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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Philadelphia Union II: Final Score 3-1 as Young Lions Blasted at Home

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3 years ago

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Orlando City B (4-9-3, 17 points) fell 3-1 to Philadelphia Union II (5-7-3, 20 points) at Osceola County Stadium in a chippy affair that saw the visitors score twice after OCB equalized late. Both teams lost their starting goalkeepers to second-half red cards and OCB went down to nine men in the closing moments when Diego Pareja was sent off. Matt Real gave the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute and OCB answered through Ethan Subachan in the 85th. But late goals by Jesus Bueno and Nelson Pierre saw Philadelphia leave with all three points.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made four changes from the team that completed a 4-3 comeback win last weekend against Chicago Fire II. Joey DeZart was injured last weekend, taking him out of the lineup. Additionally, Wilfredo Rivera, Erick Gunera, and Neicer Acosta were out of the lineup. They were replaced by Nick Taylor, Alejandro Granados, Favian Loyola, and Moises Tablante, who came back from his one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

The Lions had one player in the starting lineup that was in the team Saturday night when the first teams faced off at Exploria Stadium. Jack Lynn came off the bench late for the senior side and started up top tonight. Meanwhile, Philadelphia had four players in the team that were in the first team last night. Christopher Donovan and Quinn Sullivan came off the bench and Real and Bueno were unused subs in Philadelphia’s 1-0 win.

The Young Lions got off to the better start in this game, creating their first chance in the sixth minute. Loyola found Tablante on the far side of the field, creating a shot for the midfielder. The shot was blocked and Alex Freeman picked it up but it was quickly knocked out for a corner kick.

A minute later, Loyola sent another ball towards the back post. It was likely supposed to be a cross for Tablante on the far side, but the ball drifted toward the far post and appeared to be on target. In fact, it was close enough that Union II goalkeeper Matt Freese felt that it was necessary to dive and catch the long ball.

Tablante should’ve opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he took the ball away on the Philadelphia half of the field and bolted the other way. The midfielder had a breakaway on goal and attempted to dribble around a defender and beat Freese. However, he lost control, which resulted in a weak shot, allowing the Union II goalkeeper to jump on the ball.

It appeared that Tablante might have another breakaway chance in the 18th minute when a nice flick on by Lynn with the outside of his right foot sprung the midfielder free. However, the assistant had his flag up, signaling for offside.

Philadelphia had its best early chance in the 23rd minute when Brandan Craig played a ball through for Bueno. The midfielder nearly caught up to the ball in the box behind the OCB defense, but it was a bit too far in front of the sliding Bueno and Javier Otero collected it.

The Union had another chance in the 26th minute when Real sent a cross in looking for Bueno. The cross found Bueno’s head, but he couldn’t get it down and the shot went over the crossbar.

The best first-half chance for OCB came in the 28th minute. It started with Tablante, who used some nifty footwork to beat a pair of defenders. He found Lynn in front of goal but the striker’s shot was right at Freese. The block went right to Victor Yan, who fired on goal from the top of the box. However, his shot bounced off the crossbar and the Young Lions missed another great opportunity to open the scoring.

A bit of history occurred for OCB just after the missed chances. Philadelphia broke the other way and Juan Perdomo went down injured in the OCB box. The midfielder required medical assistance, forcing him to come off for three minutes, as the recently released injury rule for MLS NEXT Pro dictates. While other players have received attention during OCB games since the rule came into effect, it was the first time that the player wasn’t substituted.

Sullivan nearly gave the visitors the lead in the 37th minute. The midfielder fired a shot off from the top of the box that was dipping and appeared to be headed just below the crossbar. As a result, Otero was forced to tip it over.

In the 42nd minute, Sullivan attempted a curling shot from outside the box toward the lower right corner, but Otero did well in goal, diving to make the catch and keeping the game scoreless.

A minute later, Sullivan attempted to catch Otero off his line from his own side of the field. The ball was sailing close to the crossbar but went just over, falling on top of the net. However, Otero wasn’t too far out and was close enough that he would’ve caught it had it not gone over.

Union II had one more chance as the first half neared its end. Anton Sorenson made a nice run, getting a shot off to the right. Otero blocked it away and Thomas Williams cleared it away from danger.

OCB had the better first half overall, with better chances. At the half, OCB had more possession (61.1%-38.9%) but Philadelphia had more shots (8-5), shots on target (4-2), corners (3-2), and crosses (5-2).

