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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati 2: Final Score 5-3 as OCB Dominates in Kentucky

OCB came back from a two-goal deficit in a wild game to beat FC Cincinnati 2.

Published

3 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (8-6-2, 27 points) came back from a two-goal, second-half deficit to beat FC Cincinnati 2 (4-8-3, 16 points) 5-3 at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, KY. The Young Lions used braces by Juninho and Jack Lynn and an own goal by Matt Dreas to score their five goals. David Garcia gave the hosts the lead in the 30th minute and Ryder Mills scored two early second-half goals before OCB took over.

OCB made two changes to the lineup that lost 3-0 to Philadelphia Union II Wednesday night. Alejandro Granados came on at right back for Alex Freeman and Zakaria Taifi returned the starting lineup at center back, replacing Thomas Williams.

The Young Lions started with a 4-4-2 formation and a back line in front of Javier Otero of Granados, Nabi Kibunguchy, Taifi, and Franco Perez. The midfield four were the same as the midweek contest, consisting of Imanol Almaguer, Juninho, Cristian Medina, and Jhon Solis. First-team forwards Shak Mohammed and Lynn started up top.

The start of the game was delayed due to severe weather, pushing the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff to 8:45. The Young Lions dominated the game once it kicked off, destroying FC Cincinnati 2 in every statistical category. The hosts scored three goals on just four shots, keeping them in the game, and some bad giveaways by OCB on its own side of the field is why the winning margin was only two.

Other than the long delay, there was nothing out of the ordinary in the first half. But the second half went off the rails with the teams combining for six goals, including two times where multiple goals were scored within two minutes of each other.

OCB kicked off and immediately went downfield looking for a quick start. Solis ended up with the ball outside of the box and took the game’s first shot, but it was blocked by Garcia. Following that initial chance, the game slowed down for a few minutes.

The Young Lions got their second chance in the eighth minute from a short corner. Solis received the ball and sent it back to Juninho well outside of the box. Despite the distance, the OCB captain attempted a curling shot that went just over the head of the Cincinnati defense, forcing Evan Louro to push it away.

FC Cincinnati 2 had its first chance in the 11th minute when Lynn received the ball on the opposition side of the field and immediately lost it. The hosts used some quick passing to head the other way in numbers. Otero came off his line to challenge the attacker and Granados was there to clear it away.

In the 13th minute, Juninho lost possession of the ball near his own end line and ended up knocking it out for a Cincinnati throw in. Bret Halsey found Mills in the box and the forward immediately laid it off for Dreas for a shot. The attempt skipped across the front of the goal, but was never on target and went out for a goal kick.

OCB hit the woodwork in the 20th minute when Lynn found Perez on the left. The left back sent a long ball towards the back post where Taifi was making a run into the box. The defender volleyed the ball towards goal and on target. Lynn was inside the six-yard box and beat Joey Akpunonu to send it on, but flicked it off the crossbar.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 30th minute after an OCB turnover in the defensive half, when Kibunguchy stepped up to challenge Quimi Ordonez, taking out the forward and receiving a yellow card. Halsey took the ensuing set piece, finding the head of Garcia between Kibunguchy and Mohammed. The defender’s header was beyond the reach of Otero and into the top corner of the goal to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.

In the 34th minute, Juninho drew two defenders as he approached the box and laid it off for Lynn. Rather than attempting to get a closer look, Lynn released a shot from distance. It was a strong attempt and on target, but Louro had a good view of it the whole way and blocked it.

Two minutes later, Mohammed sent a cross to the top of the six-yard box that found the head of Kibunguchy. Looking to make up for his earlier foul that resulted in the opening goal, the center back headed the ball down, but Louro was there to collect it.

The Young Lions found an equalizer in the 39th minute through a great individual effort by Juninho. A throw-in by OCB ended up with the midfielder in a seemingly innocuous position. The Brazilian split two defenders before entering the box and sent a strong shot towards the goal. The ball beat Louro into the far corner to even the game at 1-1.

The final chance of the first half came in the 45th minute, when Solis found Mohammed at the top of the Cincinnati box. The forward attempted a long-distance shot, but it was always going high and didn’t cause any concern for Louro.

After 45 minutes of play, OCB had more possession (72.5%-27.5%), shots (8-2), shots on target (5-1), corners (6-0), crosses (14-2), and better passing accuracy (92%-74.1%). However, the hosts made it to the break with the game tied at 1-1.

