Orlando City B (4-3-2, 15 points) came back from a two-goal deficit in the second half to draw Atlanta United 2 (3-4-2, 12 points) at Osceola County Stadium, but couldn’t ride that momentum to an extra point in the postgame penalty shootout, which the visitors won. Karim Tmimi gave Atlanta the lead after just six minutes and a Luke Brennan penalty in the 51st minute made it 2-0. But Jack Lynn came on just after the second goal and netted a brace to even the game at 2-2. Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, the draw went to penalties and Atlanta won 5-4 to take the extra point.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made only one change from the team that lost 4-0 to Columbus Crew 2 Sunday afternoon with Zakaria Taifi being replaced by Favian Loyola. Javier Otero was back in goal behind a back line of Moises Tablante, Nabi Kibunguchy, Abdi Salim, and Alex Freeman. Cristian Medina, Imanol Almaguer, Juninho, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield, with Loyola and Cristofer Acuna up top.

🟣 Your Starting XI tonight 🟡#OCB x #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/FPXAVwAnpO

— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) May 19, 2023

OCB dominated the possession and chances for most of the game, but was unable to put enough shots on target. A poor start to each half was the team’s undoing as the Young Lions conceded early in both periods of play. However, an inspired substitution in the second half by Perelman saw the Young Lions erase a two-goal deficit and gain a point.

The Young Lions had the first chance of the game in the third minute when Freeman made a good run down the right and sent a dangerous ball into the box. But it was too far in front of everyone in purple, going harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.

Atlanta took the lead three minutes later when Nick Firmino blocked Salim’s clearance attempt near midfield and sprinted the other way into the OCB box. After failing to create enough space for a shot, he found Tmimi at the top of the 18. The striker found space and placed his shot past Otero and into the corner to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Karim Tmimi opens the scoring for @atlutd2! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/MO1U8tVJpS

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 19, 2023

The Young Lions got off to strong starts in their first three games, scoring inside five minutes. It’s something that Perelman has spoken about pushing his team to do. However, they’ve now conceded inside the first six minutes three times in their last four games.

“It’s the same thing as last time. It’s not the first time it happened to us,” Perelman said after the game. “We need to correct this. We cannot concede goals like this, because the opponents are not making nothing to score on us. We just give it to them. We just make mistakes and then we suffer.”

OCB responded well after conceding and nearly equalized on multiple occasions. In the eighth minute, Tablante sent a dangerous ball into the Atlanta box that nearly found Loyola at the back post, but the first-team forward just missed connecting with the pass.

A minute later, Perelman was forced to make his first substitution when Salim went down with an injury. The OCB training staff attended to the center back for a few minutes before he left under his own power. However, he was replaced by Taifi.

The Young Lions had another good chance in the 12th minute when a free kick resulted in a dangerous ball into the box by Almaguer. Sent into a group of players, it was headed down for Loyola in front of goal. The forward got his foot on the ball, but sent it just wide of the near post.

Atlanta had a decent chance in the 21st minute when a nice one-two between Brennan and Kofi Twumasi resulted in Brennan with the ball inside the OCB box. The midfielder’s first touch after receiving the pass was towards goal, but it sailed well over the target.

The visitors almost doubled their lead again in the 26th minute when Kibunguchy fouled Brennan to the right of goal. Aiden McFadden stepped up to take the set piece and sent it towards the back post where Fuad Adeniyi was waiting. The center back got his head on the ball, but couldn’t get over it and it went just over the crossbar.

The Young Lions created a chance in the 29th minute when Juninho played the ball forward for Solis. It looked like the midfielder would run into traffic, but nobody stepped up, creating a hole for Solis to run through. The 24-year-old took a shot, but sent it well over the crossbar.

In the 34th minute, Tablante carried the ball down the left with Acuna running to the near post and Loyola towards the far post. A good ball likely would’ve found one of them, but Tablante’s low cross was too close to Atlanta goalkeeper Sebastian Guerra, who knocked it out for a corner kick. The ensuing short corner ended up at the feet of Juninho, but his shot was right at Guerra.

In the 42nd minute, Erik Centeno used a nice touch to beat Freeman. As he neared the OCB box, Freeman caught back up, sliding in and fouling the attacker. Referee Elvis Osmanovic felt the tackle was from behind and issued Freeman a yellow card. Aiden McFadden took the free kick and went for goal, sending the shot just over the target.

