tablante making a run across the field. The Homegrown midfielder tried to play it over but there was too much bend on it and it went out of play for a goal kick.

Two minutes later, Rivera sent a free kick to the far side of the box for Alex Freeman. The right back headed it toward the penalty spot where Yan got his foot to the ball. But he was unable to get his body over it and the ball went well high of the goal.

That was the last play for a while as inclement weather entered the area. A brief alarm halted play. Then, after a brief consultation, referee Anya Voigt signaled for the two teams to return to their locker rooms and the game went into an extended delay of almost an hour.

“We played soccer tennis in the locker room,” Perelman said about how his team passed the time. “I played with them. So it’s funny, I liked that time.”

“I think that’s something everyone does a bit differently,” Lynn added. “You know, some people, like myself, I like to just kind of sit down and conserve energy because you don’t know how long it’s gonna be. You don’t want to burn yourself out. And then other people want to stay active and keep their energy up. So kind of an individual thing, but I think everyone managed themselves correctly. And when we came out, I think our energy levels were still high. So, that was good.”

The Young Lions didn’t let up when the game restarted. In the eighth minute, some slick dribbling by David Boccuzzo provided some space, but the ball was knocked away. However, it went right to Tablante, who found Lynn in front of goal. The first-team player put his first touch past Inter Miami II goalkeeper CJ dos Santos for the early lead.

OCB sent several long balls to the outside, looking to connect with Rivera or Tablante. In the 12th minute, one of those passes nearly put Rivera in on goal, but it was a bit too far and the midfielder was unable to reach it as it went out of play.

A nearly identical attempt occurred in the 20th minute when a long ball was sent for Tablante. But it was the same result, as the ball was too strong and went out of play for a Miami goal kick.

However, just a minute later, Yan found Rivera at the top right corner of the box. Rivera dribbled across the box, looking for Tablante or Lynn near goal. But the Miami players kept giving the young midfielder space, allowing him to create his own shot. His shot went into the bottom right corner of the goal, beyond the outstretched arms of dos Santos, doubling the OCB lead.

While OCB had a commanding 2-0 lead, the team didn’t let up. This effort was shown in the 24th minute when Lynn pressured a Miami goal kick. While the rookie didn’t win the ball, he made it difficult for the visitors to get out of their own box and nearly did win it back for the Young Lions.

In the 25th minute, Lynn received a long ball in the OCB box. He looked to create some space to get a shot off, but took too long and ended up dribbling the ball out of play.

Two minutes later, Boccuzzo found Freeman to the right of goal. The right back was able to get behind the Miami defense and get a shot off, but the defender did well to block it and the ball went into the side netting for a corner kick.

The ensuing corner was taken short by Rivera to Tablante. Playing his third season for OCB, Tablante carried the ball into the box and took a shot, but it hit the side of the net.

OCB finally got its third goal in the 31st minute. After a Lynn shot was blocked out of play, Tablante played the corner kick short to Rivera. His cross was to the back post where Hackenberg — in his first game back in the starting lineup — jumped over the defender and headed it in.

“It was a set piece and, especially this game, head coach was saying the number one priority was to do it on set pieces,” Hackenberg said about his goal. “So they hit one of our players and then Fredo (Rivera) just chipped the ball to the back post and I just saw the ball come in and went on and attacked it.”

Yan attempted to get in on the action by creating space to the right and shooting on goal. However, his low shot was from a difficult angle and dos Santos got down to make the stop.

In the 37th minute, Freeman found Gunera at the top of the box. The midfielder’s first shot was blocked but the ball went right back to him. He immediately fired again but that shot was also blocked and Miami was able to clear.

The OCB onslaught continued in the 38th minute when some nifty footwork by Tablante created a shot, but it was blocked. The rebound went right to Ignacio Galvan, who sent the ball way over the target.

Inter Miami II didn’t get an opportunity on goal until the 41st minute. Noah Allen received the ball on the left and quickly attempted to shoot, but he sent the ball straight instead of towards goal and it went out of play without any trouble for Javier Otero.

It went from bad to worse for Miami a minute into injury time. After getting booked in the 42nd minute, Ethan Hardin committed his second hard challenge. As a result, Voigt gave him his second yellow card, reducing the visitors to 10 men.

The ensuing free kick saw the Young Lions nearly create their final chance of the half. Lynn headed the free kick for Freeman, but he sent the ball right at dos Santos, who made the easy save.