As if the long delay to start the game didn’t make the night long enough for both teams, the start of the second half was delayed when the referees didn’t appear from the locker room. Both teams waited for around 10 minutes, warming up while they waited for the officials to arrive. Eventually, they decided to show up and the second half commenced.

OCB got off to an inauspicious second-half start, conceding a goal inside the first minute. Dribbling the ball out of the back, Perez lost it to Dreas at the top of the center circle. Dreas found Mills to his right before entering the box and the forward quickly shot. Granados was on the attacker and appeared to get a touch to the ball, enabling it to flick over Otero and in to make it 2-1 Cincinnati.

The Young Lions got their first shot of the second half in the 52nd minute when a long ball by Solis for Mohammed was touched back for Lynn. The forward shot from outside of the box, but it was blocked by Akpunonu. A minute later, Perez found Mohammed at the penalty spot, but his header was right at Louro.

The hosts made OCB pay for those misses when they scored a third in the 54th minute. It started when Solis attempted to dribble through a defender, but lost the ball. Cincinnati worked it to the left where it ended up with Isaiah Foster. The midfielder quickly found halftime substitute Philip Horton, who sent a cross to the near post. Mills was there to redirect the ball past Otero for his second goal of the game.

Right off the kickoff, OCB got a goal back. Juninho made a long run towards the Cincinnati box and found Perez on the left. The left back quickly sent a low cross into the box for Lynn. The forward couldn’t control the ball, but it bounced off Dreas and past Louro to make it a 3-2 game.

OCB nearly found an equalizer in the 65th minute when Solis took a shot from outside of the box. Louro had been sure-handed for most of the game, but blocked the ball to Lynn right in front of goal with nobody around. Unfortunately, Lynn hit the rebound into the ground and over the goal from point-blank range.

Juninho nearly topped his earlier goal in the 67th minute when he made a long run into the Cincinnati box. He dribbled through three defenders and used some fancy footwork to create space for a shot. The midfielder was aiming for the far post and beat Louro, but the ball skipped just wide.

Three minutes later, Juninho scored his second goal of the game. Solis found him just outside of the box and he used a good touch to beat his defender, creating room for a shot. With plenty of space, Juninho hit the top corner of the goal for the second time in the game to tie it at 3-3.

The Young Lions took their first lead of the night two minutes later. Solis sent Perez down the left and the defender took a shot on goal that was blocked by Louro. The rebound went right back to Perez, but Louro made a second stop. Finally, Lynn ended up with the ball and put it in to give OCB a 4-3 lead.

In the 75th minute, OCB extended its advantage. The Young Lions had a throw-in and FC Cincinnati 2 took the stoppage to make a substitution. Taifi threw it to Juninho, who spun to beat his defender. Nobody stepped up to challenge him, allowing enough time to slip the ball through for Lynn. Louro got a piece of the shot, but not enough as it went in to make it 5-3.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made his first change in the 78th minute, replacing Lynn with Cristofer Acuna.

In the 82nd minute, OCB almost scored a sixth. The Young Lions used quick movement and sharp passing to maintain possession, primarily working through Mohammed. Eventually, Medina played the ball for Almaguer, but he let it go to Perez behind him. The defender played it to Almaguer, who made a run towards the end line and received it back at the top of the box. After a couple of touches inside to beat his defender, Perez shot past Louro towards the top corner. It was heading in, but Akpunonu got his head to the ball, clearing it off the goal line.

Two minutes after that attempt, Perelman made four changes. Tahir Reid-Brown, Fernando Sanchez, Wilfredo Rivera, and Thomas Williams all came on at the same time for Perez, Solis, Mohammed, and Almaguer.

OCB was just trying to see out the game, but lost a player in the 89th minute when Rivera was shown a straight red by referee Jeremy Scheer. Horton received the ball on the sideline and used a quick touch to beat Medina. Rivera came flying in, swinging at the ball but missing it and catching Horton. Scheer immediately issued Rivera a red card, but replays showed it should’ve been a yellow at most. Since VAR doesn’t exist in MLS NEXT Pro, OCB had to finish the game with 10 men. Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, Rivera will serve his suspension the next time the two teams meet in the final game of the season.

FC Cincinnati 2 held possession for most of the four added minutes, but was unable to create anything and OCB returns home with three points from Northern Kentucky.

