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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Rochester New York FC: Final Score 5-2 as OCB Dominates

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2 years ago

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KISSIMMEE — Orlando City B (6-10-3, 23 points) used a first-team heavy squad to down Rochester New York FC (7-7-5, 30 points) 5-2 at Osceola County Stadium. Jesus Baitz gave the visitors a 25th-minute lead, but OCB scored five unanswered goals through Tesho Akindele, Jack Lynn, Wilder Cartagena, Ivan Angulo, and Favian Loyola. Bubacar Djalo got one back for Rochester but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Young Lions took all three points, winning their second straight match.

The midweek kickoff gave Orlando City the opportunity to give some first-team players that usually don’t start some minutes. Nine players in the starting lineup were first-team players, including Mason Stajduhar, Mikey Halliday, Rodrigo Schlegel, Thomas Williams, Cartagena, Jake Mulraney, Niko Gioacchini, Angulo, and Akindele. The only two full-time OCB players in the starting lineup were Ignacio Galvan and Erick Gunera.

“We’re one team, mentally,” OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman said about the largely first-team squad. “First team’s priority, as I always say, but everybody at OCB is so proud to receive those guys to start helping. We worked all together this week. It’s amazing working here with our first-team staff and our first-team players.”

“It’s really good to get them integrated into the system and get some familiarity at this level,” Lynn added about including some of the newest players. “Before we try to put it on the field with the first team.”

Despite several first-team players in the starting lineup, OCB got off to a slow start. Rochester got the first chance of the game and got on the board first. However, OCB took over after the goal. Angulo’s and Gioacchini’s MLS ability shined as the two dominated most of their time on the field.

Rochester’s first chance came in the second minute when Ian Garrett took a shot from the top of the box. The shot was blocked but went right to Baitz, who immediately looked to cross the ball. However, it was too close to Stajduhar, who made the catch.

OCB appeared to get its first chance in the 10th minute when Mulraney sent Akindele through on goal. The forward put the ball in, but the assistant’s flag was up for offside.

The visitors felt as though they should’ve had a penalty in the 19th minute when Gilbran Rayo carried the ball into the box and went down. It appeared as though there was contact from behind by a defender, but referee Catherine McCormick told the players to play on.

Rochester was the first to break through in the 25th minute. Quick passing by Pedro Dalabella and Edward Williams allowed the latter to send Baitz through in the box. Halliday was challenging Baitz but the forward was able to hold off the right back, putting it past Stajduhar for the opening goal.

It didn’t take long for OCB to respond and it appeared the Young Lions had evened up the contest in the 29th minute. Mulraney lifted a ball over the top for Angulo and the midfielder put it past Caique to even the game at 1-1. However, Rochester’s players were adamant that Angulo was offside. McCormick went to the far side to discuss the play with assistant Miguel Martes, which resulted in Martes belatedly raising his flag for offside, although it wasn’t during play and there is no video review in MLS NEXT Pro.

Mulraney nearly had a chance himself when Gioacchini found him at the top of the box. The midfielder dribbled inside, looking for enough space to take a shot. He created enough room for an attempt, but sent it just over the crossbar.

In the 34th minute, OCB put it past Caique again, but this time it counted. It started when Schlegel took the ball off a Rochester player on the opposing side of the field. Gioacchini quickly picked up the ball and played Schlegel into the box. The center back sent it across for Akindele, who tapped it home to even the game at 1-1.

The entire first team not in the OCB side tonight were in the stands after training to support their teammates. They especially enjoyed the run forward by Schlegel, cheering him on as he ran back to his center back position.

OCB had a good chance to take the lead in the 42nd minute when Mulraney was taken down by Lamar Batista just outside of the box. Akindele went for goal from the set piece, but sent it well over the crossbar.

A minute into first-half injury time, Rochester players again felt as though they should’ve had a penalty. This time it was Pedro Dalabella that went down, but there was less contact than the first penalty claim, and it was the same result as no foul was called.

At the half, OCB had more possession (55.7%-44.3%), corners (2-1), and crosses (5-4), but fewer shots taken (5-4). Meanwhile, both teams had one shot on target and both were goals.

Perelman made one change at the break, replacing Akindele with the team’s leading scorer, Lynn. The substitution had an immediate impact as OCB took the lead just two minutes into the second half.

This goal started on the OCB side of the field when Lynn was fouled by Gerardo Lopez. Mulraney took the kick quickly, sending it forward for Gioacchini, who was making a run. The midfielder could’ve shot himself, but decided to play it across to Lynn at the back post, allowing the striker to knock it in and give OCB a 2-1 lead.