The visitors got off to a roaring start to the second half. Inside the first minute, a good cross to the far side met the foot of Perdomo. The midfielder attempted to shoot to the far post, but missed just wide.

In the 50th minute, Donovan dribbled into the middle of the box and found enough space to shoot. With no defenders in front of him, it was a golden chance to open the scoring, but the shot was right at Otero, who easily caught it.

Union II finally broke through two minutes later. A long corner kick towards the far side of the box was headed back across by Donovan. Real beat the OCB defenders to the ball and headed it past Otero to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead.

Philadelphia nearly got a second in the 54th minute when an attempted cross by Sullivan was blocked out of play by Ignacio Galvan. The corner was redirected on goal by Nathan Nkanji and beat Otero, but Lynn was there to head it off the line and the Young Lions avoided a two-goal deficit.

OCB could have found the equalizer in the 59th minute when Lynn was sent through into the Philadelphia box. However, Boubacar Diallo played it well, clearing the ball out of play for a corner kick.

The ensuing corner fell in the middle of the box. As the Union II players failed to clear it, OCB attempted to find space for a shot. Unfortunately, they were unable to find enough space to put the ball on goal. The ball popped out to Loyola outside the box and the midfielder shot but it was well off target.

The Young Lions had another opportunity in the 65th minute when Taylor’s cross was over the head of Lynn at the top of the six-yard box. However, it landed at the feet of Freeman who played it back for Lynn, who sent his shot over the crossbar.

In the 68th minute, OCB caught a break. Tablante was sent through on goal and Freese came out to challenge. He took down Tablante just outside the box, which referee Anya Voigt determined was a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity and issued Freese a red card. As a result, Philadelphia took Diallo off for backup goalkeeper Brooks Thompson.

The ensuing free kick was right into the wall. Lynn ended up with the ball with more space in front of goal but sent it right to Thompson. However, the backup goalkeeper was unable to control it and it fell to Loyola, whose shot missed high.

In the 75th minute, the teams went to the sidelines for a hydration break. During the stoppage, multiple OCB players surrounded the officials near midfield. Voigt ended up showing a red card to Otero. In about 10 minutes, both teams had lost their starting goalkeepers.

The sending off of Otero meant that OCB had to bring on backup goalkeeper Dominic Pereira. It was the 17-year-old Orlando City academy product’s first professional appearance. To make room for the goalkeeper, Perelman took off Galvan. He also replaced Lynn with Ethan Subachan, which helped the Young Lions get back into the game.

OCB found its equalizer in the 85th minute. Freeman received a long pass on the right and sent it back across the box. Freeman’s beautiful cross sailed beyond Thompson to where Subachan was standing near the back post. The second-half substitute didn’t waste his opportunity, putting it in for his first professional goal and evening the game at 1-1.

However, the game didn’t remain tied for long. Just two minutes after the Young Lions scored, Philadelphia took the lead back. Real sent a long cross into the box that found Bueno, but Williams blocked his shot. The rebound went to Sullivan, who aimed for the far post. Making a run further into the box, Bueno got his heel to the ball and it went into the far corner, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.

A minute into second-half injury time, Union II nearly put the game away. Pierre found space for a shot and aimed for the right low corner but sent the ball just wide. Moments later, OCB’s Freeman sent a ball across the box, but nobody in purple was there to get on the end of it.

Four minutes into added time, Philadelphia put the game away. Pareja lost the ball to Sullivan near midfield and the Union II midfielder started a three-on-two break. With an option on either side, he sent the ball to the left for Pierre. After missing just wide minutes earlier, Pierre put it into the top corner to make it 3-1.

Tensions flared following the goal as the players gathered near midfield. Pierre had been booked for his excessive celebration after the goal but that wasn’t all. The fracas at midfield resulted in Maike Villero and Pareja getting booked. It was Pareja’s second booking of the game, as he also received a yellow in the 83rd minute for a professional foul.

Initially, Pareja thought he had gotten away with it as Voigt didn’t seem to realize that she had already booked the midfielder. However, she eventually realized that he was already on a yellow card and sent him off, reducing the Young Lions to nine men.

Philadelphia had one more chance to make it four when Sullivan set up Bueno but the shot was off target. Down to nine players and two goals, there was no coming back for the hosts and OCB fell again at home.

In the end, OCB commanded possession (60.6%-39.4%), though the Young Lions had less possession in the second half. Philadelphia ended up with more shots (22-15), shots on goal (10-5), corners (5-3), and crosses (12-10).