Overall, it was a dominant performance by the Young Lions. They had more possession (67.7%-32.3%), shots (24-4), shots on target (13-3), corners (8-0), and crosses (23-6), and better passing accuracy (88.3%-77.3%). Given the statistical dominance, it was only fair that the Young Lions claimed all three points.

The Young Lions have struggled on the road for most of the season, so this is a welcome result as they look to make the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs for the first time. It’s their third win away from home this season after opening the year by beating Philadelphia Union II 3-1 and Inter Miami II 1-0 on May 25.

The win keeps OCB in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of Atlanta United 2. The Young Lions are also three points behind New York Red Bulls II for fourth with 12 games remaining.

After playing two games this week, OCB will have a full week off before facing Huntsville City FC in Alabama next Sunday night.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Off to Strong Start to 2026 Season

The Young Lions are getting results early in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.

Published

2 weeks ago

on

March 26, 2026

By

Image of the OCB squad before the team's game March 8, 2026 vs. Chicago Fire II.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Justin Glatt

I think it is important that I open with an apology, because a week ago I wrote about how Orlando City needed to improve its league-worst defense, and then the Lions went to Nashville and somehow were unable to improve upon a 3.00 goals-against average. After the 5-0 shellacking in Tennessee Orlando City’s goals-against average now sits at 3.40, with 17 goals allowed through five games. That is somehow not the worst five-game run during any individual season in club history, as the 2018 Lions matched the year by allowing 18 goals during a five-game stretch during their nine-game losing streak (those were fun times), but allowing 17 goals in a five-game stretch is the kind of start to a season that makes a (drinking-age) fan want to pour themselves a stiff drink.

Or the whole bottle.

Speaking of drinking, if you have not been watching Orlando City B this year, you have been missing out on some epic “drunk OCB” matches, including the most recent game on Sunday (a 4-4 Junior Tropic Thunder match against Inter Miami II) about which our The Mane Land PawedCast host Michael Citro said that “there has never been a drunker OCB game than this (one).” Drunk games, in this context, just means matches where crazy things happen with no rhyme or reason, and you never know what is going to happen next.

The Young Lions are off to a start full of both drunk games and positive results, as unlike the senior team, they have earned more points than games played and have an offense that looks like it is among the best in the league.

Metric*MLS NEXT Pro Avg.OCBMLS NEXT Pro Rank
Points Earned1.52.0T-6
Shots13.519.81
Shots on Target5.28.81
Big Chances Created2.44.51
Goals1.72.55

*All metrics are on a per-game basis

Part of the reason these games might be so “drunk” is that OCB is both scoring and allowing 2.5 goals per game, so the Young Lions and their opponents are taking shots all game long, creating the possibilities for wild comebacks and last-gasp goals. The main reason though is that OCB’s offense is stacked, with five top quality players to fill the attacking spots at the top of its standard 4-2-3-1 lineup.

OCB has generally gone with Gustavo Caraballo, Harvey Sarajian, and Yutaro Tsukada out on the wings, Justin Ellis as the center attacking midfielder and Pedro Leão as striker, though Leão did not play in one game and Logan Tsopanoglou got the start in his absence. Tsukada has been above average when he played, but the standouts have been Caraballo, Ellis, Leão, and Sarajian.

MetricCaraballoEllisLeão Sarajian
Current Age17181921
Goal Contributions (G+A)4525
Key Passes812511
FotMob Rating (out of 10)7.648.017.448.33
Goal Contributions Rank85285
Key Passes Rank142513
FotMob Rating Rank3914714

The counting numbers in the table are a little misleading for Leão, as he has played one fewer game than the others, and Caraballo, who despite appearing in all four OCB games, has played fewer minutes than the other three. However, even with fewer minutes played, both Caraballo and Leão are already contributing to OCB’s excellent offense, especially Caraballo, whose goal contributions per 90 minutes ranks fifth, while Ellis and Sarajian rank 15th and 16th, respectively.

The current age of each player is also noted in the table above, and Caraballo, Ellis, and Leão are all younger than 20.9, which is the average age of the top 25 players in MLS NEXT Pro FotMob ratings through four games. According to transfermarkt.com, OCB has used the fifth-youngest set of players through the first four games, and with young players always come ups and downs and the propensity for games to bounce around all over the place like a ball on a roulette wheel, like in the comebacks from multiple goals down against Carolina Core and Inter Miami II.

