Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Philadelphia Union II: Final Score 3-0 as OCB Suffers First Home Loss
OCB falls 3-0 to Philadelphia Union II for its first home loss in 2023.
Orlando City B (7-6-2, 24 points) lost 3-0 to Philadelphia Union II (5-8-3, 20 points) on a long night at Osceola County Stadium. OCB dominated most of the game, but a brace in the first half by Chris Donovan and a late goal by David Vazquez handed the Young Lions their first home loss this season.
OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made three changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Chicago Fire II nearly two weeks ago. Goalkeeper Javier Otero and midfielder Juninho returned to OCB’s lineup after two games with the first team, and Thomas Williams started after a game out as well. They replaced Dominic Pereira, Zakaria Taifi, and Alejandro Granados, all of whom began this game on the bench.
The back line in front of Otero was Alex Freeman, Nabi Kibunguchy, Williams, and Franco Perez. Imanol Almaguer, Cristian Medina, and Juninho were in the midfield, with Shak Mohammed, Jack Lynn, and Jhon Solis up front.
The score wasn’t indicative of the performance in this game. OCB dominated the possession and chances, but didn’t put many of its shots on target. Philadelphia used a high press to cause distress for the Young Lions’ back line, forcing them into multiple mistakes that turned out to be the difference in the game.
The first chance for either team came in the fourth minute when Perez sent a dangerous cross to the top of the six-yard box. Mohammed got to the pass and attempted a first-touch shot, but it was blocked.
OCB got its second opportunity in the ninth minute from a great run by Juninho. The captain split two defenders to get inside the six and shot from a tight angle, but Union II goalkeeper Andrew Rick did well to get down and block it with his foot.
The Young Lions nearly had a third chance in the 10th minute when Lynn made a run down the left and sent a cross into the box. Mohammed was darting towards the near post, attempting to get on the end of the pass, but it was cleared away by Juan Castillo right before he could reach it.
A minute later, the visitors took the lead. Castillo received the ball near the left sideline and lifted it long behind the OCB defense. Donovan beat Williams to the ball and entered OCB’s six-yard box. Before he reached the end line, Donovan placed the ball past the sprawling Otero and into the far corner to give Philadelphia an early 1-0 lead.
In the 17th minute, OCB forced Rick into another good save when Mohammed sent a low cross towards the top of the six-yard box. Lynn redirected the ball towards goal, but Rick made a save similar to his ninth-minute stop on Juninho, getting down to kick it away.
On the other end, it was a mistake by OCB that allowed Philadelphia to double its lead. Medina received the ball back from Williams with only Otero behind him. Donovan put pressure on the midfielder, forcing him into a turnover. Otero came out in an attempt to cut down Donovan’s angle, but he easily scored his second goal of the game and put his team up 2-0.
The high temperatures in Kissimmee resulted in a 29th-minute hydration break for the players. Out of the break, Perelman made the first change of the game. Williams came out and was replaced by Granados, a surprising change since the latter is usually an attacking player.
In the 33rd minute, Perez sent a cross towards the top of the box that was left to run through. It ended up with Solis just outside of the box and the forward’s shot was heading towards the right post. It beat Rick, but bounced off the woodwork.
OCB nearly got a goal back again in the 39th minute when Mohammed made a nifty run towards the end line and sent a low cross in for Lynn. The striker got his foot to the ball before the defender, but flicked it over the crossbar.
Less than a minute later, OCB nearly gave up a third goal on another mistake in its own third. Kibunguchy was nonchalant with the ball in his own box as Jeremy Rafanello put pressure on the center back. Rafanello couldn’t get a shot off, but it went back to Carlos Rojas just outside of the box. The midfielder was aiming for the corner, but sent the ball wide.
As the game headed towards halftime and OCB searched for its first goal, the referee called the players off the field as lightning was in the area, sending the game into a weather delay. After an hour and 40 minutes, the game resumed.
The game restarted with a short free kick by Philadelphia. It resulted in a shot from a narrow angle, enabling Otero to make an easy save. Following that chance, OCB went on the attack and created multiple chances.