The two teams were tied on points coming into this game, so Philadelphia ended the night in seventh while OCB fell to eighth. The Young Lions will also stay in third in the Central Division, tied on points with Chicago Fire II and six points behind Inter Miami II.

OCB will now have a two-week break before traveling north of the border to take on Toronto FC II on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami II: Final Score 3-2 as OCB Falls To In-State Rivals

OCB fell to Inter Miami II for the third time in the last four meetings.

Published

6 days ago

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April 15, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (3-2-1, 11 points) fell 3-2 to Inter Miami II (2-3-1, 7 points) tonight at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Tyler Hall gave Miami the early lead before Tahir Reid-Brown equalized midway through the first half. Mateo Saja gave Miami back the lead just before halftime, and Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida put the game out of reach in the second half. Shak Mohammed converted a penalty in the dying moments, but it wasn’t enough as the Young Lions fell to their in-state rivals.

OCB and Inter Miami II played at IMG Academy for the second consecutive year as part of the Generation Adidas Cup. While it was a neutral site game, Miami was the designated home team.

Several OCB regulars didn’t play in this game because they’re representing the club’s U-18 team in the Generation Adidas Cup. As a result, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made six changes to the team that won 1-0 over New England Revolution II on April 9.  Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Riyon Tori, Hayden Sargis, Juan Quevedo, and Dyson Clapier entered the starting lineup for Javier Otero, Jackson Platts, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, Justin Ellis, and Thalles.

The back line in front of Mercado in goal was Reid-Brown, Abdellaoui, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Sargis and Tori were the defensive midfielders behind Clapier, Quevedo, and Jhon Solis with Mohammed up top.

Neither team was able to create anything in the first 10 minutes. The first chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Mohammed was sent over the top and behind the Miami back line. However, a heavy first touch allowed Miami goalkeeper Ivan Schmid to come off his line and collect the ball.

Three minutes later, it was the opposition that struck first. A Sargis foul in the OCB third gave Miami a set piece. Zeltzer-Zubida took the free kick, sending the ball into the box. Sargis and Bailey Sparks tried to get a touch, but it went through to the back post. Hall beat Williams to the ball, tapping it in to give Miami a 1-0 lead.

Miami nearly doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when a chip over the back line for Saja nearly fell perfectly for the attacker. However, Saja was unable to get his foot on it and Mercado collected the ball.

The Young Lions found their equalizer in the 23rd minute from an unlikely source. Solis made a long run to the end line and sent the ball in front of goal. Unfortunately, Mohammed couldn’t turn it on target. But the ball went directly to Tori. The rookie played it left to Clapier on the far side of the box, and he laid it off for Reid-Brown rather than shooting himself. The left back sent a hard, low shot through traffic and just inside the far post to even the game at 1-1.

A defensive mistake nearly gave the lead right back to Miami in the 26th minute. Williams received a pass back by Reid-Brown and immediately gave it up to Saja. The attacker was in on goal and took a shot, but Mercado did well to make the save with his left hand, pushing it wide. Miami was unable to create anything from the ensuing corner kick and the Young Lions escaped.

In the 30th minute, Taifi sent a dangerous low cross into the box. The ball went through several players before landing at the feet of Clapier. The midfielder attempted a first-touch shot, but he was falling backward and sent the attempt well over the top.

OCB had a good chance to take the lead in the 40th minute when Reid-Brown was sent down the left. The left back caught up to the ball and sent a low cross to Mohammed making a run to the near post. The forward met the ball but sent it wide.

The Young Lions felt they should’ve had a penalty in the 41st minute when Hall and Quevedo raced for a ball over the top. As they entered the box, Hall threw his arm up and into Quevedo. The OCB midfielder went down and Schmid collected the ball. But the referee determined it wasn’t a penalty.

OCB paid for its missed chances in the 44th minute when Miami retook the lead. Sparks made a run down the left and sent a hard, low cross into the box. Saja got his heel to the ball, redirecting it past Mercado and in to give Miami a 2-1 lead.

After 45 minutes, Miami had more shots (5-4), shots on target (3-1), crosses (4-2), and corner kicks (2-0). OCB had better passing accuracy (83.9%-82.3%).

The first chance of the second half came in the 50th minute when Preston Plambeck dribbled across the top of the box before shooting from distance. It looked like the shot might’ve taken a deflection off a defender, but Mercado handled the attempt.

Miami doubled its advantage in the 55th minute with a great goal by Zeltzer-Zubida. The midfielder received a pass on the left and dribbled across the top of the box, passing Taifi and Solis before unleashing a rocket. Mercado dove to his left, but he didn’t really have a chance as the ball rippled the net to give Miami a commanding 3-1 lead.