Those backs and forths are what our The Mane Land team refers to as the “drunk OCB” games, and when you combine the crazy types of games with players of precocious skill and potential, the games are definitely worth watching. The senior Lions are inevitably going to start playing better, but for now the best men’s team to watch in Orlando is OCB. Just like Orlando City, OCB is off this weekend, but several current and former Young Lions will be with their youth national teams during the international break — another sign of the solid pipeline of talent that is ready to flow into the first team.

Tahir Reid-Brown and Colin Guske have already played more than 140 minutes for Orlando City this season, and Zakaria Taifi (64), Tsukada (18), and Leão (6) also have all seen the field. The senior team’s bench is generally made up of at least three or four players who primarily play with OCB, and even with the acquisition of Antoine Griezmann crowding the list of attacking players, Caraballo and Ellis will likely play some minutes with the first team this season.

Go ahead and (Makers) mark your calendars for OCB’s next game on April 11 and prepare to settle in for a happy hour and a half of soccer that may not be of the same top shelf quality as an MLS game but never fails to entertain.

Vamos Orlando…City B!

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami II: Final Score 4-4 (4-2) as OCB Completes Improbable Comeback

OCB came back from a three-goal deficit to draw Inter Miami II at Inter&Co Stadium, then took the extra point in the shootout.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

March 22, 2026

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Justin Glatt

Orlando City B (2-1-1, 8 points) played to an enthralling draw tonight against Inter Miami II (0-2-2, 2 points) at Inter&Co Stadium. The visitors took a commanding 2-0 lead inside five minutes and had a 4-1 lead shortly after halftime. But OCB came storming back to even the game 4-4 in stoppage time. The Young Lions then won the penalty shootout to claim the extra point.

OCB interim coach Julian Vergara made four changes from the team that defeated Carolina Core 3-2 on March 14. Tristan Himes, Tahir Reid-Brown, Yutaro Tsukada, and Pedro Leao returned from the first team, replacing Juan Rojas, Nicholas Lasheras, Gustavo Caraballo, and Logan Tsopanoglou.

The back line in front of Himes in goal was Bernardo Rhein, Reid-Brown, Titus Sandy, Jr., and Jaylen Yearwood. Dylan Judelson and Dominik Baczewski were in the defensive midfield behind Tsukada, Justin Ellis, and Harvey Sarajian with Leao up top.

This was a game of missed opportunities for OCB. Both teams had several bad giveaways, but Miami was able to turn those into goals. Meanwhile, OCB struggled to find the back of the net. The Young Lions put themselves in a three-goal hole before they came storming back to tie it up, but they’ll wonder what could’ve been if they’d converted some of the golden opportunities in the both halves, including three shots with the goalkeeper out of the net that didn’t go in.

The visitors struck early when a heavy touch by Yearwood on a Miami throw-in allowed Naej Desravins to reach it first. The midfielder played it wide for Preston Plambeck, who guided the ball around Himes and inside the far post to give Miami an early 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for the team in pink to double its advantage and it came from an OCB attack. In the fifth minute, Sarajian outran the Miami defense to reach a long Judelson pass. After a brief hesitation, his shot was too close to Max Ponikarovsky, who made the save with his left hand.

Miami immediately broke the other way with Plambeck sending a long ball forward for Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida. Reid-Brown got in front of the attacker, but Zeltzer-Zubida created enough space for a shot. The midfielder sent a curling ball over Himes and inside the far post to make 2-0 just five minutes into the game.

The Young Lions finally got their second shot of the game in the 16th minute when Tsukada made a run down the left and sent a cross to the near post for Leao. The Brazilian beat his defender to it and flicked the ball on target, but Ponikarovsky was there to catch it.

On the other end, the Herons felt they should’ve had a penalty when Theo Vorenkamp found Diego Rey in the OCB box. Himes came out to collect but missed the ball. Rey went down with contact and threw his arms up, appealing for a penalty. However, referee Aleja Calume decided it wasn’t enough to point to the spot.

The Young Lions nearly took advantage of a Miami mistake in the 23rd minute when Leao intercepted a poor pass from Desravins to Samuel Basabe. The striker used his body to shield Basabe and get into the box, but Ponikarovsky came off his line to take the ball off of Leao’s foot, ensuring he couldn’t get a shot off.

