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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Atlanta United 2: Final Score 3-2 as 10-Man OCB Completes Memorable Comeback

OCB came back from a red card and a one-goal deficit to beat Atlanta United 2.

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2 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

KISSIMMEE — Orlando City B (9-7-2, 30 points) came back from a Thomas Williams red card and a one-goal deficit to beat Atlanta United 2 (6-7-5, 24 points) 3-2 tonight at Osceola County Stadium. A Noah Cobb own goal opened the scoring, but Jackson Conway equalized with a late first-half penalty. Nick Firmino gave Atlanta the lead in the second half before substitutes Cristofer Acuna and Wilfredo Rivera took advantage of a pair of bad clearances to claim all three points.

After a poor defensive performance last weekend against Huntsville City FC, OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman changed four of the team’s five defensive starters. Mason Stajduhar, Zakaria Taifi, Williams, and Moises Tablante all entered the lineup, replacing Javier Otero, Nabi Kibunguchy, Alejandro Granados, and Franco Perez. The only defender to remain in the starting lineup was right back Alex Freeman. Meanwhile, Perelman only made one attacking change, replacing Favian Loyola with Shak Mohammed.

The starting lineup consisted of Stajduhar behind a back line of Tablante, Williams, Taifi, and Freeman. Imanol Almaguer, Cristian Medina, Juninho, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield, and Mohammed partnered Jack Lynn up top.

The Young Lions dominated this game from the kickoff, controlling possession and the chances throughout the match. A late first-half red card and penalty to Atlanta looked to be a game-changer and it appeared as though the visitors would get their first win away from home when Firmino gave them the lead in the 60th minute. But OCB took advantage of some sloppy play in the back by goalkeeper Justin Garces, enabling the Young Lions to get their sixth home win of 2023.

OCB controlled possession in the opening minutes, but it took until the seventh minute to create the first chance. A throw-in into the Atlanta box was cleared out to Medina. The midfielder fired from long distance, but it was into the arms of goalkeeper Garces, who easily collected it.

The Young Lions had their second chance in the 11th minute when Conway fouled Juninho near midfield. Tablante sent the set piece long into the Atlanta box, where it found the head of Mohammed. The forward was able to redirect the ball towards goal, but put it wide.

OCB had another pair of chances in the 15th minute when Mohammed dribbled to the top of the Atlanta box. He had Freeman open on his right, but decided to take a shot himself. Erik Centeno got in front of the attempt, blocking it wide of the goal. The ensuing short corner ended up with Almaguer, who lifted the ball forward for Freeman, but his header was wide.

In the 24th minute, OCB should’ve opened the scoring when a low cross by Tablante found Mohammed just outside of the six-yard box and directly in front of the goal. Mohammed’s shot was right at Garces, who blocked it to his right. Freeman was there to collect it and put a second shot on goal, but Garces was up to the challenge again, blocking it wide for a corner kick.

The Young Lions finally broke through in the 29th minute. Tablante received the ball down the left and sent a cross into the box. Juninho was making a run, but it was too close to the goal. Cobb attempted to clear the ball with Garces right behind him, but the goalkeeper didn’t call off his center back. Cobb attempted to clear it but mishit the ball, sending it behind Garces for an own goal.

OCB had another attempt off the Atlanta kickoff, quickly pushing the other way. Almaguer sent Tablante into the box and the left back had a shot from a tight angle. Unfortunately, it hit the side netting in the last action before the first-half hydration break.

Lynn nearly took over the MLS NEXT Pro goal-scoring lead in the 38th minute when Solis sent Tablante forward into the Atlanta box. The midfielder saved the ball from going out of play and played it back for Lynn, who was wide open in front of the goal. His first touch was a shot, but Garces reacted quickly to knock it wide. The goalkeeper caught the ensuing corner kick, ending the threat.

The game took a wild turn in the 42nd minute when OCB started to fall apart. Freeman was sent behind the Atlanta defense and reached the ball before Garces, who came out of his box. The right back attempted to flick the ball over the goalkeeper, but it was blocked by Garces’ arm, but referee Emma Richards allowed play to continue. Since there’s no video review in MLS NEXT Pro, there was no review of the play.

Meanwhile, Atlanta United 2 sprinted the other way with Tyler Young sending Conway into the OCB box. Williams challenged the forward with a slide tackle and Conway went down. This time, Richards called a foul and pointed to the spot. OCB protested the call and Richards eventually issued Williams his second yellow card. Rather than Garces being sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity as the last man and committing a handball infraction, it was the Young Lions who had to play with 10 men for the final 48 minutes.

Conway stepped up to take the penalty, sending it past Stajduhar and into the corner to even the game at 1-1. That was the last first-half chance for either team, a disappointing ending to a dominant half by the Young Lions.

“Everybody saw what happened, right? A crazy sequence when it’s a clear red for their goalkeeper,” Perelman said after the game. “And the referee, I don’t know what did she did. Honestly, I don’t know, because it was so clear, and then from there we did the penalty and the red card, 1-1.”

After 45 minutes, OCB had more possession (57.1%-42.9%), shots (9-1), shots on target (5-1), corner kicks (5-1), and crosses (7-5), and better passing accuracy (91.6%-86.8%). The only first-half shot for Atlanta was the penalty.

Atlanta United 2 kicked off the second half and created the first chance. Jonantan Villal, who came on at halftime for Shawn Lanza, dribbled down the left and found Firmino in the box. The co-leading scorer in MLS NEXT Pro attempted to dribble through a pair of defenders, but lost control and his balance, allowing OCB to take over.

Despite being a man down, OCB created an even better chance on the other end. Juninho carried the ball down the middle and found Mohammed to his right. Lynn made a run behind Centeno and Mohammed attempted to connect with his striking partner. But the pass was a bit too far in front of the forward.