OCB forced Guerra into his first big save in the 45th minute when Loyola played a nice ball into the box for Acuna, splitting two defenders. Despite having his back to goal, Acuna did well to turn and shoot with his right foot on his first touch. But Guerra was up to the task, getting down and blocking the ball with his right foot. That was the last chance of the first half for either team as OCB trailed 1-0 at the break.

Despite trailing, OCB led in most first-half statistics. The Young Lions had more possession (58.4%-41.6%), shots (6-5), corners (3-0), crosses (13-4), and passing accuracy (90%-80.5%). Atlanta won more tackles (7-2) and duels (27-20), with both teams putting two shots on target.

Similar to the first half, it didn’t take long for OCB to concede in the second 45 minutes. In the 50th minute, Brennan used a nice move to get behind Tablante. As the attacker entered the OCB box, Tablante tugged on Brennan’s shirt and the Atlanta United academy product went down. Osmanovic immediately pointed to the spot, awarding the visitors a penalty.

After drawing the penalty, Brennan stepped up to take the kick. Otero has been terrific in these situations, but couldn’t get to this one. As he dove to his left, Brennan sent his soft shot the opposite direction, giving Atlanta a commanding 2-0 lead.

Brennan makes it ✌️ from the spot! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/owa5Qcetrb

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 20, 2023

Right after the goal, Perelman made his second change of the game, replacing Loyola with Lynn. It didn’t take long for the substitute to make an impact, as quick passing by Juninho and Solis sent Tablante into the Atlanta box. The left back sent a low cross to the top of the six, where Lynn was charging in and redirected the ball past Guerra seconds after entering the game, cutting the deficit in half.

Jack Lynn slides the ball home to pull one back for @OrlandoCityB! 💪 pic.twitter.com/Bcrco2qhBR

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 20, 2023

“Jack is doing a good job,” Perelman said about Lynn coming on and immediately scoring. “We are so happy with him and happy he scored again.”

OCB had a good chance to equalize in the 62nd minute when Juninho beat Tmimi to the end line and sent a low cross through the box. It found the left foot of Freeman, who was coming in from the opposite side. The right back’s first touch was a shot, but Nelson Orji was able to get in front and block it away.

It looked like the Young Lions had a breakaway in the 65th minute when Acuna was sent through. But Adeniyi did well to regain his position goalside and won the ball back from the forward.

In the 67th minute, Centeno beat Freeman to get into the OCB box. As Centeno reached the end line, Freeman slid in, taking the attacker down from behind. Osmanovic pointed to the spot for the second time, giving Atlanta a golden opportunity to retake their two-goal lead.

Freeman had already been booked in the first half and Osmanovic likely took that into account when not issuing a card. That didn’t sit well with Atlanta United 2 Head Coach Steve Cooke, who was booked for arguing that Freeman should’ve been sent off.

After Brennan did well to convert on the first penalty, Firmino stepped up to take the second spot kick. Otero guessed correctly, diving to his left, but Firmino’s penalty was wide of the post anyway, keeping the game at 2-1.

The Young Lions quickly went the other way looking for an equalizer. After Lynn played the ball out wide for Juninho, he continued his run into the Atlanta box. Juninho’s first touch was to the top of the box for Medina, but the forward couldn’t handle it and the ball bounced right off of him. Fortunately, it went right to Lynn, who was in the right place at the right time. He calmly put it into the far corner for the equalizer and his second goal of the game.

JACK LYNN DOES IT AGAIN!

The super sub unleashes a screaming banger for the equalizer! @OrlandoCityB pic.twitter.com/h9WcCJK5Pg

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 20, 2023

In the 76th minute, Efrain Morales fouled Acuna about 25 yards from goal. Perelman took the opportunity to make his third change of the game, bringing on Wilfredo Rivera for Freeman. It wasn’t a surprising change as Freeman was on a yellow card and could be considered fortunate to still be on the field after conceding the second penalty.

Acuna’s free kick was blocked out for a corner, which OCB took short. Rivera received the ball and sent a cross into the box. It found the foot of Acuna, but his shot was just wide. It didn’t matter anyway, because Osmanovic deemed that Acuna had fouled Toni Tiente in the process.