It was Lynn’s 15th goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season, tying him with Columbus Crew 2’s Jacen Russell-Rowe for the league lead.

“On the goal, the ball was played up to me,” Lynn said about his goal. “Just tried to do my job and hold the ball up. Drew the foul and then we knew there was space in behind so we just played a quick one and I just busted my ass to get to the far post and tap it in.”

OCB extended its lead 11 minutes later off a set piece. Gioacchini was fouled just outside the box by Michael Smith, resulting in the latter getting booked. The set piece was in nearly the exact spot that Akindele took earlier in the game, but this time Mulraney stood over the ball. Rather than shooting on goal, Mulraney sent the ball to the back post, where Cartagena got his head to it, putting it past Caique to give the Young Lions a 3-1 lead.

In the 63rd minute, Lynn made a good run to the top of the Rochester box. He had Gioacchini on his left, but decided to carry the ball across the top of the box instead. Shortly after, it was taken away and a good opportunity by OCB went by the wayside.

The Young Lions got their fourth goal in the 68th minute when Djalo took down Gioacchini just outside of the box. It was in nearly the same spot as the previous two free kicks, but this time Angulo stepped up to take it. The Colombian sent the set piece around the wall and towards the far post. Caique couldn’t pick it up until it was too late and it snuck inside the post to make it 4-1.

After the goal, Loyola came on for Mulraney, and it didn’t take long for the teenager to make a difference. Just after the kickoff, Lynn won the ball back and sent Loyola through on goal. The academy product didn’t make any mistakes, putting it past Caique to give OCB a 5-1 lead.

“I’ve been really impressed with him,” Lynn said about Loyola. “He’s someone that kind of came into the group halfway through the year, once (the U-17 team) finished their season, and he’s just been lighting it up since he’s been here. As you can see, he’s got a wand of a left foot. So if you just give him one-v-one situations, he’s going to score.”

Three minutes after OCB’s fifth goal, Rochester got one back. Galvan fouled Wilterlynd Inalien about 35 yards out and on the right side of the field. Gabriel Costa sent a long ball towards the back post that was met by Djalo, who put it in to make it a 5-2 game.

The Young Lions had a chance to make it six when Williams found Angulo in the box. The midfielder took a shot, looking for his second goal of the night, but it went wide of the target.

In the 86th minute, Neicer Acosta, who had come on for Angulo four minutes earlier, was sent through on the left. Caique came out of his goal and it looked like Acosta might chip the goalkeeper, but Caique got enough of the ball to block it away, keeping his team’s deficit at three.

As time wound down, the result was a foregone conclusion. However, Rochester did create a few chances in the dying moments. In the 90th minute, Gabriel Costa took a shot from the top of the box. He had enough space to put it on target, but it was right at Stajduhar, who made the catch.

In the final seconds of the game, Costa took a shot that was deflected and appeared to be going wide. But Stajduhar wanted to make sure, so he dove and tipped it out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece ended up at the foot of Djalo, who shot but hit it well over the target.

In the end, OCB ended up with more possession (56.6%-43.4%), corners (5-2), crosses (12-7), and completed more of their passes (83%-73.8%). While the teams had the same number of shots in the game (12-12), OCB put more on target (6-4).

“I’m really happy for our one team, mentally,” Perelman said after the game. “We joined rosters for today. Everybody helped each other. It’s a really good message from our club. We work all together but first team’s priority and I’m happy today because both rosters did a great game together.”

With these three points, the Young Lions remain in eighth place. They move closer to Philadelphia Union II, but are still five points back. They also remain in third in the Central Division and are six points behind Inter Miami II.

OCB will return to action Saturday night when it hosts Columbus Crew 2 at Osceola County Stadium, kicking off at 7 p.m.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Season

Find out where, when, and who the Young Lions of OCB will play in 2025.

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2 days ago

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January 27, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was released this afternoon, telling us where, when, and who Orlando City B will play in the team’s fourth year in the league. The league will again feature 29 teams in 2025, with three teams set to enter the league next year. There are 27 MLS affiliated clubs in the league and two independents — Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC.

The schedule remains at 28 games, with Orlando City B playing 14 at home, 13 away, and one at a neutral site at IMG Academy in Bradenton. OCB home games will take place at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee again this season.

OCB will start the 2024 season with a two-game home stand, opening the season on Sunday, March 9 against Columbus Crew 2 at 7 p.m. A week later, Atlanta United 2 will visit Osceola County Stadium. The Young Lions will then hit the road for the team’s first two away games starting Wednesday, March 26 at Crown Legacy FC and following with a match at Chattanooga FC on Saturday, April 5.