OCB was dominant in the first half, with more possession (54.7%-45.3%), shots (14-1), shots on goal (6-0), and corners (5-0). Additionally, the Young Lions were more accurate with their passes (87%-82.2%) and more aggressive, winning more duels (29-23) and tackles (6-2).

The Young Lions continued their domination into the second half. In the 48th minute, Gunera tried to find a teammate with a long cross, but dos Santos did well to come off his line to collect it. Hackenberg then attempted a cross in the 53rd minute, but again it was too close to dos Santos.

The first shot of the half came in the 58th minute when Nick Taylor set up Lynn. The forward was able to take an accurate shot, but dos Santos was there to make the save. Lynn had another opportunity in the 61st minute when Gunera fed him the ball. This time, Lynn was unable to get his shot on target as it missed to the left.

Two minutes later, OCB made it 4-0. Tablante, who had been dangerous all night on the left, sent a low cross into the box. Lynn received it right in front of goal with no defenders in front of him. It was an easy finish for the striker, scoring his second of the game.

In the 64th minute, Taylor set up Lynn again at the top of the box. He was looking for the hat trick but the ball was blocked and went over the crossbar.

A minute later, Tablante got in behind the Miami defense. The midfielder spent most of the night setting up teammates from the left, but this time took the chance himself. However, his shot was right at dos Santos and the Miami goalkeeper made the stop.

Inter Miami II finally got a shot of its own in the 71st minute through Romeo Beckham. The midfielder attempted to shoot from the right of goal, but Hackenberg was right there. The rebound went back to Beckham, but Hackenberg made a second consecutive block, allowing the Young Lions to clear.

A minute later, Able Caputo got a shot off for Miami. It was Inter Miami II’s second shot of the second half, doubling their output in the first 45 minutes. However, like the other shots, this one was from far out and went well high of the target.

The game was well in hand for OCB but the Young Lions scored a fifth in the 74th minute. Freeman set up Yan at the top of the box and the 21-year-old Brazilian put it into the top corner. Dos Santos made his best attempt to reach the ball, but he couldn’t get anywhere near it as OCB went up 5-0.

The final 15 minutes was more about getting the game in than the result, as lightning was visible in the distance. Inter Miami II was trying to get anything it could on goal as the visitors weren’t getting good looks. Braxton Taghavi-Najib took a shot in the 79th minute from way out, but it was nowhere close, going well above the goal.

In the 81st minute, Tablante set up Hackenberg near the penalty spot but the defender’s attempt was well high. Two minutes later, Tablante set up Freeman just outside the six-yard box and the right back’s shot was just off target.

OCB got its sixth and final goal in the 85th minute. Tablante found Lynn just outside the box and the forward put it in the bottom right corner. It was a hat trick of goals for Lynn and a hat trick of assists for Tablante as the duo combined for three of the six conversions. It’s the first time any player for OCB has had three goals or three assists in a game.

The best chance of the night for Miami came in the 88th minute when Tyler Bagley found David Ruiz and the latter got a shot on goal. It beat Otero, one of only two times when the OCB goalkeeper was challenged, but Quembol Guadelupe was there to clear it off the line, keeping the clean sheet.

Despite bookings and goals, the game was well in hand when 90 minutes were up. So with a storm rushing in, the referee blew the final whistle and OCB ended its dominance over Inter Miami II, 6-0.

“We had a couple tough games. The last few games (were) kind of hard for us to get on the board,” Lynn said after the game. “So it feels great to come out and get six tonight.”

In the end, OCB had more possession (57%-43%), shots (22-5), shots on goal (10-1), corners (6-5), and crosses (13-12). The Young Lions also had a better passing accuracy (88%-81.7%), won more duels (47-37), and won more tackles (11-5).

“I’m really happy about our players,” Perelman said after the game. “They have been doing a great effort all this month. They are growing up, as I usually say, and I think they deserve this. At home, six goals, I think it’s fantastic for them. I’m really happy.”

“Coach talked to us about just continuing to build on our performances,” Lynn added. “We had the majority of the possession in the last few games but had a hard time actually creating chances. And I think that was kind of the focus of this week was how do we execute in the final third.”

While most of the focus will be on the six goals, the team was also proud of its clean sheet. It’s the third shutout of the season for OCB and its first since April 24 against New England Revolution II at Exploria Stadium.

“For us, it’s so important to have a clean sheet. Always,” Perelman said. “We do too much effort for preventions and try to attack and defend with the ball. And today we were able to do it. So great job (by) our players.”