Two minutes later, Brennan had a chance for his second goal of the game. The forward was sent into the OCB box uncovered. He quickly shot towards the far post, but it skipped just wide.

The Young Lions nearly took the lead in the 84th minute when the Atlanta defense left Solis open outside of the box. The midfielder decided to go for goal, lifting his shot over the outstretched arm of Guerra. But the ball was inches too high, bouncing off the crossbar.

In the 87th minute, Raimar sent a dangerous cross into the box that found the head of Brennan. The forward sent his header towards the post, but he didn’t get enough on it and Otero was able to collect.

OCB almost won it in the 88th minute when Tablante sent a low cross into the box for Rivera. Alan Carleton, who came on as a second-half substitute, took Rivera down from behind, but Osmanovic decided it wasn’t a foul. The ball went right to Lynn, who shot towards goal, but sent it wide.

The fourth official signaled two minutes of injury time and it gave each team enough time for one last chance. The first chance was for Atlanta when Firmino was sent towards the end line, He found an oncoming Twumasi near the penalty spot, but the defender slipped as he reached the ball and it sailed over the crossbar.

OCB got its last chance on the other end when Tablante found Rivera in the Atlanta box. Rivera stayed on his feet and put his shot on target, but Guerra was able to block it. The final whistle blew immediately after the chance, ending the game in a 2-2 draw.

After 90 minutes, OCB had more possession (53.9%-46.1%), shots (19-11), shots on target (6-4), corners (6-2), crosses (19-8), and passing accuracy (90.2%-84.6%). But the Young Lions weren’t able to find a late winner and it finished 2-2.

Draws in MLS NEXT Pro games go to a shootout to decide who gets a second point, so this game went to spot kicks.

After Raimar and Lynn converted on the first two attempts, Otero saved Brennan’s shot to give OCB the advantage. But Guerra dove to his right to block Medina’s subsequent attempt, keeping it tied at 1-1.

It got a little feisty after Tiente beat Otero to make it 4-3 Atlanta. Tiente went to grab the ball, but Otero grabbed it first. After a brief tussle, Osmanovic had to calm both teams down. He booked both Otero and Tiente for the scuffle while Taifi waited to take his penalty. The teenager handled the delay well and beat Guerra with the next kick to keep it tied.

Carleton stepped up to start the sixth round and Otero got his hands on the ball. But it bounced off the post and in to give Atlanta a 5-4 lead. Almaguer took the sixth kick for the Young Lions, but got under it and sent his attempt well over the crossbar, giving the visitors the extra point.

“It’s so frustrating doing the game we did,” Perelman said about the performance. “We played amazing, controlled the complete game. But then we made unforced mistakes and we conceded the goals. It’s difficult winning doing that kind of mistakes.”

“It’s one of the most important things is you want to make the home a fortress,” Lynn said about getting a point at home. “You want people to hate to come here. So the fact that we can continue to keep putting points up when we’re here is a good thing.”

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After one game at home, OCB will head back out on the road. It will be another rivalry game when the Young Lions face Inter Miami II Thursday night in Fort Lauderdale.

Orlando City B (4-3-1, 14 points) gave up four second-half goals, falling 4-0 to Columbus Crew 2 (5-1-1, 17 points) at Historic Crew Stadium this afternoon. After a scoreless first half, the hosts got goals from Gio De Libera, Mataeo Bunbury, Clay Holstad, and Gibran Rayo to run away with all three points.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that lost 3-2 to Crown Legacy FC last weekend. Abdi Salim entered the lineup after not playing for the first team last night and captain Juninho re-entered the lineup after missing last weekend’s game. They replaced Alejandro Granados and Favian Loyola, with the latter starting the game on the bench.

The back line in front of Javier Otero featured Alex Freeman, Salim, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Moises Tablante. Zakaria Taifi started in the midfield alongside Cristian Medina and Imanol Almaguer, while Juninho, Cristofer Acuna, and Jhon Solis were the attacking line.

Today's Starting XI is set! 📋#OCB x #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/yjf5gnfXPw

— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) May 14, 2023

Crew 2 dominated this game from the first minute, creating all of the good chances. OCB defended furiously in the first 45 minutes to reach halftime scoreless, but the opening goal in the 53rd minute opened the floodgates. It was chance after chance for the hosts with the result never in doubt once they got their first goal.