In the 42nd minute, Juninho received the ball outside of the box and took a long shot, but it was deflected out of play. Two minutes later, Perez found Lynn at the near post. The striker attempted to turn the ball on target, but it too was blocked.
The final chance of the first half for either team came in the final minute of stoppage time. Juninho found Solis on the opposite side of the box and the forward had plenty of space for a shot. But he took too long, allowing Brandan Craig to move over and block the attempt.
OCB dominated the first half in every way but the scoreline. The Young Lions had more possession (70.4%-29.6%), shots (15-4), shots on target (4-2), corners (9-0), and crosses (11-5). But Rick made a couple of good saves and OCB made some defensive mistakes, resulting in a 2-0 deficit at the break.
The first chance of the second half came from Philadelphia, as C.J. Olney dribbled across the box. He was kept outside of the 18 by the OCB defense and eventually turned to shoot on target, but wasn’t able to get much on it and the ball rolled to the feet of Otero.
The visitors had a second chance in the 51st minute, when Quinn Sullivan attempted a cross into the box from the right. But he sent it too close to Otero, who came out to claim it.
The first second-half chance for OCB came in the 52nd minute when Almaguer received the ball well outside of the box. The midfielder took an ambitious shot from long distance, but got under it and it sailed over the target.
Tempers flared between the teams in the 56th minute when Perez tackled Hugo Le Guennec as he attempted to dribble out of the back. It was right by the Philadelphia bench and the players didn’t take too kindly to the challenge. Perez was booked for the foul and Anton Sorenson was booked on the bench for the pushing and shoving that ensued.
In the 63rd minute, Philadelphia broke the other way through Stefan Stojanovic, who came on five minutes earlier. The substitute had space for a shot at the top of the box, but sent the ball high and wide of the target.
Freeman had a couple of chances starting in the 65th minute, when he made a long run towards the end line. He should’ve gotten a shot off, but ran out of room and dribbled out of bounds.
Two minutes later, Freeman entered the box and made a nice cut to lose his defender. It looked like he could’ve gone for the far post, but went for the near one instead. Unfortunately, he missed the target entirely.
In the 73rd minute, Lynn played a short pass from the left to the top of the six-yard box for Mohammed, but Rojas cleared it away. The ensuing short corner ended up with Juninho at the top of the box and the OCB captain shot, but sent it wide. The Young Lions appealed for a corner kick, but referee Amiel Aleman decided it went directly out of play.
Perelman made two more changes in the 81st minute, bringing on two first team attackers. Wilfredo Rivera and Favian Loyola entered the game for Mohammed and Almaguer. They were the final two changes for the Young Lions.
Philadelphia scored a third that put the game away in the 86th minute. An OCB throw went to Medina, but the midfielder took his time reaching the ball, allowing Stojanovic to take control. Kibunguchy was left in an impossible situation of taking Stojanovic or David Vazquez, the only other player around. As Kibunguchy stepped up, Stojanovic played it across for Vazquez. The substitute drew Otero off his line and slid it past him into the corner to make it 3-0.
Union II had the final chance of the game a minute into second-half stoppage time when Medina fouled Vazquez just outside of the OCB box. Craig and Castillo stood over the ball, with Craig taking the set piece. The ball was headed near the top corner, but Otero did well to make a diving stop. The ball fell right in front of the goal line, but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to knock it away.
At full time, OCB had more possession (70.3%-29.7%), shots (22-17), corners (12-3), and crosses (13-11). Philadelphia put more shots on target (8-5), which ended up being a difference in this game.
“It was sad for us because I think that we really did a great game,” Perelman said about the performance. “We controlled them completely with the situations. They brought a couple of first team players, so when we made two mistakes, we paid with a goal. And then we couldn’t score with the situations we created. We created more than 15.”
The loss is OCB’s first at home this season as it moved to 5-1-2 at Osceola County Stadium. It’s OCB’s second consecutive defeat and its third in four games as the team slides down the MLS NEXT Pro standings. The Young Lions are still in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and have a game in hand on some of the teams around them.