The visitors had a second chance in the 50th minute when Centeno sent a cross near the OCB penalty spot. Firmino and Kofi Twumasi both went for the ball, colliding with each other. Twumasi was the one to get his head to it, but sent the attempt over the crossbar.

In the 55th minute, Solis created another chance for OCB at the top of the Atlanta box. He used some good footwork to turn Toni Tiente, who came on for Adyn Torres in the 50th minute, opening up a shot at goal. But it was right at Garces who made the easy save.

Atlanta United 2 had a pair of chances in the 57th minute and nearly took the lead. Centeno sent a cross into the box that went just over the outstretched arm of Stajduhar and just out of the reach of Firmino. The ball ended up with Conway on the other side, and he shot on goal. It got past Stajduhar, but Medina was there to block it away.

Three minutes later, Atlanta took its first lead of the night. Luke Brennan sent a cross into the box from the right and Firmino beat a pair of OCB defenders to it. Stajduhar didn’t have a chance as the strong header flew past him to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Perelman began to make changes immediately after the goal. In the 61st minute, it was an attacking substitution as Rivera came on for Freeman. Three minutes later, Acuna replaced Lynn. Those changes turned out to be key as Rivera and Acuna went on to play pivotal roles in OCB’s comeback.

OCB had a chance to equalize in the 70th minute, starting with a dangerous cross through the box by Mohammed. Unfortunately, nobody was close enough to get on the end of it. The Young Lions recycled, resulting in the ball ending up with Juninho. He laid it off for Rivera for a shot, but it was just over the crossbar.

A minute later, Atlanta should’ve taken a two-goal lead and put the game away when Brennan was sent behind the OCB defense. Stajduhar came out to challenge the midfielder, but Brennan dribbled around him. Taifi caught up, forcing him to take a shot, and it was wide. It was a meaningful miss, keeping the OCB deficit at one.

In the 73rd minute, Tablante ended up with the ball on the left and sent a dangerous cross through the box. Multiple players in purple were nearby, but nobody could reach it.

The Young Lions finally found their equalizer in the 75th minute when a terrible clearance by Garces went to Rivera. It bounced off the second-half substitute to Mohammed, who sent Rivera forward. Reaching it before it went out of play, Rivera played it across for Acuna in front of goal. The forward used a nice touch to maintain possession and elude the defender, putting it past Garces to make it 2-2.

A minute later, another terrible pass by Garces gave OCB the lead. Again, it went to Rivera, but this time he went for goal himself. The attacker sent a long shot over Garces, who was well off his line, and in to give the Young Lions a shocking 3-2 lead.

“The goalkeeper obviously made a mistake and then I saw he was out of his box,” Rivera said about his goal. “And I just looked up, shot it, put it in the back of the net.”

It was the midfielder’s first goal of the season.

OCB nearly scored a fourth off of another bad giveaway by Atlanta in the 80th minute. The bad pass ended up with Acuna, who quickly took a shot at goal. This time Garces made a great diving save, tipping it wide of the post.

Right after that attempt, Perelman made his final three changes of the game. Franco Perez, Tahir Reid-Brown, and Favian Loyola came on for Tablante, Juninho, and Mohammed.

In the 87th minute, Solis used a cut and spin to beat a pair of defenders, keeping possession in the Atlanta box. He found Rivera at the top of the 18, and the first-team attacker took a shot, looking for a second-half brace. However, this time his attempt was just wide.

Brennan sent a dangerous cross into the OCB box in the 90th minute that was tipped by Stajduhar. Firmino was making a back-post run, but Rivera headed it away before Firmino could reach it.

The fourth official showed four minutes of second-half injury time, and the visitors nearly found another equalizer in the first. The initial ball into the box was punched away by Stajduhar, but went to Tiente. The substitute attempted a long shot that went over the OCB goalkeeper and off the crossbar before leaving play.

The Young Lions did well to keep possession of the ball in the corner during the final two minutes and kept winning free kicks in the Atlanta end. The opposition was unable to create any last-minute chances and OCB came away with the win.

As expected with a man advantage, Atlanta had much more possession in the second half and ended up with more in the game (53.6%-46.4%). But the visitors couldn’t turn that possession into chances as OCB had more shots (17-6), shots on target (9-3), corner kicks (6-3), and crosses (17-13). If not for some bad refereeing at the end of the first half, the Young Lions likely would’ve won by multiple goals.

“Crazy match,” Perelman said about the game. “I think we did the first half almost perfect. We controlled the whole game. We created a whole lot of situations, we scored. When we started the second half, we never lost order. We always kept organized with a good mentality, even when we received the goal. I mean, it was a great second half from our players, playing with heart and a lot of stamina. And then the subs who came in, they did really well. And the boys turned around the game and they deserve it. They deserve it because they worked really hard.”

This was OCB’s fourth comeback win of the season and its ninth victory of the year, equaling the club’s win total from 2016. The Young Lions are now only one win away from equaling the team record for wins in a season, set in 2017.

The three points moved OCB into fourth place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, tied with New York Red Bulls II. The Young Lions remain second in the Central Division, four points behind Columbus Crew 2. But most importantly, they’re four points ahead of NYCFC II for the final playoff spot with 10 games remaining in the season.

The Young Lions will look to build on this win when they welcome Chicago Fire FC II to Osceola County Stadium next Sunday night.

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Orlando City B

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

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

Published

1 week ago

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February 13, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

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

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

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

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

What It Means for OCB

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

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

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Orlando City B

Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract

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

Published

3 weeks ago

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January 30, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What It Means for Orlando City

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

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

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Season

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

Published

4 weeks ago

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January 27, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Orlando City B’s 2025 Schedule

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