The Young Lions take pride in starting games strong, but it was the hosts that produced pressure early. In the first minute, a dangerous cross into the box by Columbus was cleared out by Kibunguchy for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was easily caught by Otero.

Three minutes later, Thomas Roberts made a long, unimpeded run to the top of the box and found Jordan Knight to his left. Knight entered the OCB box, but was challenged by Taifi, who knocked the ball out for a corner kick.

Roberts’ corner found Jacob Erlandson, who redirected the ball on goal. Fortunately, Tablante was at the near post and cleared the ball off the line.

It looked like Crew 2 had an opportunity in the sixth minute for an opening goal when Bunbury got behind the OCB defense. As the low cross entered the OCB box, Kibunguchy caught up to Bunbury, making just enough contact so the striker couldn’t connect with the pass.

The Young Lions finally got their first decent chance of the game in the 14th minute when Taifi sent a cross into the Crew 2 box from the right. He had Acuna making a run towards the near post, but the pass was behind him, allowing Columbus to clear.

OCB had a second chance in the 16th minute when Almaguer sent a beautiful diagonal ball over the Columbus defense for Solis making a run on the far side. Solis was able to bring the ball down and get a shot off, but sent it over the goal.

In the 22nd minute, a great ball forward by Noah Fuson sent Bunbury behind the OCB defense. Otero was decisive coming off his line, challenging the Crew 2 forward, and blocked the ball out for a corner kick. The ensuing corner by Roberts was too close to the 20-year-old goalkeeper, who punched it away to safety.

An OCB turnover in the back in the 28th minute created a chance for Columbus. Marco Micaletto was sent into the box and beat Kibunguchy to get off a shot. But Otero did well to block it out for another Crew 2 corner kick. Roberts’ corner found the head of Jacob Erlanson, but the header was wide.

Crew 2 goalkeeper Brady Scott was forced into his first save of the day in the 32nd minute when Freeman took a hard shot from outside of the box. The usual right back had switched with Taifi, moving into the midfield, and got over the ball to put it on target. But Scott was able to block it down and collect it. The long-distance shot was one of OCB’s best chances of the day.

Columbus had one more chance just before halftime when quick passing allowed Micaletto to get a shot off at the top of the six. But Taifi did well to get in front of it, blocking the shot away and enabling OCB to reach halftime scoreless.

OCB had more first-half possession (58.3%-41.7%), crosses (3-2), and passing accuracy (86.1%-82.4%), but Crew 2 had more chances. The hosts ended the first 45 minutes with more shots (10-4), shots on target (2-1), and corners (7-1), but couldn’t convert on their opportunities and it was 0-0 at the break.

OCB got the first attempt of the second half in the 49th minute when Cole Mrowka fouled Juninho about 30 yards out. The set piece was taken by Juninho and the OCB captain went for goal, but sent it well over the target.

The hosts got their first chance of the second half in the 52nd minute when Knight’s cross was deflected out of play by Salim. The ensuing corner kick ended up at the feet of Micaletto at the top of the box, but the Crew 2 captain sent it well over the top.

Just after the miss, Perelman made his first change of the game, bringing Jack Lynn on for Acuna. However, Acuna took too long to leave the field and, per MLS NEXT Pro rules, Lynn had to wait a minute to enter the game. As a result, the Young Lions had to play with 10 men.

The decision by Acuna to take his time proved costly as Crew 2 scored before Lynn could enter the game. OCB turned the ball over quickly, and Fuson attempted to play the ball for De Libera, but it was deflected by Kibunguchy. Unfortunately, it went right to Mrowka, who flicked it over the OCB defense for Bunbury. The forward placed his shot well into the corner, beating the diving Otero and giving the hosts the 1-0 lead.

Gio rips an absolute banger to open his scoring account! 💪 @ColumbusCrew2 pic.twitter.com/94WUjkd8L9

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 14, 2023

Columbus nearly got a second in the 56th minute when Abdi Mohamed sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal from the right. He had two teammates making runs — one to the front post and one to the back post — but neither could get on the end of it and the ball went all the way through.

Perelman made his second change a minute later, bringing on Favian Loyola for Freeman, and it nearly resulted in an equalizer. In the 59th minute, Loyola took the ball to the end line and played it back for Lynn at the top of the six-yard box. The striker took a bit too long to take his shot, allowing Erlandson to get in front and block the attempt.