“That was what coach wanted, us to get a clean sheet, so happy about that,” Hackenberg added. “I think it was just a combination of our communication between Boccuzzo, Andrew Forth, and myself. When we were in our low block, the three of us kind of worked together to stop the production and everything. And I also think — just just putting in the work and tracking the runs and pressing to the best of our ability, and I think everyone did a good job of that tonight.”

The team also was able to defeat a rival, something that will matter to the fans. But for the players, it was getting revenge after they felt they should’ve done better in the first meeting, a 2-0 loss in Fort Lauderdale.

“Especially because they beat us earlier in the year, I think we all wanted to come in and show that we’re better,” Lynn said. “I think we all thought we were the better team that game (in Fort Lauderdale) and, again, we wanted to come out tonight and prove it on our home turf.”

The Young Lions will look to follow up their best performance of the season when they host FC Cincinnati 2 next Sunday at Osceola County Stadium.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Carolina Core FC: Final Score 3-1 as Justin Ellis’ Brace Leads Young Lions to Win

OCB wins first game since June 6 and is unbeaten in three after a home victory over Carolina Core.

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2 days ago

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July 13, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Justin Ellis bagged a brace for the second straight game, and Thalles added his first OCB goal, as the Young Lions (7-7-3, 26 points) defeated Carolina Core (3-7-7, 19 points) 3-1 at Osceola County Stadium tonight. Like the last time out, Ellis scored in the run of play in the first half and converted a penalty in the second half. However, this time the OCB defense — led by 11 saves by Carlos Mercado — held its opponents at bay, allowing just one goal and Thalles added a late insurance marker to put the match away.

The Young Lions are now unbeaten in three games (1-0-2), splitting the two post-draw shootouts and earning six points over that span. For the moment, the win moves OCB into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg’s lineup featured Carlos Mercado in goal behind a back line of Zakaria Taifi, Jackson Platts, Thomas Williams, and Tahir Reid-Brown. Riyon Tori and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking midfield line of Bernardo Rhein, Justin Ellis, and first-team winger Nico Rodriguez, with Shak Mohammed up top.

Carolina Core had the brighter start, winning an early free kick, but the Young Lions were able to clear their lines. In the fourth minute, a good ball into the box found Glory Nzingo, who should have done better with his free header, but he instead sent it wide of the right post.

In the eighth minute, Platts had to make a sliding challenge to deny a breakaway for Carolina after a terrible giveaway by Williams.

OCB’s first look at goal came off a corner kick won by Rhein. The set piece delivery was into the box for Reid-Brown, who sent a weak, dribbling header out of play for a goal kick in the 12th minute.

The Young Lions held a lot of possession over the next 10 minutes but didn’t create much, however, holding the ball eventually paid off. Mohammed got to an aerial ball on the left and headed it toward the top of the area. It was right to Carolina Core’s Juan Pablo Rodriguez, qho attempted to head it back to goalkeeper Alex Sutton. However, the defender didn’t get enough on his header and Ellis ran onto it and beat Sutton to make it 1-0.

Carolina Core tried to hit back immediately, bringing the ball forward. Nobody closed down Jacob Evans, who had a go from outside the area, forcing a save from Mercado. The visitors won a free kick near the corner and the Young Lions did enough to deal with the entry ball and the recycle. Carolina kept up the pressure and OCB blocked a couple of shots from the top of the area or just outside.

After the hydration break in the 30th minute, the Young Lions created a couple of chances for Mohammed. In the 32nd minute, the ball found Shak at the top of the area, but the forward took too long to wind up on his shot and got it blocked. In the 34th minute, OCB cleared a Carolina corner kick and Nico Rodriguez blazed down the left wing with the ball. He pulled it back to lose his defender and sent Mohammed in alone on Sutton. The goalkeeper came out and Mohammed opted for a shot, but Sutton made the save. Williams fouled Sutton on the ensuing corner, ending the attack.

The Core got a couple of late set pieces but overcooked a free kick entry ball and directed a corner cross wide. OCB took its slim lead into the break.

At the half, Carolina had the advantage in shots (8-3) and passing accuracy (85.3%-84.4%). OCB put more shots on target (2-1) and won more corners (3-2). Carolina may have had more attempts at goal, but the visitors didn’t create much danger from them, while OCB’s few opportunities were good ones.

Gustavo Caraballo came on for Nico Rodriguez at halftime. He kicked off to start the second half and OCB quickly created a chance, with Ellis firing a shot from near the top of the area that was blocked. OCB won a corner kick off of the play and nearly paid it off. Carballo’s service found Williams, who got a head to it, redirecting it to the back post. Mohammed ran onto it but once again he could not beat Sutton. OCB was called for a foul after the save, ending the attack.

