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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New York Red Bulls II: Final Score 2-1 as Defensive Errors Doom the Young Lions

OCB couldn’t overcome its defensive blunders, falling on the road to New York Red Bulls II.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (10-8-2, 33 points) faced off against New York Red Bulls II (10-6-4, 36 points) in New Jersey tonight, falling 2-1. The hosts took a first-half lead through Wikelman Carmona, but a Moises Tablante goal just after halftime made it 1-1. Alex Freeman conceded a penalty in the 77th minute, which was converted by Ibrahim Kasule for the winning goal.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made three changes from the team that won 3-2 over Chicago Fire II last weekend. Two of the changes were in the back, with Franco Perez and Abdi Salim entering the starting lineup in place of Freeman and Zakaria Taifi. Wilfredo Rivera started in the attack, replacing Shak Mohammed. Freeman, Taifi, and Mohammed were all with the team in New Jersey, starting the game on the bench.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero included Imanol Almaguer, Nabi Kibunguchy, Salim, and Perez. Cristian Medina, Tablante, Juninho, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield, while Rivera partnered Jack Lynn up top.

Both teams had stretches where they looked like the better side in this one. OCB was the better team early in each half, but the Red Bulls played their way back into the game, eventually being the more threatening side. In the end, it was poor defending that did OCB in. The first goal came off a bad giveaway by Kibunguchy and the second from a poor challenge by Freeman.

OCB attempted to get off to a quick start, going forward from the kickoff. The ball was played out wide for Tablante, who sent a cross into the box. It bounced through multiple players, eventually ending up with Almaguer, who sent a strong shot towards goal, but it was just wide.

New York had its first chance in the fourth minute when a Kasule pass into the box for Omar Valencia was knocked out of play by Rivera. Kasule took the ensuing corner kick, which was headed away by Lynn. It went to Valencia, who took an ambitious shot from long distance, but he sent it well wide of the goal.

In the 12th minute, Rivera lost the ball near the Red Bulls box and OCB almost paid for the loss of possession. Ronald Donkor sent Carmona down the left and the midfielder sent a cross into the box for Kasule. The attacker found space between the two center backs, but the pass was behind him and Juninho cleared it away.

OCB nearly opened the scoring in the 27th minute when O’Vonte Mullings and Copeland Berkley double-teamed Solis near the end line and the OCB midfielder won a corner kick. Kibunguchy was left unmarked on Rivera’s ensuing set piece, meeting the cross with his head. The center back redirected the ball towards goal, but sent it just wide.

In the 32nd minute, a bad giveaway in the back by OCB resulted in the game’s first goal. Kibunguchy attempted to play the ball up the left sideline, but sent it into the chest of Mullings. The attacker did well to control the ball and sent it across for Carmona. No OCB defenders stepped up to challenge the midfielder about 30 yards from goal, so he took a shot. Otero’s view might have been slightly obstructed by multiple players, and the ball went into the corner to give New York a 1-0 lead.

Both teams had a chance to score in the 38th minute. Donkor first found Mullings in the box. Salim got in front of the Red Bulls’ shot, blocking it to Perez, and the defender sent it forward, where Lynn flicked it on for Solis. Rivera was sprinting down the middle of the field unmarked and Solis played it between two defenders, but could not get it to his teammate.

OCB had another chance to equalize in the 40th minute when Matthew Nocita fouled Lynn near the Red Bulls box. Juninho stepped up to take the set piece, attempting to curl the ball inside the near post. He didn’t miss the target by much, but the shot was wide.

Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Otero was too casual with the ball and almost conceded a second goal. Standing with the ball at his feet, Carmona challenged the goalkeeper. Otero tried to tap the ball past him, but Carmona blocked it to Frank Ssebufu. The striker took a first-touch shot from outside of the box, sending it off the post.

Salim cleared the ball, but New York retained possession. An eventual cross was cleared away by Almaguer and OCB went the other way. Solis nearly lost the ball at midfield, but was able to find Rivera. The attacker created space for a shot, sending it straight into the arms of AJ Marcucci. That was the last action of the first half as OCB went into the break down 1-0.

OCB ended the first half with more possession (57%-43%), but Red Bulls II had more chances, outshooting the Young Lions, 5-4. New York had more corners (2-1) and crosses (10-2), while OCB had better passing accuracy (75%-72.7%). Both teams put one shot on target, with Red Bulls II putting its accurate shot in for the lone first-half goal.