In the 34th minute, Tsukada had the ball taken off him but the heavy touch went right to Rhein. The left back quickly played it to Leao at the top of the box and, after controlling it, the forward put a shot on target. Unfortunately, it was a weak attempt that caused no trouble for Ponikarovsky.

As Miami attempted to play the ball out of the back, OCB took possession of a poor pass. Ellis played the ball wide left for Tsukada, who found Leao making a run into the box. The Brazilian tried to guide the ball inside the far post but put it wide.

A minute later, Miami again failed to play the ball out of the back, giving it away to Judelson. The midfielder quickly sent it forward for Ellis, who found Leao entering the box. The Brazilian’s first touch was past Ponikarovsky, cutting the deficit in half.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. In the 38th minute, Sandy played an inaccurate long ball by Miami back to Himes. The goalkeeper sent a short pass to Reid-Brown on his left, but the defender misplayed it, allowing Alejandro Flores to take possession. He played the ball across the box where Rey flicked it on for Plambeck. The forward put it in to make it 3-1.

In the 42nd minute, Rhein received a long switch on the left. He sent a beautiful ball to the top of the six that fell to Leao, who was looking for a brace. The Brazilian redirected it on target but sent it right to Ponikarovsky. Two minutes later, Rhein had a similar chance for himself. Ellis backheeled the ball to Sarajian on the left and the midfielder sent a cross to the penalty spot, where Rhein was making a run. The young defender’s first touch was a shot that went right into Ponikarovsky’s arms.

In the 44th minute, Judelson sent a long ball left for Sarajian. Ponikarovsky came off his line to clear the ball, but his defender got to it first. Trying to play it out for a throw-in, he knocked the ball off Sarajian. The ball went to Leao with the goalkeeper getting there first. But he couldn’t control it and Ellis took possession. With the goalkeeper out of the play, Ellis shot. Unfortunately, Tyler Hall got in front of the goal to block it. Ellis then beat his defender for another chance, but he again sent it right at Hall, who kept it out of the net.

OCB created more chances than Miami in the first 45 minutes, ending the half with more shots (9-6), shots on target (7-3), and corner kicks (3-1). But Miami had better passing accuracy (82.2%-74.9%). The difference between the teams was that Miami made the Young Lions pay for their mistakes in the back and OCB struggled to do so.

Miami was forced into an unusual substitution at halftime. Ponikarovsky was taken off in a concussion change, replaced in goal by Alex Padilla.

OCB started the second half the way it ended the first half, giving the ball away in its own end. A weak pass by Reid-Brown was taken by Rey, who fired on target. Himes was there to make the stop.

In the 49th minute, Miami scored a fourth when Zeltzer-Zubida took possession of the ball near midfield. The attacker made a long run down the right, getting behind the OCB back line and playing the ball past Himes to make it 4-1.

Judelson took a strong shot in the 53rd minute that forced Padilla to tip it over the crossbar. The ensuing corner was headed out, but Sarajian was there to take possession. The midfielder made a nice move to the end line and played a good ball in front of goal, where Ellis was behind the back line to tap it in and make it a 4-2 game.

Tsukada tried to get another one back in the 53rd minute when he dribbled across the top of the Miami box and fired an off-balance shot after some contact. It wasn’t clear if the attempt was on target, but Padilla dove to collect it anyway. That was Tsukada’s final touch as Vergara made his first two changes in the 57th minute, replacing Tsukada and Yearwood with Parker Amoo-Mensah and Caraballo.

Play restarted with a free kick for OCB that Caraballo played short to Ellis. After taking a couple of touches forward, Ellis fired a shot that was caught by Padilla.

In the 60th minute, Caraballo put a strong shot towards goal that Padilla palmed away. A poor clearance allowed OCB to keep possession in the Miami half, which ended up with Sarajian on the left. He played it to Rhein, who made an overlapping run before sending Ellis into the six-yard box. There was a collision before the ball went wide and a foul was called on Ellis.

OCB got back into the game in the 68th minute with some quick passing at the top of the Miami box. Rhein, Leao, and Ellis combined to get the ball to Carabllo who did well to finish past Padilla, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

In the 79th minute, OCB failed to clear the ball, enabling Miami to take possession in the box. It ended up with Alejo Ristano, who looked like he would give Miami another two-goal lead, but Himes did well to come off his line and block the attempt.