Carolina Core had the ball pinging around OCB’s defensive penalty area in the 51st but the Young Lions were eventually able to clear. Moments later, OCB doubled the lead.

Rhein did well to send a ball down into the left corner for Mohammed. who was able to fight his way past Derek Cuevas at the end line and get into the box. Cuevas took him down from behind and it was a clear penalty. Ellis stepped up to the spot and stuck his shot just inside the right post. Sutton guessed correctly, but the shot was perfectly placed and the Young Lions led 2-0 in the 54th minute. With his second of the night, Ellis tied Mohammed for the team goal-scoring lead, with seven.

Once again, Carolina responded well to the OCB goal, as the visitors came down the right. Reid-Brown gave up an unnecessary foul on Cuevas to concede a free kick. Carolina sent the ball in and Mercado did well to parry Facundo Canete’s shot off of his post. Reid-Brown blocked the rebound and Carolina had a corner.

On the ensuing corner, Nzingo took a pass and fired wide to the right from the left side. Carolina quickly recovered the ball and Jathan Juarez got into the area from the left, forcing another save from Mercado.

OCB finally got the pressure off and won a corner just after the hour mark. A good ball in from Caraballo found Platts, but he got nothing on his header and it dribbled straight to Sutton.

Carolina Core somehow failed to score from four chances inside the area in the 62nd minute. The ball was pinging around the six-yard box and somehow the ball deflected to Anthony Sumo Jr. in front of goal. Mercado stopped him and then made a second quick save while on the ground. The ball found Nzingo, who fired twice, but Mercado got a piece of both and a defender also helped clear it off the line. Mercado then made another big stop on Nzingo in the 64th minute.

Thalles subbed on for Mohammed in the 66th minute, making his appearance since April 9, when he was injured against New England Revolution II. Moments later, Reid-Brown made two nifty moves to get into the left corner, winning a free kick. The entry ball found Taifi at the far post, but the fullback got under it and sent the shot over the bar. Taifi got free down the right in the 73rd minute but couldn’t beat Sutton, who made the save.

Carolina pulled one back two minutes later. Thalles appeared to get fouled while defending in his own end. OCB kept the ball in play but there was no whistle. Attempting to play out, the ball was sent to Reid-Brown in the box and he too appeared to take contact from a Core player. Again, there was no call, and the ball fell to Joshua Rodriquez, who fired a ball toward the back post that went under the diving Mercado’s outstretched arm and in to make it 2-1 in the 75th minute.

Taifi went with an ambitious left-footed attempt from outside the area in the 77th minute, but he sent a slow bouncer well wide of the right post.

Daniel Chica then forced another Mercado save a minute lateer with a shot from distance when no one closed him down.

Goldberg made two more subs in the 81st minute, sending Favian Loyola and Dyson Clapier on for Ellis and Rhein. Clapier had a rough introduction to the game, as he was quickly dispossessed in his defensive third, before conceding a dangerous free kick with a foul after OCB gave the ball right back. The ensuing free kick was headed high into the air, allowing Mercado to catch it.

OCB restored the two-goal lead in the 84th minute. Platts, who had a terrific game defensively, sent a good ball up the pitch that put Thalles in behind the defense. The Brazilian did well to hold off two defenders and slot a shot past Sutton to make it 3-1 with his first OCB goal. The striker celebrated by taking his shirt off, earning a yellow card.

Carolina Core sent numbers forward looking to close the gap once more. Canete sent a header wide in the 86th minute and Juarez had a shot saved by Mercado a minute later. Mercado denied Canete in the 90th minute as the Core kept coming.

The Young Lions managed the nine minutes of stoppage time well, allowing only a couple of long shots and one in tight off a scramble that went over the bar. The final whistle blew, and OCB had its first win since

With a second-half barrage of shots from all over the attacking third, Carolina Core finished with the advantage in shots (24-13), shots on target (12-8), and passing accuracy (85.8%-81.2%). OCB won more corners (6-5).

The Young Lions will be back on the road a week from today, squaring off at New England Revolution II at 3 p.m.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Crown Legacy FC: Final Score 2-2 as Young Lions Draw Away, Claim Extra Shootout Point

Despite little possession and few chances, OCB pulled out a surprising 2-2 draw and defeated Crown Legacy FC in penalties to claim two points away from home.