The Young Lions got the second half off to the best possible start. While Juninho thought he’d been fouled and was arguing with the referee, Solis beat Stroud and sent a curling ball with the outside of his right foot for Tablante making a run. Marcucci came way out of his box to clear it, but Tablante got to the ball first, tapping it around the goalkeeper. All Tablante had to do was send an accurate ball on goal, which he did, evening the game at 1-1.

OCB nearly had another chance in the 50th minute when Davi Alexandre’s pass to Stroud was blocked by Juninho. The ball went forward to Lynn, who played it back to Juninho and made a run behind the back line. Juninho sent Lynn through on goal, but he didn’t get the ball off his foot quick enough, and Lynn was ruled offside.

In the 54th minute, Carmona sent Ssebufu down the right. The striker sent a low cross towards the back post, where Donkor was making a run unmarked. It would’ve been a tap-in for Donkor, but Otero jumped off his line to snatch the ball before it could reach him.

A minute later, a poor clearance by Otero gave Mullings possession in the OCB third of the field. His low cross towards the top of the box was left by Kasule for Carmona near the penalty spot. Fortunately, Carmona was unable to get over the ball, sending it well over the target.

OCB had a chance to take its first lead in the 58th minute when Juninho’s long shot was blocked out of play by Berkley for a goal kick. Tablante’s ensuing set piece was flicked on by the heel of Lynn to Perez, who was waiting at the top of the six-yard box. But the defender couldn’t get his foot to it and the Young Lions just missed a second goal.

Perelman made his first change of the game in the 66th minute, as Freeman came into the game for Rivera. Usually the starting right back, Freeman moved into the midfield in front of Perez.

New York retook the lead in the 75th minute when Carmona’s pass to Valencia split a pair of OCB defenders. Freeman was caught in a bad position, but stuck a leg out in an attempt to knock the ball away. Valencia went down and referee Austin Saini immediately pointed to the spot.

It initially looked like Carmona would take the penalty, but Kasule took it instead. Otero dove to his left, but Kasule put the ball right down the middle and in to give Red Bulls II a 2-1 lead.

Needing a goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, Perelman made his second change an attacking one, as Mohammed came into the game for Perez. As a result, Freeman dropped back into his natural right back role.

New York nearly had an opportunity at a third goal in the 83rd minute when Mullings played the ball around Tablante to himself and beat Medina to the end line. He sent a low cross to the near post where Mohammed Sofo was making a run. However, Salim slid in to knock the ball out of play before it could reach Sofo, likely saving a goal.

Perelman made his third and final change in the 87th minute with Favian Loyola coming on for Lynn. It was a frustrating night for the MLS NEXT Pro’s leading goal scorer, as Lynn was unable to create many chances.

The fourth official displayed three minutes of second-half stoppage time, but the teams could only combine for one shot in the dying moments, a Sofo attempt that was well off target. OCB attempted to lift balls into the box, but couldn’t connect and lost the match.

The second half was similar to the first, with OCB ending the game with more possession (54.9%-45.1%) and New York with more shots (9-8). The hosts had more crosses (18-8) and the Young Lions had better passing accuracy (74.8%-72.8%). Both teams had four corner kicks and two shots on target.

OCB and Red Bulls II were tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference heading into this game. The result sees the Young Lions drop to fifth with just eight games remaining in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. Seven teams make the postseason and OCB is currently five points ahead of Huntsville City FC for that final spot in the East.


The Young Lions will have a short week as they continue their road trip Saturday night at DRV PNK Stadium against Inter Miami II.

Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami II: Final Score 3-2 as OCB Falls To In-State Rivals

OCB fell to Inter Miami II for the third time in the last four meetings.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (3-2-1, 11 points) fell 3-2 to Inter Miami II (2-3-1, 7 points) tonight at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Tyler Hall gave Miami the early lead before Tahir Reid-Brown equalized midway through the first half. Mateo Saja gave Miami back the lead just before halftime, and Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida put the game out of reach in the second half. Shak Mohammed converted a penalty in the dying moments, but it wasn’t enough as the Young Lions fell to their in-state rivals.

OCB and Inter Miami II played at IMG Academy for the second consecutive year as part of the Generation Adidas Cup. While it was a neutral site game, Miami was the designated home team.