In addition to opening the season at home, OCB will close the regular season by hosting FC Cincinnati 2 at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5. Last year, the Young Lions opened and closed the season on the road. All Decision Day games in the Eastern Conference will start at 1 p.m. and all Western Conference matches will kick off at 4 p.m. (ET).

OCB will compete in the 15-team Eastern Conference as part of the Southeast Division. The other teams in the division are Atlanta, Carolina Core, Chattanooga, Crown Legacy, Huntsville City, and rival Inter Miami II. The reserve version of the Tropic Thunder rivalry will play out over three meetings in 2025. The Young Lions will travel IMG Academy to face the Baby Herons on April 15, with the home match in Kissimmee coming May 17. The teams will meet again in Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 14.

MLS NEXT Pro teams will again only play opponents from their own conference, limiting travel. The Young Lions will play each team in the Southeast Division three times, including Atlanta United 2, and Chattanooga twice at home and once away, and Carolina Core, Crown Legacy, and Huntsville City once each at home and twice away. OCB will play the teams from the Northeast Division once, except Columbus and New England, which the Young Lions will face both at home and away. Orlando City B will face FC Cincinnati 2, New York City FC II, New York Red Bulls II, and Toronto FC II only at home in the regular season, while facing Chicago Fire II and Philadelphia Union II only on the road.

The busiest months for OCB this season will be June and August, when the Young Lions will play five matches. They’ll play four times in April and July, three times in March, May, and September, and once in October. The most common day the Young Lions will play is on Sunday (13 games). Additionally, they have five games on Saturday, four games each on Wednesday and Friday, and one game each on Monday and Tuesday. The most common kickoff time is 7 p.m.. The Young Lions will play 18 games with that start time, three times each at 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8 p.m., and once at 1 p.m. (Decision Day).

Once again, the postseason will include 15 games this year, concluding with the MLS NEXT Pro Cup. The higher playoff seeds will again select their opponents for the matchups in the first two rounds.

The majority of regular season games and all playoff games will again air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The remaining games will be streamed live on mlsnextpro.com.

As far as viewing conflicts go for Orlando City and Pride fans, there are a few overlaps in 2025. OCB plays at 7 p.m. on April 5 at Chattanooga with the MLS Lions playing at 7:30 p.m. at Philadelphia that night. On May 23, OCB plays at Atlanta United 2 at 7:30 p.m. and the Pride and Royals kick off in Utah at 9:30 p.m. just as that game is concluding. On June 25, OCB plays at home at 7 p.m. against Toronto FC II, with Orlando City at St. Louis City at 8:30 p.m. OCB’s game July 25 at Huntsville City will kick off 30 minutes after the senior side begins playing at Columbus. The Young Lions start at home on Aug. 3 against NYCFCII an hour after the Pride and Utah Royals kick off at Inter&Co Stadium. OCB and the Pride are both home on Aug. 9 as well, with the Young Lions and Chattanooga getting underway at 7 p.m. at Osceola County Stadium, just 30 minutes before the Pride and Racing Louisville battle at Inter&Co Stadium. On Aug. 23, OCB will play at 7 p.m. at home against Atlanta United 2, with the senior Lions and Nashville SC kicking off at 8:30 p.m.

Orlando City B’s 2025 Schedule

  • Sunday, March 9 — vs. Columbus Crew 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 16 — vs. Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 26 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 5 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 9 — vs. New England Revolution II, 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 15 — vs. Inter Miami II (at IMG Academy in Bradenton), 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 27 — vs. New York Red Bulls II, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, May 2 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 17 — vs. Inter Miami II, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, May 23 — at Atlanta United 2, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 1 — vs. Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, June 6 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 11 — at Carolina Core FC, 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 25 — vs. Toronto FC, 7 p.m.
  • Monday, June 30 — at Philadelphia Union II, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 6 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 13 — vs. Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 20 — at New England Revolution II, 3 p.m.
  • Friday, July 25 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 3 — vs. New York City FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 9 — vs. Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 17 — at Columbus Crew 2, 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 23 — vs. Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 31 — vs. Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 14 — at Inter Miami II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 21 — vs. Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 27 — at Carolina Core FC, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 5 — vs. FC Cincinnati 2, 1 p.m.
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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Signs Goalkeeper Tristan Himes

The 24-year-old former academy goalkeeper returns to the club after a four-year collegiate career.

Published

3 weeks ago

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January 8, 2025

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

Orlando City announced this afternoon that the club has signed former academy goalkeeper Tristan Himes to an MLS NEXT Pro contract to play with the club’s reserve side, Orlando City B. The 24-year-old returns to the club following the conclusion of his collegiate career.