It’s a short break for the Young Lions as they take the field again Sunday night in Kentucky, taking on FC Cincinnati 2.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Crown Legacy FC: Final Score 4-1 as OCB Wins Crucial Game Away from Home
OCB nets four goals in 4-1 win over Crown Legacy FC.
Orlando City B (9-7-9, 40 points) took three points on the road with a 4-1 win over Crown Legacy FC (10-8-6, 40 points) this afternoon in Matthews, NC. Alex Freeman had a first half brace and Jack Lynn made it 3-0 shortly after halftime. A goal by Nikola Petkovic in the 75th minute made it 3-1 and the hosts had a penalty in the 80th minute, but Joao Pedro missed. Shak Mohammed put the game away in the 84th minute with a fourth goal for the Young Lions.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg was suspended for this game, though he was present in the stadium. Julian Vergara took over as coach and the staff made two changes from the team that beat Huntsville City FC 2-1 on Sept. 1. First-team regulars Jeorgio Kocevski and Lynn entered the lineup for Colin Guske and Wilfredo Rivera.
The back line in front of Carlos Mercado was Luca Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Imanol Almaguer and Kocevski were the defensive midfielders behind Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Mohammed with Lynn up top.
OCB dominated the first half in every way, creating several chances and scoring twice while keeping Crown Legacy from keeping possession. The hosts were much better in the second half, creating chances early and often. However, the Young Lions defended well for most of the second 45 minutes. Crown Legacy did get a goal back and had a penalty that would’ve made it a one-goal game, but the misses ended their chance of a monumental comeback.
The first chance of the game came in the third minute when Solis laid the ball off for Tsukada at the top of the Crown Legacy box. The midfielder’s first touch was a shot on goal, but it was right at Crown Legacy goalkeeper George Marks.
The hosts nearly had their first chance in the sixth minute when Jaylin Lindsey played Nicholas Scardina down the right. The midfielder sent a dangerous ball into the box with a teammate making a run, but Kibunguchy got there first and cleared it away.
In the 12th minute, Tsukada received the ball in a seemingly innocuous position. The midfielder took a touch inside before unleashing a hard shot towards the near post. Marks dove to his right to ensure the ball didn’t sneak in, but it skipped wide.
The Young Lions continued to threaten in the 15th minute when Mohammed sent a low cross to the top of the six-yard box for Freeman. Marks did well to come out and tip the ball before the OCB right back could reach it. It looked for a moment like Tsukada would put the rebound in, but the defender got to it first.
Seconds later, Petrasso found Almaguer in the box and the OCB captain fired on goal. Marks could only tip the strong shot over the crossbar.
OCB took the lead in the 18th minute when Kocevski played a long ball for Freeman behind the back line and Marks came out in an attempt to challenge the right back. Freeman was able to tap the ball around the goalkeeper, leaving him with an empty net. Despite a somewhat tight angle, Freeman played the ball in nicely to give the Young Lions an early 1-0 lead.
Crown Legacy felt that Freeman was offside and interim Head Coach Kevin Sawchak let the fourth official know, earning a yellow card for dissent. However, MLS NEXT Pro doesn’t have VAR, so the decision stood.
Crown Legacy nearly had a chance in the 27th minute through an excellent individual effort by Jamie Paterson. The newly-signed Charlotte FC midfielder megged Kocevski before playing a give-and-go with Tyger Smalls. He got behind the OCB back line, but Mercado reached the ball before the attacker.
OCB had a chance to double their advantage in the 36th minute when Williams pushed forward from his center back position. The defender played the ball around Lindsey and the right back tripped him, earning the Young Lions a free kick.
The set piece by Tsukada was towards the far post where Marks pushed it away. Almaguer received the ball outside of the box and attempted an ambitious shot that went wide of the target.
The fourth official displayed four minutes of first-half stoppage time and that was enough for the Young Lions to double their advantage. In the second minute of added time, Solis sent Petrasso long down the left sideline. The left back played a beautiful ball beyond the reach of three defenders to Freeman, making a run to the far post. The right back did well with his first touch to guide the ball past Marks for his second goal of the game.