Several OCB regulars didn’t play in this game because they’re representing the club’s U-18 team in the Generation Adidas Cup. As a result, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made six changes to the team that won 1-0 over New England Revolution II on April 9.  Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Riyon Tori, Hayden Sargis, Juan Quevedo, and Dyson Clapier entered the starting lineup for Javier Otero, Jackson Platts, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, Justin Ellis, and Thalles.

The back line in front of Mercado in goal was Reid-Brown, Abdellaoui, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Sargis and Tori were the defensive midfielders behind Clapier, Quevedo, and Jhon Solis with Mohammed up top.

Neither team was able to create anything in the first 10 minutes. The first chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Mohammed was sent over the top and behind the Miami back line. However, a heavy first touch allowed Miami goalkeeper Ivan Schmid to come off his line and collect the ball.

Three minutes later, it was the opposition that struck first. A Sargis foul in the OCB third gave Miami a set piece. Zeltzer-Zubida took the free kick, sending the ball into the box. Sargis and Bailey Sparks tried to get a touch, but it went through to the back post. Hall beat Williams to the ball, tapping it in to give Miami a 1-0 lead.

Miami nearly doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when a chip over the back line for Saja nearly fell perfectly for the attacker. However, Saja was unable to get his foot on it and Mercado collected the ball.

The Young Lions found their equalizer in the 23rd minute from an unlikely source. Solis made a long run to the end line and sent the ball in front of goal. Unfortunately, Mohammed couldn’t turn it on target. But the ball went directly to Tori. The rookie played it left to Clapier on the far side of the box, and he laid it off for Reid-Brown rather than shooting himself. The left back sent a hard, low shot through traffic and just inside the far post to even the game at 1-1.

A defensive mistake nearly gave the lead right back to Miami in the 26th minute. Williams received a pass back by Reid-Brown and immediately gave it up to Saja. The attacker was in on goal and took a shot, but Mercado did well to make the save with his left hand, pushing it wide. Miami was unable to create anything from the ensuing corner kick and the Young Lions escaped.

In the 30th minute, Taifi sent a dangerous low cross into the box. The ball went through several players before landing at the feet of Clapier. The midfielder attempted a first-touch shot, but he was falling backward and sent the attempt well over the top.

OCB had a good chance to take the lead in the 40th minute when Reid-Brown was sent down the left. The left back caught up to the ball and sent a low cross to Mohammed making a run to the near post. The forward met the ball but sent it wide.

The Young Lions felt they should’ve had a penalty in the 41st minute when Hall and Quevedo raced for a ball over the top. As they entered the box, Hall threw his arm up and into Quevedo. The OCB midfielder went down and Schmid collected the ball. But the referee determined it wasn’t a penalty.

OCB paid for its missed chances in the 44th minute when Miami retook the lead. Sparks made a run down the left and sent a hard, low cross into the box. Saja got his heel to the ball, redirecting it past Mercado and in to give Miami a 2-1 lead.

After 45 minutes, Miami had more shots (5-4), shots on target (3-1), crosses (4-2), and corner kicks (2-0). OCB had better passing accuracy (83.9%-82.3%).

The first chance of the second half came in the 50th minute when Preston Plambeck dribbled across the top of the box before shooting from distance. It looked like the shot might’ve taken a deflection off a defender, but Mercado handled the attempt.

Miami doubled its advantage in the 55th minute with a great goal by Zeltzer-Zubida. The midfielder received a pass on the left and dribbled across the top of the box, passing Taifi and Solis before unleashing a rocket. Mercado dove to his left, but he didn’t really have a chance as the ball rippled the net to give Miami a commanding 3-1 lead.

The Young Lions tried to respond, creating a chance in the 56th minute. The low cross into the box found Quevedo, who tried to guide it inside the far post. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much on the ball, sending it wide.

In the 64th minute, a Solis pass found Taifi and Mohammed, who appeared to run into each other. Fortunately, Mohammed left it for Taifi and the defender took a touch before firing from very long distance. He was trying to catch Schmid off his line but sent the attempt wide.

Solis sent Mohammed down the right in the 66th minute. The forward had to decide between shooting and sending the ball across the box. He chose the latter, but nobody was making a run and the ball went harmlessly through.