The Young Lions tried to respond, creating a chance in the 56th minute. The low cross into the box found Quevedo, who tried to guide it inside the far post. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much on the ball, sending it wide.

In the 64th minute, a Solis pass found Taifi and Mohammed, who appeared to run into each other. Fortunately, Mohammed left it for Taifi and the defender took a touch before firing from very long distance. He was trying to catch Schmid off his line but sent the attempt wide.

Solis sent Mohammed down the right in the 66th minute. The forward had to decide between shooting and sending the ball across the box. He chose the latter, but nobody was making a run and the ball went harmlessly through.

Goldberg made his first and only change of the game in the 68th minute. Zinedine Rodriguez came into for Clapier.

The Young Lions nearly found an equalizer in the 85th minute. Taifi’s corner kick was cleared away, but Solis took possession and played Taifi back down the right. The defender sent a cross into the box that found the head of Williams. The center back’s header was traveling just inside the post, but Schmid dove to his left, knocking the ball wide.

Taifi drew a foul 25 yards away from goal as the game reached second-half stoppage time. Solis stood over the ball by himself, taking the set piece. The midfielder went directly for goal, sending a strong shot towards the near post. However, Schmid dove to his left, catching the attempt.

In the third minute of stoppage time, OCB got another chance from a corner kick. The set piece was sent to the back post, where Mohammed was waiting. Unfortunately, the forward wasn’t able to get over the ball, sending it over the crossbar.

In the ninth minute of stoppage time, Taifi beat his defender and dribbled into the box. Cristian Ortiz came in from behind, taking the defender down. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, awarding OCB a penalty.

As OCB’s leading scorer, Mohammed stepped up to the spot to take the kick. The striker sent the Miami goalkeeper the wrong way, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Two minutes later, the Young Lions felt they should’ve had a chance to equalize. Taifi’s cross resulted in contact in the box. Mohammed came flying in with a high foot and was called for the foul. OCB’s team and bench appealed for a penalty on the initial pass, but the referee disagreed.

That was the last chance as the Young Lions fell to Inter Miami II for the third time in their last four meetings. OCB is now winless in five straight against Miami, not having beaten the Herons since a 1-0 win on May 25, 2023.

OCB ended the game with more shots (13-9) and corner kicks (5-2). Miami finished with the advantage in shots on target (6-5), crosses (5-4), and passing accuracy (84.2%-83.6%).

Three points would’ve seen OCB match Chattanooga FC on top of the Eastern Conference, albeit having played one more game. Instead, the Young Lions sit in second, three points off the top. They’re only one point ahead of New York Red Bulls II, having played two more games.

The Young Lions have a 12-day break before they take the field again. It’ll be a crucial game against Red Bulls II on April 27 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II: Final Score 1-0 as Young Lions Stay Unbeaten at Home

OCB took down previously undefeated New England Revolution II to move into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 9, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (3-0-1, 11 points) took down New England Revolution II (4-2-1, 8 points) 1-0 tonight at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Shak Mohammed’s 81st-minute goal was the difference as the Young Lions took all three points and remained unbeaten at home in 2025 (2-0-1).

The midweek game saw five players return to OCB from the first team after being on the bench in Philadelphia over the weekend. Javier Otero, Thomas Williams, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Mohammed entered the lineup for Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Hayden Sargis, Dylan Judelson, and Dyson Clapier.

The back line in front of Otero in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Jackson Platts, Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Guske and Jhon Solis were the defensive midfielders behind Mohammed, Justin Ellis, and Caraballo with Thalles up top.

New England was the better team for much of the game, creating more chances than the hosts. However, few of those opportunities were on frame. OCB only had one or two threatening chances in the first 80 minutes, mostly coming right at the end of the first half. But Mohammed came through when his team needed him, striking with less than 10 minutes remaining.

The first shot of the game came in the fifth minute when Marcos Dias carried the ball near the top of the OCB box and fired. But Williams stepped up and blocked the attempt with his back.

A minute later, Gevork Diarbian received a long ball on the left and took Taifi one-on-one. The attacker made a move before trying to curl the ball around the defender and Otero, but sent the shot wide of the far post.

In the eighth minute, OCB was slow to react to a header, allowing Alex Monis to take possession. He carried the ball to the end line before sending the ball toward the penalty spot. Liam Butts and Diarbian tried to get a touch on it with their backs to goal. Instead, it went to Eric Klein, whose shot was right at Otero.