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1 week ago

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July 6, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (6-7-3, 23 points) was dominated for nearly the entire 90 minutes against Crown Legacy FC (3-5-7, 19 points) but managed to pull out a 2-2 draw away from home. Justin Ellis gave the Young Lions the lead before second-half goals by Emmanuel Uchegbu and Andrej Subotic made it 2-1 for the hosts with 25 minutes to go. But a late penalty conversion by Ellis saw OCB get a point.

The Young Lions then defeated the hosts 3-1 on penalties due to heroics in goal by Carlos Mercado, claiming the extra point. Mercado stopped the first three Crown Legacy shooters to help OCB steal a second point on the road.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made three changes from the team that drew 1-1 and lost on penalties to Philadelphia Union II Monday afternoon. Zakaria Taifi, Colin Guske, and Bernardo Rhein entered the lineup for Noham Abdellaoui, Dylan Judelson, and Dyson Clapier. Of those three, only Clapier was on the bench.

The back line in front of Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Jackson Platts, and Taifi. Guske and Riyon Tori were in the defensive midfield behind Rhein, Ellis, and Gustavo Caraballo with Shak Mohammed up top.

This should’ve been an easy win for Crown Legacy, which dominated the majority of the 90 minutes. However, some desperate defending and a poor pass allowed the Young Lions to take a 1-0 lead into the break. It looked like the game was done and dusted when the hosts made it 2-1 in the 64th minute, only for a late penalty to give OCB a lifeline. They did well to hold onto a point and let Mercado carry them to a solid result away from home.

Crown Legacy had the first chance of the game in the fifth miinute when Taifi turned the ball over on the right side of the field. Dylan Sing carried the ball to the end line before playing it across the face of goal. It went right through Mercado’s hands to Subotic. The forward had a wide-open shot, but Reid-Brown blocked it off the line.

Two minutes later, Subotic had another chance in front of goal. The attacker received a low pass from the left through multiple defenders. His first touch was a left-footed shot with plenty of space. However, it was Reid-Brown to the rescue again, sliding in to block the attempt.

A quick give-and-go with Erik Pena in the 14th minute created a chance for Nimfasha Berchimas. The midfielder fired from well outside the OCB box, sending the ball through several defenders and into the arms of Mercado.

Yves Tcheuyap received a pass at the top of the OCB box in the 20th minute, sending his second touch towards goal. The ball rolled through multiple defenders and past Mercado, bouncing off the outside of the post.

Williams passed the ensuing goal kick to Baye Coulibaly for a horrible turnover. The block went directly to Subotic, who dribbled inside before firing from the top of the box. However, the shot was straight to Mercado, who made another save.

Berchimas dribbled along the end line in the 24th minute before trying to beat Mercado to his near post. The OCB goalkeeper blocked the shot but was unable to collect it. However, he jumped on the ball before Sing could reach it. The forward dragged his foot during the attempt, getting a piece of Mercado and picking up the game’s first booking.

Despite the hosts dominating the game, it was the visitors that opened the scoring. In the 30th minute, Tcheuyap threw the ball to Subotic, who played it back to the back line. It was a weak pass that Mohammed intercepted, heading the other way. The forward played it to Caraballo on the right, and the teenager used some nice footwork to create enough space for a cross. His pass was chested in by Justin Ellis, giving the Young Lions a surprising lead.

Immediately after the goal, the referee sent the players to the sideline for a hydration break. Crown Legacy tried to equalize on the restart through Uchegbu in the 33rd minute. The midfielder carried the ball into the box and aimed for the far post. It was past Mercado but traveled just wide.

OCB nearly doubled the lead in the 35th minute when Ellis sent Rhein behind the Crown Legacy back line. The midfielder was in on goal but his shot was tipped wide by Nick Holliday.

The ensuing corner kick into the box found the head of Williams, who redirected it on goal. But Holliday was up to the task again, tipping the ball over the crossbar. The second corner was cleared, ending the threat.

In the 39th minute, Subotic was sent into the box and behind the OCB back line. However, Mercado did well to come out and block the shot with his left leg.

The Young Lions quickly broke the other way, playing Taifi down the right. The right back sent the ball towards goal, but it traveled well wide of the target.

Berchimas took another shot in the 44th minute, again trying to beat Mercado from outside the box. The OCB goalkeeper dove to his right, pushing the ball wide.

Crown Legacy regained possession and created another chance seconds later. This time it was Subotic shooting from long distance. Mercado made an almost identical save, diving again to his right and pushing the ball away.

It was a dominant first half by Crown Legacy, which finished with the advantage in shots (14-5), shots on target (5-3), crosses (4-0), corner kicks (3-2), and passing accuracy (90.9%-79.9%). But the Young Lions took advantage of a bad pass and carried a 1-0 lead into the locker room.