Rayo had replaced Roberts at halftime and found enough space for his first shot in the 63rd minute. Otero looked to have a good view of it, but the shot went off Taifi and Kibunguchy before reaching the goalkeeper. However, Otero did well to react to the change of direction and made the stop.

OCB quickly went the other way and almost got an equalizer through Loyola. This time it was Lynn finding the other second-half substitute near the top of the six. Scott came out to block Loyola’s shot, but it went behind him. Knight was in the right place at the right time for Columbus, enabling him to clear it.

After scoring the opening goal, De Libera created the second for the hosts in the 65th minute. Receiving the ball from Scott near midfield, De Libera made a long run to the top of the box and found Bunbury to his left. Taifi didn’t get back and Salim didn’t slide over to cover, leaving Bunbury wide open. The striker didn’t waste his opportunity, placing the ball into the corner to give his team a 2-0 lead.

2️⃣ for Bunbury, 2️⃣ for @ColumbusCrew2 pic.twitter.com/zKdrdIZYOP

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 14, 2023

Following the goal, Crew 2 made three changes that impacted the game. Coleman Gannon, Taha Harboune, and Holstad came on for Bunbury, Micaletto, and Knight. 

Crew 2 almost had a third in the 75th minute when Fuson lifted the ball for Rayo in front of goal. Rayo headed the ball towards the back post but missed wide.

Columbus got its third goal in the 78th minute with another defensive error. Rayo made a good run into the box and used some nifty footwork to beat Kibunguchy. The OCB defenders left Holstad wide open near the penalty spot and Rayo did well to find him. Flicking the ball up for his teammate, Holstad simply headed the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

Clay Holstad nails the header for the THIRD! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/n8QgPV6d1N

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 14, 2023

In the 82nd minute, Columbus had a chance for a fourth when Gannon played the ball back for Harboune at the top of the box. The substitute shot the ball towards the bottom right corner, but Otero reacted well and blocked it away with his left hand.

OCB made its final three changes in the 85th minute. Fernando Sanchez, Wilfredo Rivera, and Shak Mohammed entered the game for Solis, Almaguer, and Juninho.

Crew 2 added a fourth goal in the 88th minute when Gannon sent a long ball into the OCB box. Ariel Mbumba used his speed to beat Mohammed to the ball and played it to Rayo, who had beaten Kibunguchy with a run into the six. Otero attempted to come out to clear it, but was too late and Rayo added a goal to his earlier assist.

THIS GAME! 🗣️

Rayo slides the ball home and adds to @ColumbusCrew2's lead! pic.twitter.com/HYRzTncYlK

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 14, 2023

It looked like Columbus would score a fifth a minute later. Rayo shot towards the bottom corner, but Otero made a great stop with his right hand. Unfortunately, Gannon beat Taifi to the ball and the defender took down the attacker. Referee Austin Saini didn’t hesitate to point to the spot, awarding Crew 2 a late penalty.

After drawing the foul, Gannon stepped up to take the kick. But Otero was up to the challenge again, diving to his right to block it away. That was the last good chance by either team as Columbus took all three points with a 4-0 win over the Young Lions.

OCB ended the game with more possession (52.3%-47.7%), but most of it didn’t result in chances. In addition to their four goals, Crew 2 had more shots (26-8), shots on goal (10-2), and corners (14-1). The Young Lions did pass more accurately (85.2%-84.3%) and attempt more crosses (6-4), but rarely threatened the opposition.

The loss continues OCB’s struggles on the road. After opening the season with a win against Philadelphia Union II in Chester, PA, the Young Lions have lost their last three away from Osceola County Stadium. But none of the games were as decisively lost as this one, with OCB completely outplayed by a team that entered the day with the same number of points on the year.

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OCB will have to get over this loss quickly because the Young Lions take the field again Friday night. However, they’ll be back at home where they’ve yet to be beaten (3-0-1) to face Atlanta United 2.