OCB had its first chance in the 11th minute when Solis intercepted a pass from Hesron Barry. The midfielder sprinted down field, finding Caraballo making a run behind the New England back line. The teenager opened up to shoot with his first touch, sending the shot right into the hands of New England goalkeeper Donovan Parisian.

Revs II had a great chance in the 14th minute when Dias played Diarbian down the left. The midfielder was charging towards the end line and sent a low ball across the box. Monis was making a run into the six and slid in between Williams and Reid-Brown, but he couldn’t get on the end of the ball.

Darbian sent another ball into the box in the 24th minute. It looked like Platts was going to clear it, but the center back didn’t get much on it. The attempted clearance went directly to Dias, whose first touch was an awkward shot from his heels. The attacker wasn’t able to get much on it, sending the ball harmlessly wide.

OCB got its second chance in the 27th minute when Caraballo sent a low ball to the top of the box where Mohammed was making a run. The Young Lions’ leading scorer met the pass and tried to put his first touch on goal. However, the defender got a touch to the ball, making the block.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg was forced to make an early change in the 30th minute when Thalles went down away from the play. The forward received treatment for a few minutes before being replaced by Clapier.

Solis drew a foul in the 32nd minute in the New England third, creating a rare first-half chance for the Young Lions. He quickly played the set piece short to Mohammed who spotted Caraballo making a run into the box. New England was unprepared as Caraballo touched the ball by a sliding Barry. However, his shot was over the crossbar.

Diarbian continued to cause problems for OCB on the left, finding Dias at the top of the box in the 42nd minute. The attacker took a shot, but Guske did well to get in front of the attempt.

After defending for much of the first half, OCB finally created a few chances in the dying minutes.

A give-and-go between Taifi and Solis in the 44th minute saw the former send a cross in that was headed out for a corner kick .Caraballo took the corner kick, sending it towards the back post where Platts was waiting. He had space to put the ball on target, but failed to get a clean touch on the ball and it went out of play.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Clapier’s shot was deflected out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was towards Platts in the box. A defender got to it first, but the ball popped up instead of out. Platts got a foot to the ball but couldn’t get any power behind it, sending it directly to Parisian.

A minute later, Caraballo had a shot blocked out for a corner kick. The Young Lions couldn’t create anything from this set piece and the half ended scoreless.

At halftime, New England had more shots (9-5), but OCB had the edge in crosses (4-3), corner kicks (3-1), and passing accuracy (88%-86.4%). Meanwhile, both teams put one chance on target.

“We talked in halftime that the game was very even,” Goldberg said about his halftime speech. “So, we said it’s about wanting it just a little bit more than them. And that’s what we tried to do.”

The second half got off to a much slower start. Both teams tried to create attacks but were unable to get anything from them.

Goldberg made his second change in the 55th minute. Riyon Tori came into the game for Ellis.

Shortly after the substitution, Butts created a chance with little space. The attacker looked to be covered, but he found enough space for a shot. It forced Otero to make a block with one hand, sending the ball out of play.

Butts had another chance in the 59th minute when Dias carried the ball to the end line. Dias played it back for Butts near the top of the six-yard box, and Butts’ first touch was a shot, but it went wide of the near post.

Solis gave the ball away to Olger Escobar in the 71st minute, creating another chance for New England. Damorney Hutchinson took possession on the right, trying to beat Otero to his near post. But his shot was blocked into the outside of the net.

Guske found Taifi on the right side of the box in the 74th minute. The defender was able to find enough space for a shot, but couldn’t get over it, sending his shot over the crossbar.

Goldberg made his final change in the 78th minute. It was a defensive change as Sargis came into the game for Caraballo. Taifi moved from right back to right midfield to make room.

OCB didn’t have many quality chances in this game, but the Young Lions took the lead in the 81st minute. Platts received the ball on the right in a seemingly innocuous position. He sent Mohammed between Gabriel Dahlin and Victor Souza. Dahlin’s hand went up, but the assistant referee determined the forward was onside. Mohammed slipped the ball through Parisian — who got a touch on it but couldn’t keep it out — to give OCB the lead.

“I tried the pass before. I had the space to beat the left winger, so it was a big touch. Then Shak obviously made the run,” Platts said about his assist. “First pass, he told me to play it earlier. So, next time I saw him I just played it earlier. And it was a goal.”

It was the first goal conceded by New England in nearly four full games to start the 2025 season.

