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Orlando City B vs. NYCFC II: Final Score 2-2 as OCB Takes Two Points at Home

OCB squandered a 2-0 first-half lead to draw NYCFC II 2-2, but took away two points by winning the penalty shootout.

Published

2 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

KISSIMMEE — Orlando City B (3-1-1, 11 points) remains unbeaten at home in 2023 after drawing 2-2 with NYCFC II (2-1-1, 7 points) tonight at Osceola County Stadium. Defender Nabi Kibunguchy scored a first-half brace, but NYCFC II responded with goals by Samuel Owusu late in the first half and Nicholas Benalcazar in the closing minutes. Penalties decided who would get the extra point, and the Young Lions took the shootout, 8-7.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made three changes to the team that lost 3-1 to Atlanta United 2 last weekend. Thomas Williams, Tahir Reid-Brown, and Jack Lynn weren’t in the starting lineup, replaced by Abdi Salim, Moises Tablante, and Cristofer Acuna. Salim rejoined the lineup after missing last weekend’s game while being examined for an injury during training.

The back four in front of Javier Otero was Alex Freeman, Salim, Kibunguchy, and Tablante. Imanol Almaguer, Cristian Medina, Jhon Solis, and Juninho were in the midfield, with Favian Loyola and Acuna up top.

Perelman has put an emphasis on his team starting games quickly and the Young Lions did it again in this one, putting NYCFC II on the back foot early. The first chance came in the seventh minute, when Tablante took a shot from outside of the box, but it was over the target.

They almost had a second chance in the ninth minute when Tablante sent a low cross into the six after a good run into the box from the left. But nobody in purple was closing in and the visitors were able to clear.

In the 10th minute, Stephen Turnbull fouled Tablante just outside of the NYCFC II box. Medina stepped up to take the kick and went directly for goal, but his shot was just over the crossbar.

Receiving the ball near his own box in the 16th minute, Medina sent a great long ball at shin level that sent Tablante behind the NYCFC II defense. It looked like the attacker would have a breakaway on goal, but the assistant’s flag was up for offside.

The first decent chance for NYCFC II came in the 19th minute, when Turnbull received the ball on the right from Benalcazar. He sent a curling cross into the OCB box, but it was too close to Otero, allowing him to catch it.

The Young Lions finally broke through in the 21st minute. A short free kick allowed Almaguer to send the ball into the box. Freeman and Alex Rando challenged for the 50-50 ball with Freeman getting his head to it first. The right back was able to flick the ball behind the goalkeeper where Kibunguchy was running on and headed it in to give the Young Lions a 1-0 lead.

NYCFC II tried to pull one back two minutes later when Turnbull made a good run into the OCB box. He avoided a stray leg, staying on his feet, and played it across for John Denis, who shot. But it was blocked and OCB cleared.

In the 26th minute, Juninho tried to double the OCB lead, dribbling into the NYCFC II box. He got a shot off, but Rando was able to block it out of play.

The ensuing corner by Medina was to the top of the box where Kibunguchy was waiting. The center back got off a surprisingly strong header, sending it past Rando for his second goal of the game and giving the Young Lions a 2-0 lead.

Three minutes after the goal, Medina found Loyola, who quickly played Acuna into the box. The forward shot on goal, but it was blocked out of play by Benalcazar for another OCB corner. Again, Medina’s corner found the head of Kibunguchy, but this time he had a defender on him and the header was over the crossbar.

NYCFC II finally got another shot off in the 35th minute, when a give-and-go between Piero Elias and Denis provided enough space for Elias to shoot. Fortunately, it was right at Otero, enabling him to make an easy save.

OCB nearly had a chance in the 37th minute when Tablante played a low cross for Acuna, who was charging into the NYCFC II box. But it was a little too far for the forward and Rando was able to collect it.

In the 41st minute, Tablante took a shot from the left of goal that was blocked. NYCFC II was unable to clear, and Tablante beat the defenders to the free ball just outside of the box. He took a sliding shot as he attempted to get to the ball first, but sent it off target.

A minute later, Denis almost got one back for the visitors when he dribbled into the OCB box from the left. Otero was defending his near post, so Denis attempted to curl the ball inside the far side. It was a good attempt and he didn’t miss by much, hitting it just wide.

The fourth official showed one minute of first-half injury time and that was enough for NYCFC II to get a goal back. It started with a strong run by Turnbull, who split two OCB defenders to get into the box. Despite the OCB players disagreeing, the referee said the ball went out off of Tablante, giving NYCFC II a last-second corner kick.

The corner by Denis was to the top of the box where Owusu was waiting. It was a great scissor kick by the center back, who volleyed the ball past Otero to cut the OCB lead in half.

That was the last play of the first period, as OCB didn’t even have time to kick off and took a 2-1 lead into the break.