The Young Lions had one more first-half chance in the fifth minute of stoppage time. A poor clearance attempt by Crown Legacy enabled Mohammed to take possession. The attacker tried to beat Marks, but the goalkeeper made the stop and OCB took a 2-0 lead into the break.
At halftime, Crown Legacy had more corner kicks (4-2) and crosses (11-2) but were unable to create anything from them. Meanwhile, OCB had more shots (7-1), shots on target (5-0), and better passing accuracy (92.9%-90.5%).
Crown Legacy were the aggressors early in the second half. In the 48th minute, Scardina entered the box and went down after some contact. The Crown Legacy players, coaching staff, and crowd appealed for a penalty, but it wasn’t given.
A minute later, the hosts earned the first corner kick of the second half. The Young Lions got a pair of heads to the ball but were unable to clear. It eventually fell to Cam Duke who fired on goal. Mercado wasn’t in position to stop the shot, but it deflected off a defender and out of play. The second set piece was cleared and OCB maintained their two-goal lead.
The Young Lions extended their lead in the 51st minute from a set piece. Almaguer sent a long ball from his own half of the field behind the back line. Freeman couldn’t reach it, but the ball bounced to Lynn right next to him. The first-team forward took his time, placing his shot around Marks to give OCB a 3-0 lead.
Crown Legacy had a golden chance to get one back in the 56th minute when Smalls found Nimfasha Berchimas wide open in the box. Mercado came off his line to close down the striker’s angle and the forward shot right at the OCB goalkeeper.
The hosts won a corner kick from the attack and Smalls’ cross was blocked out by Kibunguchy. The second attempt fell in the six-yard box before Williams cleared it away. Crown Legacy’s third successive corner kick was headed over the crossbar, enabling the Young Lions to clear without conceding.
OCB nearly scored a fourth in the 69th minute when Petrasso played Lynn behind the Crown Legacy back line. This time Marks did well to get down and block Lynn’s shot wide of the near post.
Tsukada’s ensuing corner kick was played short for Petrasso, who sent a cross to the back post. Freeman was making a run, but Marks caught the attempt before it reached the OCB right back.
Crown Legacy quickly went the other way, playing second-half substitute Brian Romero behind the back line. The attacker tried to chip Mecado and got the ball over the goalkeeper, but it sailed high and wide of the goal.
Three minutes later, Aron John played a wonderful switch to Romero, setting up another attempt for the attacker. It was a strong shot but right at Mercado, who knocked it down and collected the rebound.
A goal was coming for Crown Legacy and they finally converted in the 75th minute. Petkovic touched the ball inside to create space from Kocevski and sent a shot that hit the near post. The rebound went right to Jonathan Nyandjo, who tapped it in to cut the OCB lead to 3-1.
Immediately after the goal, the Young Lions made their first two changes. Yeiler Valencia and Tahir Reid-Brown came into the game for Tsukada and Petrasso.
Crown Legacy almost scored a second in the 78th minute when Duke found Scardina in the box. The midfielder was aiming for the near post and beat Mercado but missed just wide.
Two minutes later, Crown Legacy had an even better opportunity when Mohammed gave the ball away in the OCB third of the field. Petkovic took possession and entered the box, drawing contact from Kibunguchy. The referee took some time to consider the situation before pointing to the spot and awarding a penalty.
Before the penalty was taken, OCB made a third change as Favian Loyola came in for Lynn.
Pedro stepped to the spot with a chance to make it a one-goal game. Mercado dove to his left and it should’ve been an easy finish, but Pedro sent the attempt over the crossbar.
The Young Lions made the hosts pay for the miss by netting a fourth in the 84th minute. Solis played a great ball forward, sending Mohammed behind the back line. With nobody near him, the attacker took his time to send the ball by Marks and in to give OCB a 4-1 lead.
OCB made their final two changes in the 89th minute as Gustavo Caraballo and Jackson Platts came on for Freeman and Solis.
Valencia got his first chance at goal in the first minute of stoppage time. He was looking to send his shot just inside the near post but hit the outside of the net.