On the other end, Caraballo was fouled by Mario Stoka, giving OCB a free kick in the opposing third. The teenager went for goal on his own, sending his shot just wide of the near post.

The Young Lions won the ball back on the goal kick, allowing Rhein to send Sarajian behind the Miami back line. He dribbled around Padilla and fired on the empty net, but his shot hit the near post.

In the 84th minute, Rey was sent through and it looked like he would have a free shot on goal. However, Sandy got in front of the shot to deflect it wide. OCB cleared the ensuing corner kick, keeping the deficit at one.

The game turned even more in the 87th minute when Padilla went off injured. Having already replaced their starting goalkeeper at halftime, the Herons put the gloves on defender Ristano. Additionally, since they had already used all three substitutions windows, the visitors would end the game with 10 men.

Vergara used his second window and third substitution in the 90th minute as OCB searched for an equalizer. Caleb Trombino, who scored the late equalizer against Carolina, replaced Judelson.

Giving the Young Lions even more motivation, the fourth official showed 13 minutes of stoppage time.

In the first minute, Ellis dribbled across the top of the Miami box before firing on goal. However, a defender got in front before it reached Ristano, deflecting it wide.

The ensuing corner went to the far side of the box where Rhein took possession. The left back fired at the near post, but Ristano blocked it wide for his first save.

Caraballo took the second corner kick and it was one to remember. The midfielder curled his set piece delivery over the outstretched arms of Ristano and inside the far post for an Olimpico, completing the comeback and tying the game at 4-4.

Playing against 10 men and an outfield player in goal, OCB continued to push for a late winner. The Young Lions thought they might have taken the lead in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Rhein sent Belgodere down the left. Caraballo was wide open to tap the ball in, but Belgodere was judged to be offside on the initial ball forward.

Ristano was forced into his second save in the seventh minute when Rhein found Ellis in the box. The attacker sent the ball wide for Belgodere, who gave it right back. Ellis spun and fired, but Ristano blocked it wide with his leg, keeping the game tied. Caraballo took the ensuing corner kick and attempted another Olimpico, but this one hit the outside netting behind the near post.

Despite being down a man, Miami had a chance for a winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time when Zeltzer-Zubida sent a long pass to Plambeck on the left side. Creating space for a shot and looking for a hat trick, Plambeck fired for the near post, forcing Himes to block it away.

A minute later, OCB had a chance when Ellis dipped his shoulder to turn on his defender before sending Sarajian into the Miami box. As the defense closed in on him, the attacker found Belgodere open to his left. The teenager’s first touch was a shot, but Rondell White got in front just in time to block the attempt.

Vergara made his final substitution in the 12th minute of stoppage time, replacing Sandy with Lasheras.

Shortly after, the final whistle blew. At full time, OCB had more shots (27-14), shots on target (17-7), and corner kicks (9-7). Miami had slightly better passing accuracy (79%-78.7%) and both teams recorded seven crosses.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, each team earned a point and the game went to penalties to see who would get a second.

Rey and Caraballo began the penalties with excellent finishes. After Basabe sent Himes the wrong way, Ristano nearly saved Ellis’ attempt. He got in front of the shot, but the ball slipped under him and in.

That was what OCB needed, because Himes saved Zeltzer-Zubida’s panenka and, after Sarajian made it 3-2, Joseph Convers sent his attempt over the crossbar.

Amoo-Mensah stepped up and placed his penalty well to secure the second point for the Young Lions.

This game can be considered a point lost or two points gained. OCB created more chances than Miami and could’ve come away with all three points had it converted one more. However, being down 4-1 early in the second half, the Young Lions came all the way back to pull out the draw.

In the end, while both teams will probably feel as though they should’ve come away with all three points, they’ll both be pleased to get something from the contest.

The two points moves OCB into sixth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference with eight points from four games. They’re tied on points with New York Red Bulls II for third, two points behind New England Revolution II for second, and four points behind the league-leading Crown Legacy FC.

The Young Lions now have an extended break as they return to the field on April 11 against Chattanooga FC in Tennessee.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Chicago Fire FC II: Final Score 2-1 as Young Lions Pick Up First Win of the Season

OCB claims its first points of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire FC II.