“This is an exciting first step for us this year on the path to achieving our goals for 2025 and beyond,” Orlando City Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “Tristan is a player that is homegrown, that we’ve seen develop in our academy here in Orlando, and a bright young player. He’s someone whose path took him to play and get more experience in college and now we’re excited to bring him back home to Central Florida.”

The DeBary native attended the University of South Carolina after his time in the Orlando City Academy, making seven appearances in two seasons. He conceded 13 goals in 546 minutes while making 22 saves. He stopped 62.9% of his shots faced for the Gamecocks, recording one shutout and an assist. The goalkeeper played 543 minutes during his freshman season but only three minutes during his sophomore campaign, coming off the bench on Oct. 1, 2022, against West Virginia.

Himes transferred to Coastal Carolina University for his junior season but was forced to sit out all of 2023 due to injury. He returned for his senior campaign, making 10 appearances and playing 855 minutes while conceding 20 goals and making 35 saves. He finished his time with the Chanticleers completing two shutouts while recording a 2.11 goals-against average and stopping 63.6% of his 122 shots faced.

Despite coming through the Orlando City Academy, the goalkeeper was eligible for the 2025 MLS SuperDraft but wasn’t selected. The signing is the first in a string of expected deals as the club looks to rebuild its MLS NEXT Pro roster. Following the 2024 season, the contracts of six of the 10 players on MLS NEXT Pro deals expired.

Himes’ signing could see him replace Carlos Mercado, who started the majority of OCB’s games in 2024. The goalkeeper eventually signed a first-team deal late in the season, but his option was declined by the club. Depending on the recovery of first-team backup goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, Himes could start for the Young Lions or will play behind Homegrown product Javier Otero.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Roster Status Following 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season

Only three OCB players are still under MLS NEXT Pro contracts for the 2025 season.

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1 month ago

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December 16, 2024

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Image courtesy or Orlando City B

Orlando City B announced the roster status of its players following the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Most of the team was made up of players on first-team and academy contracts, so little of the squad will change. However, the club has updated the status of players on MLS NEXT Pro deals.

Of the 10 players on MLS NEXT Pro contracts in 2024, six saw their deals expire at the end of the year. Those players include forwards Wilfredo Rivera and Yeiler Valencia; midfielders Imanol Almaguer and Diego Pareja; and defenders Manuel Cocca and Nabi Kibunguchy.

“First, I want to start by thanking all of the players who are leaving us at the end of this year. Their hard work and dedication has continued to push this club even further forward, and we are grateful for all they’ve done,” Orlando City SC Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “This was another year of progress for Orlando City B with the team qualifying for the playoffs for the second-straight year, and we saw a lot of growth among the players, especially in their own individual development, which is our ultimate goal. Heading into 2025, we have high goals for OCB and are excited to reset and begin the work to reach the next steps in this project.”

While the majority of the players are out of contract, three are still under MLS NEXT Pro deals for 2025. Those players are midfielders Gustavo Caraballo and Jhon Solis and defender Zakaria Taifi.

Additionally, the club announced earlier today that Colin Guske — who was also on an MLS NEXT Pro deal — has signed a Homegrown Player contract with the first team. He’ll likely be a regular with OCB next season.

What It Means for Orlando City B

While the contracts have expired on six players, that doesn’t mean their time in Orlando is over. Rivera was on a first-team Homegrown contract in 2023 and the club didn’t pick up his option. He was subsequently signed to OCB for the 2024 season. He’s only 21 years old and has signed short-term deals with the first team, so he could still return next season.

Rivera is one of the more likely players out of contract to return in 2025. Perhaps the least likely to return is Kibunguchy, who will be 27 when the 2025 season starts. Almaguer took over the captaincy in 2024 after the departure of Juninho, and the club could keep him around for his leadership qualities. However, OCB could also make the same decision it did after 2023 and hand off the armband to someone else, possibly Solis.

Regardless of the decisions made on these players, the 2025 OCB roster will be made up primarily of players on first-team contracts and academy players. The youngest probably won’t be signed to professional contracts, allowing them to maintain their college eligibility. As a result, the majority of the roster will return and we’ll see new up-and-coming talent next season.

Post-2024 Orlando City B Player Contract Statuses

(Current club players in italics)

  • Imangol Almaguer — Out of Contract
  • Gustavo Caraballo — Under Contract
  • Manuel Cocca — Out of Contract
  • Colin Guske — Signed to First Team
  • Nabi Kibunguchy — Out of Contract
  • Diego Pareja — Out of Contract
  • Wilfredo Rivera — Out of Contract
  • Jhon Solis — Under Contract
  • Zakaria Taifi — Under Contract
  • Yeiler Valencia — Out of Contract

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