Mohammed had one last chance in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a shot from the right. The midfielder was looking to beat Marks to his far post, but the ball skipped just wide. That was the last chance for either team as OCB won 4-1.
At full time, OCB had more shots (14-13) and shots on target (8-4). Crown Legacy had more corner kicks (8-3), crosses (17-4), and better passing accuracy (90%-89.3%). The better shooting efficiency by OCB was a major factor as the Young Lions won by three goals.
The three points moves OCB up to sixth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, even on points with Crown Legacy for fifth place with three games left. However, OCB has played more games than the teams around them.
After this brief road trip, the Young Lions will return home for a pair of games at Osceola County Stadium — their final two of the regular season — before finishing the season in Cincinnati. The first of those home games is on Sept. 15 against New England Revolution II.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Huntsville City FC: Final Score 2-1 as Young Lions Hold Off Rally to Win at Home
OCB scored twice and then held on for dear life to beat Huntsville City FC at home.
Orlando City B scored a goal in each half and held off a furious rally attempt by Huntsville City FC to pick up a 2-1 win at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Imanol Almaguer and Alex Freeman provided the offense for OCB (8-7-9, 37 points), which conceded a late goal but ultimately held off Huntsville (6-12-5, 23 points) to pick up three vital points in the MLS NEXT Pro playoff chase.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and four-game unbeaten run for Huntsville, which got its goal from Julian Gaines late fashioned several good opportunities in the dying minutes to draw level.
The starting lineup in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado included a back line of Luca Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Shak Mohammed, with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
OCB spent the first 10 minutes of the match mostly in its own end, either trying to break Huntsville’s high line of pressure or preventing the visitors from working the ball into shooting positions. Huntsville seemed more threatening but OCB defended well.
After that 10-minute stalemate, each team created a chance. The first fell Orlando City B’s way on the left, as Tuskada worked his way past the defense and fired from a tight angle. Huntsville goalkeeper Bryan Dowd saved the attempt in the 11th minute.
At the other end, Woobens Pacios got in behind the right side of OCB’s defense but his curling effort toward the back post skipped wide in the 12th minute. Huntsville came right back toward OCB’s goal with a good cross in from the right. The Young Lions failed to deal with the aerial ball and had to bundle it out for a corner in a scramble play in front, conceding a corner. The visitors weren’t able to pay off the set piece.
Orlando nearly fashioned a goal out of nothing in the 18th minute. Mohammed attempted a shot from just outside the area but a sliding defender blocked it into the air. Freeman was the first to reach the loose ball and attempted a volley shot that sailed just over the bar.
Another ball in from the left a minute later was just a bit too close to Dowd as Tsukada was trying to pick out Rivera making a near-post run. OCB created another good chance in the 23rd minute when Freeman found Rivera in the box. The forward sent a hard, low shot toward the right post but Dowd got down to make the save.
The Young Lions found a breakthrough in the 30th minute on a great sequence of one-touch passes that started on the right side of the box with Freeman and Solis. Orlando worked it eventually to the top of the area with Almaguer serving as the architect, combining with mutliple teammates. He picked out Rivera, who then sent Tsukada down the left. The winger sent a quick pass across the top of the six for a charging Almaguer to tap home, making it 1-0. It was Almaguer’s third consecutive match with a goal.
After a couple of minutes of treatment to Mercado, who landed awkwardly on his shoulder after going high to catch a cross into the area, Huntsville got back on the front foot. Jonathan Bolanos sent a shot from the top of the area just wide of the right post in the 37th minute.
Solis drew a couple of quick yellow cards on Huntsville in the final moments of the first half on fouls by Dominic Gasso and Bolanos. The latter gave OCB a set piece from distance that nearly paid off. The service was played low into the crowd of players toward the left side of goal. Freeman got to it first and fired just wide of the left post in the 43rd minute.
The game unexpectedly opened up in stoppage time, with each team getting sight of goal. Rivera tried his luck from outside the area in the second minute of added time, but he did not stay over the ball and got under it, lifting it high over the bar. Seconds later, Oliver Wright discarded Petrasso with a quick move from left to right and fired a shot just wide of the right post.