The late-half surge by the visitors resulted in NYCFC II having more first-half possession (55.6%-44.4%). However, OCB had more shots (9-8), shots on target (4-2), and corners (2-1), one of which resulted in a goal. Additionally, NYCFC II had more crosses (5-2) and passing accuracy (80.2%-74.4%).

OCB made two changes to start the second half, bringing on a pair of first-team players, as Almaguer and Acuna made way for Shak Mohammed and Jack Lynn.

While OCB was the more aggressive team to start the first half, NYCFC II got off to the better second-half start. In the 48th minute, Benalcazar found Elias just outside of the OCB box. The midfielder dribbled inside the 18 and took a low, strong shot on goal. But Otero was up to the challenge, getting down to block the attempt away for a corner kick.

They had another chance in the 58th minute, when Turnbull dribbled into the OCB box and played Maximo Carrizo behind the defense. The midfielder opened his hips and aimed for the back post, where Otero couldn’t cover. The shot wasn’t far off, skipping just past the far post.

Perelman made his third and fourth substitutions at the hour mark and it was another pair of first-team players. This time, Medina and Loyola were replaced by Thomas Williams and Wilfredo Rivera. It was a defensive change as the Young Lions went to five defenders, with three center backs, trying to maintain their one-goal lead.

Already chasing an equalizer, the situation got worse for NYCFC II in the 74th minute when Owusu, who had been booked in the 28th minute, took down Juninho from behind. The referee didn’t hesitate to bring out a second yellow, sending off NYCFC II’s first-half goalscorer.

Freeman’s ensuing free kick was blocked by Jonathan Jimenez. The OCB players wanted a handball in the box, but the referee disagreed.

With a man advantage, OCB put some attacking pressure on the NYCFC II defense and created a good chance in the 77th minute when Tablante laid the ball off for Lynn. The striker’s shot was from just outside of the box and appeared to be headed toward the bottom right corner of the goal. But Rando got down and made the stop.

Despite being down a man, NYCFC II found their equalizer in the 81st minute. Juninho fouled Denis outside of the OCB box, providing a set piece for the visitors. Denis’ free kick was a hard strike over the hands of Otero and slammed off the crossbar. Unfortunately, it went right to Benalcazar, and the NYCFC II captain headed it to the far post for the equalizing goal.

NYCFC II had more possession and was creating more chances despite being a man down and it got better for the visitors when Mohammed fouled Christian McFarlane near midfield. The challenge resulted in Mohammed’s second yellow card of the night and both teams were down to 10 men.

It looked like NYCFC II would claim all three points when a poor challenge by Williams resulted in Jack Beer going to the ground. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, awarding NYCFC II a penalty.

Denis stepped up and sent the ball towards the bottom left corner. Otero guessed correctly, but it didn’t appear as though he was quick enough to get to it. Fortunately, the penalty was wide of the goal, keeping the score at 2-2.

In the fourth and final minute of injury time, there was a scramble in the OCB box as NYCFC II searched for a winner. Denis was able to get an off-balance shot off, but it was blocked by a group of defenders. 

That was the last chance of the game as the teams drew 2-2.  After 90 minutes, NYCFC II had more possession (56.8%-43.2%), shots (14-11), crosses (7-4), and accurate passes (82.7%-76.5%). Meanwhile, OCB had more shots on target (5-4).

However, MLS NEXT Pro rules state that draws go to penalties to decide which team gets an extra point in the standings. It was OCB’s first draw and penalty shootout of the 2023 season.

The shootout started out with some excellent conversions by both teams. The first six shooters scored before Tablante stepped up to start the fourth round. Rando guessed correctly, diving to his right to make the stop.

The next shooter was Matthew Myers. OCB has depended on Otero to make big saves from the spot on several occasions over the last few years, and he came up big again, knocking Myers’ attempt away to keep the shootout at 3-3.

After Zakaria Taifi converted, Ronald Arevalo was up. The penalty hit the crossbar and the OCB players sprinted towards the hero goalkeeper. However, the assistant referee determined that the ball crossed the line, allowing the NYCFC II players to celebrate instead.

Freeman was the next to shoot and it looked like Rando might’ve won it for the visitors when he got his hand to it. But it was a strong strike by the Homegrown Player, so Rando’s one hand couldn’t keep it out.

After former Lion Rio Hope-Gund converted to tie it back up, the next five players were successful. It was 8-7 when McFarlane stepped up to take his attempt. Otero dove to his left and got both hands behind the ball to keep it out of the net. As a result, OCB took two points from the game.

“It was a tough match as we imagined. They are a good team.,” Perelman said after the game. They have too much time playing together. They had a good, organized gameplay. There were moments in the first half where I really liked the team, the way we played. We have to control the game, especially when we’re winning.”

While the Young Lions will celebrate winning the shootout, they’ll be disappointed to not claim all three points. They were the better team during the first half and held a lead and had a man advantage late in the second half. But the visitors controlled the second 45 minutes, keeping OCB under constant pressure.