Published

1 month ago

on

March 8, 2026

By

Image of Pedro Leao taking a shot against Chicago Fire II.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Justin Glatt

Orlando City B (1-1-0, 3 points) secured its first win of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season tonight, defeating Chicago Fire FC II (0-1-1, 2 points) 2-1 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Pedro Leao gave the Young Lions the lead in the 39th minute before a failed clearance allowed Jack Sandmeyer to equalize just before halftime. Justin Ellis’ rocket in the 72nd minute restored OCB’s lead and proved to be the winner.

There were four changes to the OCB team that lost 3-1 to Huntsville City FC Monday night. Javier Otero had to play Saturday for the first team after Maxime Creapeau was sent off. As a result, Tristan Himes got his first start of the season in goal. Additionally, Dylan Judelson, Jaylen Yearwood, and Yutaro Tsukada got their first starts in place of Caleb Trombino, Issah Haruna, and Gustavo Caraballo.

The back line in front of Himes was Bernardo Rhein, Titus Sandy, Jr., Zakaria Taifi, and Yearwood. Judelson and Nicolas Lasheras were the defensive midfielders behind Tsukada, Ellis, and Harvey Sarajian with Leao up top.

This was a game of missed chances for both teams. Each could have had a goal in the first half but was able to convert before halftime. However, they’ll feel they should’ve come away with more as both squads missed some big chances. Add in some quality saves by Himes and Owen Pratt and the 2-1 scoreline doesn’t tell the story of the game.

The Young Lions created the first attempt in the fifth minute when Leao was sent behind the back line. Pratt came out to cut down the striker’s angle, but he got a shot off with the keeper out of position and the net wide open. Unfortunately, it was too weak and the Fire were able to clear.

A minute later, OCB nearly got a second attempt at goal when Ellis used some nifty footwork to create space and send Leao through. However, this one was a little too far in front of the striker and Pratt was able to cover.

The first attempt for the visitors came in the eighth minute when Vitaly Hlyut took a shot from just outside the box. Taifi got in front of the attempt, deflecting it over the crossbar. Chicago couldn’t do anything on the ensuing corner kick, allowing OCB to end the threat.

Damian Nigg attempted a similar play in the 11th minute when he took a shot from just outside the box. Taifi got in front again, but this one was blocked out instead of deflected over the goal.

The Young Lions might have gotten a little lucky in the 18th minute when Trip Fleming was sent though before being taken down by Sandy. He was definitely behind Sandy and probably behind the rest of the back line, but referee Gerald Flores only gave a yellow card despite protests by the Chicago players and staff.

Himes made an easy catch on the ensuing set piece and OCB escaped with nothing more than a caution.

Chicago nearly took the lead in the 24th minute when Nigg made a run into the box and Yearwood blocked his cross out of play. Nigg’s ensuing corner kick was headed on goal by Sandmeyer. Lasheras mishit the clearance and nearly scored an own goal, but Himes was able to knock it off the line.

On the other end, OCB nearly scored when a Yearwood cross was mishit by Josue Pfrommer, forcing Pratt into a save. The block went right to Leao, who put it back on target, but Pratt blocked it out of play. The Young Lions couldn’t create anything from the corner kick and the game remained scoreless.

Chicago had achance to open the scoring in the 34th minute when Hlyut found Nigg with space on the left side of the OCB box. The attacker’s second touch was a shot that hit the outside of the net.

The Young Lions finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Sarajian did well to shield his defender and make a long run down the right. The rookie found Leao near the top of the six-yard box, and the Brazilian guided the ball past Pratt to give his team a 1-0 lead.

In the 45th minute, Nagle used a dummy move to beat Tsukada before finding Robert Turdean. The midfielder’s first touch was to Fleming, whose shot was deflected out of play by Taifi.

Lasheras headed the ensuing corner kick over the end line, giving Chicago a second set piece. This one was chested towards goal by David Poreba. Lasheras and Himes were there and it appeared to be an easy clearance, but they were unable to do so, allowing Sandmeyer to knock in the equalizing goal in first-half stoppage time.

OCB nearly retook the lead in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Taifi played Leao forward and the striker’s first touch sent Yearwood down the right. The right back sent the ball back centrally for Leao, making a trailing run. He couldn’t get much on it, but the ball rolled to Tsukada right behind. The midfielder attempted to guide the ball inside the far post, and it appeared to be on target, but Pfrommer got there just in time to clear it away.