That was the final chance of the opening period, and the Young Lions took their slim lead into the locker room.
OCB had the halftime edge in shots (7-5) and shots on target (3-0), while Huntsville passed more accurately (94%-90.3%). Each team earned one corner in the first half.
Huntsville came out of the break with a lot of energy and aggression, taking the game to OCB. The Young Lions struggled to get out of their own end for the first 15 minutes of the second period and conceded the first two shtos on target of the game in that spell. Mercado made a pair of good saves to deny Wright in the 53rd and 54th minutes.
After the hour mark, the Young Lions finally relieved the pressure and held the ball for a bit, regaining their rhythm but without creating much until the 64th minute after clearing a scramble play in front of their own goal. OCB broke down the field and Freeman got into the box on the right. He shielded the ball well and went down under a challenge from Jordan Knight. Referee Alex Billeter pointed to the spot immediately and booked Knight for the foul from behind.
Freeman took the spot kick himself and blasted it into the upper right side to make it 2-0 in the 66th minute.
OCB had a couple of good opportunities after that to find a third, and the first of those came in the 72nd minute. Rivera had the ball on the right in transition but Huntsville had numbers back. The forward cut inside on his left and let a powerful shot go toward goal, but Dowd did well to make the save to keept it at 2-0.
Huntsville started pouring numbers forward and OCB could not stay organized or compact, allowing several low crosses to get into the box from the visitors’ attacking left side. However, it was the other side that allowed Huntsville to pull a goal back.
Gaines cut inside from the right to break free of Tsukada and sent a low, left-footed shot just inside the left post. Mercado looked as if he’d get over to make the save, but it was just out of reach. Huntsville pulled within 2-1 in the 81st minute.
OCB was fortunate not to allow the equalizer just seconds later. A poor back pass from Almaguer popped into the air and Williams couldn’t handle it. Bolanos got to it and fired past Mercado, but the ball had hit the Huntsville attacker on the arm before it fell to his feet and the infraction nullified what would have been a tying strike.
Mercado made a huge save in the 84th minute off a Huntsville corner and in the scramble to pounce on the loose ball, he was fouled, taking the pressure off momentarily.
Second-half sub Yeiler Valencia led a transition that could have put the game away in the 88th minute. Taking a long outlet pass, he streaked down the right and drew the defense toward him. Valencia sent a cross in front for fellow substitute Tahir Reid-Brown at the back post, but the fullback couldn’t make clean contact with the bouncing ball and sent the effort wide.
Mercado stayed busy throughout four minutes of stoppage time that ballooned to seven. He had to make a vital save in the 91st minute when Pacias got in behind the defense. Mercado blocked it from point-blank range but took the shot in a sensitive area and needed some time to continue, which added to the injury time.
OCB survived several nervy moments in its own box before finally clearing one last time and hearing the final whistle.
The visitors finished with the advantage in shots (13-10), passing accuracy (91.5%-85.9%), corners (6-2), and crosses (13-3). OCB put more shots on frame (5-4) and ultimately did just enough to see out a nervy win in the end.
Orlando City B has won three of its last four matches and is 4-1-1 in its last six games. The win momentarily allowed the Young Lions to jump above the playoff line, but multiple teams were either still in action or have a game in hand. Still, the team is alive for a potential playoff berth with four matches remaining.
The Young Lions are back in action a week from tonight at Crown Legacy.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. New York City FC II: Final Score 5-2 as OCB Suffers First Loss to NYCFC II
The Young Lions trailed from early on and could never quite get back on level terms, conceding two late goals in an ultimately lopsided loss.
Orlando City B (7-7-9, 34 points) played from behind for most of the match before falling 5-2 to New York City FC II (10-5-6, 39 points) at Belson Stadium in New York City this evening. Camil Azzam Ruiz gave the hosts the lead in the eighth minute and Andrew Baiera’s 31st-minute goal made it 2-0 at halftime. It was a back-and-forth second half with OCB goals by Imanol Almaguer and Alex Freeman being answered by Nicholas Kapanadze and Taylor Calheira. Baiera’s second goal in stoppage time put a cap on the game.