It looked like the visitors might find an equalizer in the 84th minute when Escobar kept possession under pressure and laid it off for Allan Oyirworth. The midfielder had space for a shot, but Sargis got in the way to block it.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Judah Siqueira lifted the ball into the box for Hutchinson. Platts was against his back and Hutchinson went down. However, there was minimal if any contact. While New England appealed for a penalty, the referee correctly didn’t award one.

New England ended the game with more shots (15-9), shots on target (4-3), and crosses (8-4). OCB had better passing accuracy (87.9%-84.2%) and the all-important goal. Both teams ended up with five corner kicks.

“We knew it was going to be tough. That’s why they were undefeated,” Goldberg said about the game. “That’s why they haven’t received goals. So, we knew it was going to be tough.”

The win moves the Young Lions into a tie for first place with Chattanooga FC atop the Eastern Conference on points. However, the Tennessee-based independent club has a game in hand and the all-important tiebreaker in goal differential.

OCB will take the field again on Tuesday against rival Inter Miami CF II. The game will  be at IMG Academy in Bradenton, but OCB is the designated away team.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B’s Loss to Chattanooga Shows Impact Of Shak Mohammed

Shak Mohammed’s importance to OCB was on display in Saturday night’s loss in Chattanooga.

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 7, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B faced an independent team Saturday night, putting the Young Lions in a unique position. When they face fellow reserve sides, the games are usually the day after the first team plays. But Saturday night’s game was at the same time, and it showed issues in the OCB attack.

Chattanooga FC is one of two independent teams currently playing in MLS NEXT Pro. As you would expect, the Tennessee-based side plays most of its home games on Saturday nights, when they can draw bigger crowds.  Unfortunately, that means the Young Lions took the field the same night as the senior side, kicking off just 30 minutes prior to the MLS squad’s match in Philadelphia.

A lack of bodies for the first team meant multiple OCB regulars had to join the senior Lions for their trip to Philadelphia. The biggest loss for the game in Chattanooga was undoubtedly Shak Mohammed, who started on the bench for Orlando City.

While Mohammed has yet to claim his place with the first team, he’s made a major impact on the second team. His 11 goals last season led the Young Lions, and he has the team lead in goals this season with two in the first three games, including a goal in each of the two previous contests.

The 21-year-old’s absence was apparent Saturday night in Tennessee. Justin Ellis started in the position Mohammed usuallly occupies with Thalles starting up top. Meanwhile, Zakaria Taifi moved from his usual defensive position into the attacking midfield.

All three players had chances early in the game. While Ellis played the distributor, Thalles and Taifi had clear chances in the first 45 minutes. However, neither player was able to put the ball past Chattanooga goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, who had seven saves on the night.

The missed opportunities showed an issue that OCB might face in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. The better Mohammed plays, the more likely he is to be with the first team. This usually won’t be a problem, as the two teams rarely play on the same days. But you can’t depend on that for the team’s success this season.

If OCB wants to improve on the 2024 campaign and win a postseason game for the first time in team history, the Young Lions will need others in the attack to step up. Otherwise, it could be frustrating nights when Mohammed is unavailable.

The lack of offensive efficiency Saturday night also showed how good Mohammed has been with the second team. Obviously, the third-division league is a much lower quality than the first-division MLS, but it leads to a question about Mohammed’s future in Orlando.

The forward was a first-round selection out of Duke in 2023. The Lions gave up Ruan in a trade with D.C. United to move up in the MLS SuperDraft, taking Mohammed with the second overall pick. Now in his third professional season, he hasn’t made the impression you’d expect from someone taken so high.

To be fair, we were seeing this with Jack Lynn as well. The 2022 first-round MLS SuperDraft pick was tearing it up in MLS NEXT Pro without seeing much time with the first team. However, he was clearly taking positive steps and was beginning to play a bigger role before retiring this past off-season.

Lynn’s departure left a spot Mohammed could fill for both teams, and he’s done a good job with OCB. His 11 goals showed a significant increase from his six goals for the Young Lions in 2023, despite only playing in two more games. Now, he just needs to show improvement with the first team.

Saturday night’s disappointing offensive performance by OCB showed Mohammed’s impact in the attack. While the Young Lions are a dangerous team with the Ghanaian in the lineup, nobody stepped up to fill his production in Chattanooga, resulting in the team’s first loss of the season. It showed the impact the attacker has had on the team this year and the improvements of his game.

Watching Moahmmed the remainder of the season will be interesting. Will he finally make the jump to appearing regularly with the first team? Will Ellis or Thalles fill Moahmmed’s production when he’s away? We should find out these answers in the near future.

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