The second half got off to an inauspicious start for the Young Lions as Tori’s cleat broke, forcing him to change and leaving OCB with 10 men. Crown Legacy took advantage of the extra man, converting in the 49th minute.

Subotic tried to play through the OCB back line before Williams knocked the ball off of his foot. Unfortunately, it went straight to Uchegbu, who beat Mercado to his far post, evening the game at 1-1.

The Young Lions got their first second-half chance in the 59th minute when they played the ball around the outside of the Crown Legacy box, giving Mohammed a shot from the top of the 18. The striker slid to get his shot off, but it wasn’t very strong and was easily cleared away.

It was near disaster for Crown Legacy in the 62nd minute when Adrian Mendoza tried to clear the ball seconds after coming on. It went towards his own goal and, with Holliday diving towards the post, was just wide.

The hosts finally took their first lead of the night in the 64th minute. Coulibaly found Subotic outside the OCB and box and the Serbian shot from distance. After having multiple attempts blocked and missing the target in the first half, this rocket went past a diving Mercado and in to give Crown Legacy a 2-1 lead.

Goldberg made his first change of the game in the 71st minute as Favian Loyola came on for Caraballo.

The hosts tried to make it three in the 75th minute when Berchimas and Subotic played a nice give-and-go, resulting in Berchimas getting a shot off. But Williams did well to slide in and block it. The rebound went to Uchegbu, who took a shot of his own, and this time it was Reid-Brown getting in the way of the second attempt.

A ball into the box was deflected in the 77th minute, going right to Ellis. The attacker tried to shoot, but he couldn’t get much on it.

The Young Lions kept possession, resulting in Guske getting the ball in the Crown Legacy box. Coulibaly took it off Guske, but the defensive midfielder immediately challenged him. Taifi took possession, and Coulibaly made a clumsy challenge with Taifi’s back to the goal. The OCB right back went down, and the referee pointed to the spot, awarding the Young Lions a penalty.

After scoring in the first half, Ellis stepped to the spot looking for a brace. The young forward sent Holliday the wrong way, passing the ball in to level the game at 2-2.

Goldberg made his second substitution in the 82nd minute, replacing Rhein with Clapier.

The hosts nearly retook the lead in the 83rd minute when Berchimas created space near the top left corner of the box and tried to curl it around Mercado. The ball looked to be on target, but the OCB goalkeeper got his fingers to the ball, tipping it around the post.

Before Crown Legacy could take the corner kick, Ellis went down with a cramp. It forced Goldberg to make his final change, replacing Ellis with Justin Hylton.

OCB cleared the set piece and avoided any further danger from the attack.

The fourth official showed five minutes of stoppage time. The only chance in that period came in the fourth minute from an OCB free kick. Loyola’s set piece into the box found the head of Williams, but the attempt went wide.

At full time, Crown Legacy had the advantage in shots (24-9), shots on target (9-4), crosses (8-4), corner kicks (9-5), and passing accuracy (91.5%-76.8%). It should’ve been an easy win for the hosts, but the late penalty allowed the Young Lions to come away with a draw.

As per MLS NEXT Pro rules, the game went into a penalty shootout to see who would get the extra point.

Penalties belonged to Mercado, who was excellent in goal. While Loyola and Mohammed put their attempts away, Mercado saved the first three attempts by Sing, Brian Romero, and Berchimas. Reid-Brown could’ve ended it, but the left back sent his attempt well over the crossbar. Then Mendoza scored to keep his team alive.

Up 3-1, Clapier stepped up with a chance to end the game. Holliday guessed correctly, but the second-half substitute put his penalty into the corner, securing the extra point for OCB.

It’s a big two points for the Young Lions, who are trying to stay in a playoff position. They currently sit in seventh, just one point ahead of NYCFC II for eighth and two points ahead of Toronto FC II for ninth. This result keeps them in a playoff spot after 16 games.

OCB will now have a full week off before returning home following this two-game road trip. The Young Lions will welcome Carolina Core FC to Osceola County Stadium next Sunday night at 7 p.m.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Toronto FC II: Final Score 2-1 as Defensive Mistakes Doom Young Lions

Two defensive mistakes deep in their own half saw OCB fall 2-1 at home to Toronto FC II.

Published

3 weeks ago

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June 25, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City B (6-6-2, 21 points) fell 2-1 tonight to Toronto FC II (5-5-4, 19 points) at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Hassan Ayari gave the visitors the lead in the fourth minute before Noham Abdellaoui equalized just before halftime. But a second-half mistake by center back Hayden Sargis allowed Antone Bossenberry to score the winning goal.