OCB deployed the same lineup that destroyed Atlanta United 2 Friday night 4-1. The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Luca Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske were the defensive midfielders behind Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Shak Mohammed with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
This game was originally scheduled for June 19 but was postponed until today. Despite being on a Wednesday, kickoff took place at 4:30 p.m. This was a game of two halves for the Young Lions. NYCFC II dominated the first 45 minutes and took a deserved two-goal lead into the break. But OCB came out a different team in the second half, putting the hosts under pressure. It looked at times as though the Young Lions would come back to equalize or take the lead but couldn’t find the last touch. That allowed NYCFC II to respond and come away with the win.
The hosts took the lead in the eighth minute from poor defending and an excellent run by Ronald Arevalo. Receiving a ball forward from Stevo Bednarsky, Arevalo kept possession after a push from Tsukada and avoided challenges by Petrasso and Almaguer. As Williams closed down on the attacker, blocking his ability to shoot, Arevalo laid it off for Azzam Ruiz, who beat Kibunguchy to the ball and slipped it past Mercado to make it 1-0.
The best first-half chance for OCB came a few minutes later when Petrasso was sent behind the back line with an aerial ball by Solis. The left back was free on goal and it didn’t appear as though any defenders would catch up with him, but Matthew Leong did well to get back. The defender slid in to block the shot, which also took a touch by NYCFC goalkeeper Will Meyer before leaving the box.
NYCFC II doubled its advantage in the 31st minute. It was another excellent individual effort, this time by Maximo Carrizo. After dribbling to the top of the box, Carrizo sent a hard pass to his right. He appeared to be looking for Arevalo, but Baiera took it instead. The defender split Freeman and Petrasso, putting it past Mercado to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.
OCB tried to respond in the 36th minute when Guske took possession of the ball. He dribbled through a defender and created enough space to get a shot off. Unfortunately, it was over the crossbar.
The Young Lions nearly had a great chance to get one back in the 41st minute when Mohammed sent a cross into the box from the end line. Solis was making a run into the six, but Samuel Owusu slid in and knocked the ball out of play before it could reach Solis.
The final first-half chance for OCB came in the second minute of stoppage time when Mohammed played the ball to Freeman on his right. Tsukada and Petrasso were making runs into the box and Freeman sent the ball in, but it was too close to Meyer, who caught the attempt.
It looked as though the hosts would make it 3-0 in the final minute of first-half stoppage time when Arevalo dribbled into the OCB third of the field. He played Azzam Ruiz forward and it appeared as though the attacker would net his second of the game. But Kibunguchy came flying in and blocked the attempt, ensuring Azzam Ruiz wouldn’t be able to put the ball into the corner of the goal.
After 45 minutes, NYCFC had more shots (9-4) and shots on target (4-2) and better passing accuracy (91.6%-85.7%). OCB had more corner kicks (3-1) and all of the crosses (4-0) since the hosts created their attacks by dribbling down the middle of the field.
Both teams created a chance inside the first five minutes of the second half. In the 48th minute, Kibunguchy made a surprising run down the right. The center back played the ball into the box for Rivera, who went down after some contact. However, no foul was called and the ball went through the box untouched.
NYCFC II had a chance in the 50th minute when Azzam Ruiz was sent behind the back line by Stevo Bednarsky. The defenders appeared to think Azzam Ruiz was offside, allowing him to get free on goal. Williams sprinted back to put some pressure on the attacker and he sent the attempt off target.
The Young Lions got a goal back in the 52nd minute when Almaguer and Solis combined. Receiving the ball from Mohammed, who had made a run down the right to the end line, Almaguer played a give-and-go with Solis. The return pass was a chip that was volleyed in by Almaguer to cut the deficit in half.
NYCFC II nearly had a golden opportunity to extend its lead in the 58th minute when Jonathan Shore found himself at the top of the six with nobody marking him. The pass found him, but Kibunguchy came flying in to knock the ball off of his foot. It was the second time the center back had saved an almost certain goal.