Orlando City B (4-2-1, 14 points) fell for the second time this season, losing 3-2 to Crown Legacy FC (6-0-1, 19 points) in a battle for first place at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews in Matthews, NC. Iuri Tavares gave the hosts the lead inside two minutes, but OCB responded with a great goal by Moises Tablante and a Jack Neeley own goal late in the first half. The hosts took control of the second half, scoring two goals in two minutes through Thiago and Tavares’ second of the night, handing the Young Lions a difficult loss.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that came back from two deficits to beat Toronto FC II 3-2 last weekend in Kissimmee. Zakaria Taifi entered the lineup for Abdi Salim, and Imanol Almaguer replaced team captain Juninho. The back four in front of Javier Otero was Tablante, Nabi Kibunguchy, Taifi, and Alex Freeman. Alejandro Granados, Cristian Medina, and Almaguer were in the midfield, with Cristofer Acuna, Jhon Solis, and Favian Loyola up top.

Team sheet is in! 🟣🟡#OCB x #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/XaiOEnQXbb

— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) May 5, 2023

Similar to last week, it was the opposition that got off to the better start. The first chance came just 45 seconds into the game when Vinicius Mello found space between the center backs at the top of the box for a shot. But his attempt was well high of the target.

A minute later, Crown Legacy opened the scoring. Mello played the ball wide for Nikola Petkovic and continued his run towards the end line. Instead of giving it back to him, Petkovic sent the ball into the box for the oncoming Tavares, who headed it past Otero to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Petkovic ➡️ Tavares

It's an early lead for @crownlegacyfc in this top of the table clash! pic.twitter.com/wH8EvYFbwq

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 5, 2023

It’s the second consecutive game that OCB has conceded early after Toronto FC II scored in the third minute Sunday evening.

The goal seemed to spark some life into the Young Lions, who created chances of their own shortly after. In the seventh minute, Acuna made a good run towards the Crown Legacy end line, shielding off his defender to send the ball to the front of goal. Loyola was at the top of the six-yard box to redirect the ball on target, but Joao Pedro got in front of the shot, blocking it away.

A free kick just outside of the Crown Legacy box gave OCB another opportunity in the 10th minute. Rather than sending the ball into the box, it was played across for Almaguer. The midfielder sent the ball in from the opposite side and it landed at the feet of Kibunguchy. Unfortunately, the center back couldn’t get much on the first-touch attempt, allowing Isaac Walker to make the easy stop.

A minute later, the hosts nearly had a second goal when Nick Scardina played a very dangerous ball across OCB’s six-yard box. Mello was left open in front of goal and the ball appeared to be headed right to him, but he couldn’t get on the end of it. Crown Legacy sent the ball back in, reaching the head of Brian Romero, but it was right to Otero.

After assisting the early goal, Petkovic attempted to get one of his own in the 13th minute. His shot from distance didn’t seem too dangerous, but it had pace on it, forcing Otero to block it away.

Tavares had a chance for a second goal in the 26th minute when Loyola fouled Pedro near the OCB box. The free kick by Pedro was sent towards the back post and found the head of the forward. He redirected the set piece towards goal, but sent it wide.

The two early missed chances by the Young Lions seemed to deflate the team. They were creating opportunities but got frustrated with the lack of production in the final third and started missing easy passes in their own end.

The next chance for OCB was in the 32nd minute when Freeman made a good run down the right side and sent a dangerous ball into the box. It was headed just in front of Acuna, who made a run into the Crown Legacy end, but was a bit too far in front and skipped out of play.

Despite being dominated for much of the first 45 minutes, OCB found an unlikely equalizer in the 39th minute. A poor touch and good pressure by Solis won the ball for the Young Lions and they went the other way on the counterattack. Solis immediately sent the ball wide for Tablante on the left and the left back sprinted into the Crown Legacy box. He had Medina in the middle, but used a step over to beat Neeley and sent his shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

No angle? No problem 📐

Tablante roofs it for @OrlandoCityB and we are all square in the Queen City! pic.twitter.com/IzVPFjzQco

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 6, 2023

It was Tablante’s second goal in as many games after he scored the game-winner last weekend against Toronto.

It looked like the game would go into the break even at 1-1, but David Poreba fouled Solis near the top of the Crown Legacy box for one last attempt. Granados and Medina stood over the ball and Medina took the free kick after Granados faked a run up. The ball was too close to Walker, who punched it away. However, it hit it right off Neeley and the ball went past him to send OCB into halftime with a surprising 2-1 lead.