The final chance of the first half came in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Taifi fouled Charles Nagle, earning a yellow card and giving Chicago a free kick near the top of the OCB box. The set piece by Nigg was headed out, but only to Hlyut, who fired on goal. While Judelson got in front to block it, Chicago kept possession. It was sent down the right side of the box to Turdean, who found Hugo Berg. Fortunately, his first-touch shot was wide of the far post.

The halftime whistle blew immediately after the miss and the game went into the break at 1-1. After 45 minutes, Chicago had the edge in shots (12-6) and shots on target (2-1). While both teams had four corner kicks and two crosses, OCB had better passing accuracy (85.4%-81.9%).

OCB had the first chance of the second half and it came inside the first minute. Sarajian took possession near the top right corner of the Chicago box, laying it off for Judelson. The Canadian youth international’s first touch was a shot that forced Pratt into a good save.

In the 55th minute, Poreba sent the ball forward and continued his run, allowing him to receive it back. The attacker had space to shoot, but Taifi got in front to block it out of play. OCB cleared the ensuing corner kick and the game remained tied. Two minutes later, Poreba had another chance, this time from outside the box. It was well struck, forcing Himes to tip the ball over the crossbar. The corner kick was too close to the OCB shot stopper, who collected it.

Tsukada created a good chance in the 60th minute, finding space from Oscar Pineda and sending a hard shot toward the far post. It was on target, but Pratt did well to dive to his right and make the one-handed stop.

Just a minute later, Tsukada went down and required attention from the OCB training staff. Head Coach Manuel Goldberg took the opportunity to make his first two changes. Caraballo and Dominik Baczewski came into the game for Tsukada and Lasheras.

Shortly after the substitutions, OCB nearly retook the lead when Yearwood’s low cross was blocked to the top of the box. Baczewski took possession and played it square for Caraballo. The teenager’s shot was on target but caught by Pratt.

The visitors had a great chance in the 65th minute when a long ball was taken down well, and Dean Boltz was sent behind the back line. Himes came off his line to cut down the angle as Boltz sent his shot under the right arm and toward the far post. Fortunately, it hit the woodwork and stayed out. Boltz was sent over the top in the 69th minute as the ball glanced off Sandy’s head and in behind the back line. The attacker was in on goal as Himes came off his line and the goalkeeper did well to block the shot.

Goldberg made his third change of the game in the 71st minute, replacing Yearwood with Parker Amoo-Mensah.

A minute later, the Young Lions retook the lead. Rhein sent Ellis into the box on the left, and the attacker did well to create enough space for a shot. There wasn’t much Pratt could do about it as Ellis sent a rocket inside the far post to give his team a 2-1 lead with less than 20 minutes to play.

OCB’s high press forced a turnover in the 75th minute and it nearly turned into a third goal. Leao took possession and backheeled the ball to Baczewski, who found Ellis in the box. It looked like Ellis had enough space for a shot, but he backheeled it to Judelson instead, and the midfielder’s shot was blocked by Fleming. The Young Lions had another chance six minutes later when Tidiane Diawara fouled Amoo-Mensah in the Chicago third of the field. Caraballo took the set piece, playing it short to Ellis. The attacker shot from distance, looking for his second goal, but he sent the low shot right to Pratt.

On the other end, Chicago created a chance when Poreba played a pass to Boltz between two defenders. The substitute fired from the top of the box, but he sent the attempt wide.

In the 84th minute, Ellis found Leao with space in the box. The striker’s second touch was a shot that rolled wide of the far post. That was the last attack for both goal scorers as they were replaced in the 86th minute by Landon Okonski and Logan Tsopanoglou.

OCB had a good opportunity in the first minute of stoppage time when Sandmeyer took Sarajian down near the top corner of the Chicago box. Caraballo took the set piece, sending it right to Pratt.

Despite chasing the game, Chicago was unable to create anything in the OCB third of the field. The only chance for either team in the dying minutes was a free kick that Caraballo sent straight to Pratt from distance.

At full time, Chicago had the advantage in shots (19-16), corner kicks (7-6), and crosses (6-4). But OCB put more attempts on target (7-6) and had better passing accuracy (82.5%-80.8%).

The win gives OCB its first three points of the season as the club’s reserve side split the two-game homestand to open the year.

The Young Lions will now head out on the road as they face Carolina Core FC Saturday afternoon.

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