However, the hosts reclaimed their two-goal lead in the 69th minute from a terrible mistake by Kibunguchy. The center back received the ball in his own third and took his time looking for an outlet. In the meantime, Kapanadze came up behind him and took the ball right off his foot. Nobody was close to being able to close down the second-half substitute, enabling him to slip it past Mercado and giving NYCFC II a 3-1 lead.
The Young Lions nearly got one back off of the kickoff when Rivera’s ball was blocked out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found Almaguer at the top of the box and the OCB captain laid it off for Guske. It was an ambitious attempt by the academy product, but the shot was on target and forced Meyer to tip it over the top of the goal. Unfortunately, the Young Lions couldn’t create a shot from the second corner kick, enabling the hosts to clear.
OCB nearly found an incredible goal in the 76th minute when Solis sent a pass to Mohammed, who was making a diagonal run on the right. The attacker’s first touch appeared to be a cross, but it curled towards goal. The ball went over the outstretched arm of Meyer and hit the crossbar.
That was the last action before the second-half hydration break. During the stoppage, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made his first two changes. Justin Ellis and Favian Loyola came in for Rivera and Mohammed.
Immediately after the break, NYCFC II created a chance for a fourth goal. Jonny Lopez played Baiera into the right side of the box and the defender’s second touch was a shot on goal. Due to the pace on the ball, Mercado could only block it wide for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was met by Calheira at the near post, but he sent the redirection wide.
The Young Lions kept the comeback alive in the 83rd minute when they cut the deficit back to one. It started when Solis played the ball across the field for Tsukada near the top of the box. Petrasso was overlapping the midfielder and Tsukada played him forward. Petrasso’s low cross went through Ellis, Owusu, and Meyer, ending up on the foot of Freeman right in front of the goal. Freeman had Christopher Tiao on his back, making it difficult to put the ball in. As a result, it sat on the goal line until the right back could get a final touch on it. Fortunately he did, making it a 3-2 game.
Goldberg made three more changes in the final five minutes as the Young Lions looked for an equalizer. Jackson Platts and Tahir Reid-Brown came on for Freeman and Petrasso in the 85th minute before Gustavo Caraballo replaced Almaguer in the 90th minute.
Unfortunately, OCB was unable to find the equalizer and the hosts put the game out of reach. Platts pulled back Tiao in the second minute of stoppage time, giving the hosts a free kick. Tiao laid on the ground for a while before getting up and play resumed. Despite the rule stating players must receive treatment after 15 seconds and exit for two minutes, the referee allowed him to continue.
Tiao’s set piece was headed by Platts to Guske in the middle of the field. However, the defensive midfielder was beaten to it by Kapanadze near the top of the box. Calheira received the header and nobody closed him down, enabling the substitute to shoot on goal. It was a low but accurate shot that left Mercado frozen, going into the corner and giving the hosts a 4-2 lead.
The fourth goal effectively put the game away, but NYCFC II scored a fifth for good measure. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Julien Lacher sprinted down the right. As Lopez made a run to the top of the six, Baiera made a trailing run into the box. Three defenders converged on Lacher, forcing Kibungnuchy to track Lopez. As a result, Baiera was wide open near the penalty spot.
Mercado came back across his goal to close down Baiera, but the defender kept his composure. A simple touch to his right saw Mercado go down and it was an easy finish for his second goal of the game.
That was the final action of the contest as OCB fell 5-2 to NYCFC II. At full time, NYCFC II had more shots (16-11) and shots on target (8-5) and better passing accuracy (88.4%-87.7%). The Young Lions had more corner kicks (6-2) and crosses (9-0).
This is the first time OCB has lost to NYCFC II since the two teams first met in 2022. Before today, the Young Lions were 3-0-3 in six games against the MLS NEXT Pro Pigeons.
NYCFC II moves up to fourth in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference with the three points. Meanwhile, OCB remains in ninth, one spot below the last playoff position. It’s a difficult loss, but the Young Lions are only one point behind Chattanooga FC, two points behind Chicago Fire II and Inter Miami II, and three points behind Crown Legacy for fifth.
It’s a short break for OCB as the Young Lions return home Sunday night to face Huntsville City FC at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.
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