The Young Lions will look to keep their strong form going next Sunday when they welcome Toronto FC II to Osceola County Stadium.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Signs Bernardo Rhein, Justin Ellis to MLS NEXT Pro Deals

OCB adds two signees ahead of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season.

Published

1 week ago

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February 13, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City B announced this morning that the club has signed two Orlando City Academy players — midfielder Bernardo Rhein and forward Justin Ellis — to MLS NEXT Pro contracts. Rhein signed through 2025 with a club option for 2026, with Ellis’ deal running through 2026. Both players featured Saturday night in Orlando City’s preseason scrimmage against CF Montreal.

“Bernardo and Justin are two more great examples of young players that have shown belief and trust in the development pathway we have set up here at Orlando City,” Orlando City SC Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “By signing with OCB, Justin and Bernardo have shown trust in us, the pathway, and in Head Coach Manuel Goldberg. They both put in the work since their early academy days; took the opportunities that they were given to continue developing their skill sets; and have shown us that they’re ready to take the next step along that pathway, and we’re excited to see how they both continue to progress these next few years.”

The 17-year-old Rhein (known as Bernardo Goncalves in 2024), appeared in six matches with OCB a year ago, coming off the bench each time and playing a total of 33 minutes. The Windermere native and Brazilian national did not record a goal contribution, attempting one shot, which he put on target, and completing 81.8% of his 22 pass attempts. Rhein subbed on for the latter stages of Saturday’s preseason scrimmage against Montreal and looked good, getting himself into scoring position but firing just over the bar in the extra 30-minute sesson.

Ellis, also 17, appeared in 18 matches with OCB in 2024 (three starts), scoring two goals and putting eight of his 13 shots on target. He did not record an assist, but passed well from the forward position, logging three key passes and completing 76.7% of his total pass attempts. The Wellington native traveled with the MLS squad to Mexico for the team’s week-long camp in Cancun. On the international stage, Ellis was called up to the U-18 USMNT in September, scoring two goals in two appearances.

What It Means for OCB

This is positive news for both OCB and the Orlando City Academy. Ellis was a regular contributor last season at a young age, while Rhein got his feet wet with a few appearances at the MLS NEXT Pro level. At just 17, both have shown a lot of potential upside already. Ellis will turn 18 in May, while Rhein won’t reach his 18th birthday until Sept. 21. Both will get a chance to further their development with OCB.

While neither player will be expected to make an impact with the first team in 2025, Duncan McGuire’s injury absence may require Shak Mohammed to spend more time with the first team, meaning Ellis would be in line to get more minutes with the Young Lions in the early part of the season.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract

Carlos Mercado signs a new contract to remain Orlando City’s third-choice goalkeeper.

Published

3 weeks ago

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January 30, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City announced this morning that the club has signed goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a new contract. The deal is through the 2025 season with club options for 2026 and 2027.

“Carlos did a great job for us last year with Orlando City B and continued to provide a positive work ethic and atmosphere every day in training up with the first team and showed his skill and ability to compete every chance he got,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He’s part of a strong goalkeeping unit here at the club and we feel confident in the future of that entire position group moving forward.”

Mercado originally joined Orlando City prior to the 2024 season to back up Javier Otero. However, when Mason Stajduhar broke his tibia and fibula in a June 28 game against New York City FC, Otero became the primary backup to Pedro Gallese and Mercado was the starter for the Young Lions.

In his debut season in purple, Mercado started 20 games — including a playoff game in Chicago — playing 1,830 minutes. He conceded 30 goals for a goals-against average of 1.48 and saved 81 of 111 shots faced for a save percentage of 73%. He kept three clean sheets and compiled a record of 9-5-6 (W-L-D) while saving two of the four penalties he faced in regular play.

The 25-year-old signed a short-term deal following Stajduhar’s injury with his lone game on the team sheet being on the bench for a July 3 game against Toronto FC. He went on to sign a first-team contract on Sept. 20 through the 2024 season with options for 2025, 2026, and 2027. However, his 2025 option was declined following the season.

Mercado played for the FC Dallas academy in his youth, earning call-ups to the United States U-16 National Team and Mexico U-18 National Team. He played collegiately at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, before joining San Antonio FC of the USL Championship.

The goalkeeper made his professional debut in 2021, coming on for the final 29 minutes in a 3-0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. He stayed with San Antonio FC through the 2023 season before joining OCB.

What It Means for Orlando City

As previously mentioned, Mercado’s option for 2025 was declined following the 2024 MLS season since the club already had three other goalkeepers. However, signing another goalkeeper became necessary when Orlando City traded Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake on Jan. 15, leaving the club with two under contract.

Mercado will likely continue to be the club’s third goalkeeper and is the presumed starter for Orlando City B when the MLS NEXT Pro season starts in March. He’ll have to join the first team if Gallese goes away on international duty with Peru and Otero enters the starting lineup. Barring unavailability of Gallese and Otero, it’s unlikely he’ll see any MLS action.

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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.

Published

4 weeks 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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