Since the first team was playing tonight as well, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg was forced into some changes. Abellaoui, Dylan Judelson, and Jhon Solis entered the starting lineup for Zakaria Taifi, Thomas Williams, and Diego Pareja.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Abdellaoui, Sargis, and Riyon Tori. Judelson and Solis were the defensive midfielders behind Dyson Clapier, Favian Loyola, and Bernardo Rhein with Shak Mohammed up top.

It was a hot night in Kissimmee and the game showed it. Neither team threatened much, despite three goals being scored. Toronto came out of halftime the more aggressive team, creating multiple chances. However, it was a slip by Sargis at the top of his own six-yard box in the 79th minute that resulted in the game-winning goal for the visitors.

The Young Lions got the first opportunity in the opposing box when Mohammed was tripped on the left by Constantinos Iliadis. Rhein took the set piece, sending a curling ball into the box. Abdellaoui got his head to the ball, but the center back couldn’t get over the attempt, sending it high and wide.

Toronto got its first chance in the third minute and made the most of it. Ayari miscontrolled a pass to the top of the OCB box, allowing Clapier to take possession. The Young Lions tried to work the ball out of the back instead of clearing it, resulting in Solis giving up possession at the top of his own box.

The ball was played to Nathaniel Edwards, who quickly sent Ayari behind the OCB back line. Mercado came out to challenge the attacker, but Ayari tapped it behind the goalkeeper to give the visitors the early 1-0 lead.

OCB got its second chance in the ninth minute when Tori’s ball into the box was cleared away. Clapier took possession and played a quick give-and-go with Loyola before shooting from the top right corner of the box. However, his attempt sailed over the crossbar.

A weak OCB clearance in the 10th minute gave Toronto a chance to double the lead. Nobody stepped up to challenge Lucas Olguin, so the midfielder dribbled into the box. He had enough space for a shot, but Abdellaoui was able to block the attempt.

The Young Lions nearly had a chance in the 20th minute when Mohammed played Loyola behind the back line. However, before the attacker could reach it, Toronto goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario jumped off his line to collect the ball.

It looked like the Reds might double their advantage in the 30th minute when Edwards was played long and behind the OCB back line. As he chased the ball, Mercado came out of his box, beating the attacker to the ball and clearing it away.

OCB found the equalizer from a set piece in the 40th minute. Loyola made a strong run into the Toronto third of the field before being fouled by Olguin. Solis took the free kick, sending a curling ball into the box. Abdellaoui was making a back-post run and got on the end of the ball to even the game at 1-1.

You’d expect the 6-foot-4 center back to score his first OCB goal from a header, but it was a nice volley with his left foot that opened his account.

“I’m always happy to score one goal. The goal was important for me because it was my first goal for OCB, Orlando City,” Abdellaoui said about his goal. “I’m proud, but I think for the team, I’m not happy that I can be happy because we lose and my goal doesn’t count. So I’m not really happy, but it’s always good to score goals.”

“It’s great. It’s great that all the players that need to be ready are ready to perform,” Goldberg added about Abdellaoui’s goal. “And even more when they contribute, so it’s great.”

The Young Lions looked to take the lead in the 43rd minute when Solis made a long run down the right. He cut the ball back for Mohammed near the top of the box, who tried to turn a shot on goal. However, he was unable to do so, sending the ball high and wide as he fell to the ground.

Iliadis received the ball in a seemingly innocuous spot in the 45th minute, far from the goal. After taking a touch forward and noticing nobody was closing him down, the midfielder fired from long distance. However, it didn’t cause any trouble for Mercado, going well wide of the target.

Mohammed made a run along the right edge of the box in the third minute of first-half stoppage time before playing it central for a wide open Clapier. The midfielder’s second touch was a shot, but Mark Fisher slid in to block it. Mohammed regained possession and won one last corner kick.

Solis’ ensuing set piece went straight to Sargis, who tried to volley the ball on target. But the center back couldn’t make solid contact, and the first half ended tied 1-1.

After 45 minutes, OCB had more shots (6-3), but both teams only put one on target. The Young Lions also had more crosses (2-0) and corner kicks (2-1), and better passing accuracy (90.5%-87.1%).

Marko Stojadinovic tried to regain the lead for Toronto in the 47th minute. The right back received the ball outside the box and found space between Solis and Rhein. Striking the ball with his left foot, he was able to keep it down, barely sending it over the crossbar.