.@OrlandoCityB turns the game on its head and takes a 2-1 lead into the half! pic.twitter.com/l2sKecTPey

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 6, 2023

The late surge made the game a lot more even than it had been for nearly 40 minutes. At halftime, OCB had more possession (50.9-49.1%) and passing accuracy (83.7%-81.5%). Crown Legacy had more shots (7-4), shots on target (3-2), and crosses (11-5).

Similar to the first half, it was the hosts that got off to the better second-half start. A foul by Granados on Mello gave Crown Legacy a free kick near the top corner of the box and they almost took advantage. Pedro went directly for goal on the set piece, missing just wide of the near post.

Two minutes later, OCB almost gave up an embarrassing goal when the Young Lions were a little too nonchalant playing the ball out of the back. The free kick ended up with Taifi in the box and Tavares didn’t give up on the play. He blocked Taifi’s pass and the ball went just wide of Otero’s post.

In the 63rd minute, a handball on Crown Legacy gave OCB a free kick. Medina and Wilfredo Rivera, who came on for Loyola in the 58th minute, stood over the ball. Rivera stepped over the ball, allowing Medina to take the kick. But it was off a head in the wall, allowing Walker to catch it.

A minute later, Almaguer made a good, long run and was taken down by Pedro just outside of the box. Again, Medina and Rivera were on the ball and Medina took the kick. This time it was on target, but Walker blocked it out for a corner kick. Unfortunately, Kibunguchy was called for a foul on the ensuing set piece and Crown Legacy was able to clear.

Crown Legacy found the equalizer in the 71st minute. Halftime substitute Thiago started the play by sending the ball out wide and received it back in the middle after a couple of passes. He tipped the ball to set up a shot with his left and fired from outside of the box. Almaguer slid in to block it, but deflected it instead. The deflection sent Otero the wrong way and the hosts found their second goal.

WE ARE LEVEL! 💥

Thiago gets it past the keeper and @crownlegacyfc knot things up at 2! pic.twitter.com/LoLhgsYscB

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 6, 2023

It only took two more minutes for Crown Legacy to take their second lead of the game. After the initial cross attempt was blocked, the ball went to Acuna. A poor first touch by the midfielder allowed Philip Mayaka to win it back and play it wide to Scardina. Left with too much room, Tavares did well to bring the ball down with his thigh, setting up a right-footed shot on goal. Otero was in a good position to stop it, but it was past him and the hosts took a late 3-2 lead.

Tavares ✖️2!

2 goals in 2 minutes for @crownlegacyfc as they recapture the lead!

3-2 CLFC 👑 pic.twitter.com/bQtzWw35bx

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) May 6, 2023

Now down a goal, Perelman was forced to make attacking substitutions in an attempt to find an equalizer. In the 77th minute, forward Jack Lynn came on for Granados. Two minutes later, Shak Mohammed replaced right back Freeman.

The Young Lions nearly found a goal in the 78th minute when Jacob Williams knocked the ball out of play for an OCB corner kick. The set piece by Medina went to Kibunguchy near the top of the box. The center back has shown his heading ability in the past and sent a dart towards the far post, but it went just wide.

Crown Legacy had a chance to put the game away in the 86th minute when Marko Filipovic found Mello at the penalty spot. It looked like he had a free shot on goal, but Almaguer came flying in to block it, keeping the deficit at one goal.

OCB’s final chance came two minutes into second-half injury time when a Lynn cross attempt was blocked out of play by Pedro for a corner kick. Lynn volleyed the ensuing set piece by Medina with his right foot towards goal, but it went wide of the near post.

As Crown Legacy went the other way, a late foul by Taifi was enough for the hosts to seal the win and hand OCB its second loss of the season.

Crown Legacy ended the game with more possession (51.4%-48.6%), shots (14-10), shots on target (6-4), crosses (18-12), and passing accuracy (82.7%-82.2%). OCB only had more corners (4-3), but none of them ended in goals.

The loss keeps OCB in second place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, but they fall further behind the conference leaders, Crown Legacy FC. While the Young Lions have been excellent at home, they’re now 1-2-0 away from Osceola County Stadium and have lost their last two away from Central Florida. That doesn’t bode well for their next game when they face Columbus Crew 2, which sits three points behind them in the standings, next weekend.

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The Friday game means OCB will have some to recuperate and prepare for their battle with Crew 2 next Sunday afternoon at Historic Crew Stadium in Ohio.