The visitors had another good chance in the 50th minute when Ayari spun to lose Tori and played it back for Jahmarie Nolan before reaching the end line. The forward’s first touch was a strike on goal, but Sargis got in the way to block the attempt.

Pressure by Loyola on Stojadinovic in the 52nd minute created the first second-half chance for OCB. The attacker tried to play Mohammed through, but it was blocked out to Rhein. The teenager lifted the ball toward the back post, where Clapier was making a run. Clapier tried to volley the ball on goal, but couldn’t get much on it.

Nolan split a pair of defenders in the 55th minute to reach the top of the OCB box. However, Sargis stepped up to block his shot. The ball went straight to Ayari, who took a shot of his own. But this one was right at Mercado, who ended the attack.

OCB nearly created a chance in the 61st minute when Sargis played a beautiful long ball for Clapier in the box. The attacker brought it down well, laying it off for Loyola. Meanwhile, Tori was making a run down the right and Loyola sent the ball forward for him. Tori sent a cross into the box, but it was too close to De Rosario, who collected the ball and ended the threat.

In the 65th minute, Ayari used some nifty footwork to get into the OCB box and shoot. However, Judelson turned his back to the shot and the ball bounced off his legs. Toronto kept possession but couldn’t create any more shots during the attack.

Once the ball was sent out of play, Goldberg made his first change of the game, replacing Clapier with Justin Hylton.

Solis carried the ball to the top of the Toronto box in the 72nd minute before being tripped by Reid Fisher. The midielder was the only player in purple standing over the set piece and it was clear Solis was going for goal. The midfielder tried to beat De Rosario to his near post, but the shot was just over the top.

On the other end, Stojadinvoic took another attempt from outside the box. There was a clear path to the goal, but his shot was right at Mercado.

The Young Lions had a goal kick coming out of the second-half hydration break and immediately conceded their second goal of the night. Sargis played the ball short to Mercado, who sent it right back. But, as Sargis looked to play it wide for Reid-Brown, the center back slipped and fell over.

Josh Nugent took possession and sent a ball into the box. Abdellaoui’s clearance was short, allowing Bossenberry to bring it down with his chest and tuck it inside the far post to give Toronto the 2-1 lead.

Goldberg made his second change in the 84th minute. Jackson Platts came into the game for Rhein. Usually a center back, Platts moved into a defensive midfield role, and Solis pushed into the attacking midfield.

With a one-goal lead, Toronto sat back in the dying minutes. However, the Reds nearly broke out in the 87th minute. Stojadinovic played Iliadis into the OCB third. It was a foot race between Iliadis and Mercado, with the OCB goalkeeper getting there first to clear it.

The Young Lions looked to find their second equalizer in the 88th minute. Loyola lost the ball near the top of the Toronto box, but Hylton won it back off the foot of Olguin. He tapped it forward for Tori, who laid it back for Loyola. The Homegrown forward shot, but the attmept was blocked out for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece found the head of Abdellaoui, but the center back sent it wide of the far post.

Goldberg made his final change of the game in the 89th minute, replacing Judelson with Zinedine Rodriguez.

In the 90th minute, Stojadinovic tried to catch Mercado off his line from his own half. The ball rolled harmlessly wide of the goal, but Mercado had gotten back anyway and would’ve made the stop.

The fourth official showed four minutes of stoppage time and OCB tried desperately to find a second goal. In the third minute, Loyola made a run into the Toronto box. The forward went down after some contact with Timothy Fortier, but the contact was minimal and the referee allowed play to continue.

That was as close as the Young Lions got in the final minutes as they fell 2-1.

At full time, Toronto had more shots (12-11) and shots on target (4-2). OCB had more corner kicks (3-1) and better passing accuracy (89.9%-87.8%). Both teams had four crosses on the night.

“As we know about this league, on defense on isolated plays, unfortauntely, can cost you the match,” Goldberg said about the game. “We had good intentions, we had good moments in the game, and we couldn’t get the result.”

It was the second consecutive loss for OCB after falling 1-0 to Carolina Core FC on June 11. More importantly, the Young Lions looked lifeless offensively in both games, a bad sign as the season continues, although several of the top offensive players were with the first team in St. Louis, including Gustavo Caraballo and Justin Ellis.

The Young Lions remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, tied with NYCFC II and two points behind Huntsville City FC. They’re only one point ahead of Chicago Fire II and New England Revolution II for the final playoff spot.

OCB won’t have much time to dwell on this performance as the Young Lions have a huge game Monday afternoon against Philadelphia Union II in Chester, PA.

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