Goldberg made his first and only change of the game in the 68th minute. Zinedine Rodriguez came into for Clapier.

The Young Lions nearly found an equalizer in the 85th minute. Taifi’s corner kick was cleared away, but Solis took possession and played Taifi back down the right. The defender sent a cross into the box that found the head of Williams. The center back’s header was traveling just inside the post, but Schmid dove to his left, knocking the ball wide.

Taifi drew a foul 25 yards away from goal as the game reached second-half stoppage time. Solis stood over the ball by himself, taking the set piece. The midfielder went directly for goal, sending a strong shot towards the near post. However, Schmid dove to his left, catching the attempt.

In the third minute of stoppage time, OCB got another chance from a corner kick. The set piece was sent to the back post, where Mohammed was waiting. Unfortunately, the forward wasn’t able to get over the ball, sending it over the crossbar.

In the ninth minute of stoppage time, Taifi beat his defender and dribbled into the box. Cristian Ortiz came in from behind, taking the defender down. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, awarding OCB a penalty.

As OCB’s leading scorer, Mohammed stepped up to the spot to take the kick. The striker sent the Miami goalkeeper the wrong way, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Two minutes later, the Young Lions felt they should’ve had a chance to equalize. Taifi’s cross resulted in contact in the box. Mohammed came flying in with a high foot and was called for the foul. OCB’s team and bench appealed for a penalty on the initial pass, but the referee disagreed.

That was the last chance as the Young Lions fell to Inter Miami II for the third time in their last four meetings. OCB is now winless in five straight against Miami, not having beaten the Herons since a 1-0 win on May 25, 2023.

OCB ended the game with more shots (13-9) and corner kicks (5-2). Miami finished with the advantage in shots on target (6-5), crosses (5-4), and passing accuracy (84.2%-83.6%).

Three points would’ve seen OCB match Chattanooga FC on top of the Eastern Conference, albeit having played one more game. Instead, the Young Lions sit in second, three points off the top. They’re only one point ahead of New York Red Bulls II, having played two more games.


The Young Lions have a 12-day break before they take the field again. It’ll be a crucial game against Red Bulls II on April 27 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II: Final Score 1-0 as Young Lions Stay Unbeaten at Home

OCB took down previously undefeated New England Revolution II to move into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (3-0-1, 11 points) took down New England Revolution II (4-2-1, 8 points) 1-0 tonight at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Shak Mohammed’s 81st-minute goal was the difference as the Young Lions took all three points and remained unbeaten at home in 2025 (2-0-1).

The midweek game saw five players return to OCB from the first team after being on the bench in Philadelphia over the weekend. Javier Otero, Thomas Williams, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Mohammed entered the lineup for Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Hayden Sargis, Dylan Judelson, and Dyson Clapier.

The back line in front of Otero in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Jackson Platts, Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Guske and Jhon Solis were the defensive midfielders behind Mohammed, Justin Ellis, and Caraballo with Thalles up top.

New England was the better team for much of the game, creating more chances than the hosts. However, few of those opportunities were on frame. OCB only had one or two threatening chances in the first 80 minutes, mostly coming right at the end of the first half. But Mohammed came through when his team needed him, striking with less than 10 minutes remaining.

The first shot of the game came in the fifth minute when Marcos Dias carried the ball near the top of the OCB box and fired. But Williams stepped up and blocked the attempt with his back.

A minute later, Gevork Diarbian received a long ball on the left and took Taifi one-on-one. The attacker made a move before trying to curl the ball around the defender and Otero, but sent the shot wide of the far post.

In the eighth minute, OCB was slow to react to a header, allowing Alex Monis to take possession. He carried the ball to the end line before sending the ball toward the penalty spot. Liam Butts and Diarbian tried to get a touch on it with their backs to goal. Instead, it went to Eric Klein, whose shot was right at Otero.

OCB had its first chance in the 11th minute when Solis intercepted a pass from Hesron Barry. The midfielder sprinted down field, finding Caraballo making a run behind the New England back line. The teenager opened up to shoot with his first touch, sending the shot right into the hands of New England goalkeeper Donovan Parisian.

Revs II had a great chance in the 14th minute when Dias played Diarbian down the left. The midfielder was charging towards the end line and sent a low ball across the box. Monis was making a run into the six and slid in between Williams and Reid-Brown, but he couldn’t get on the end of the ball.

Darbian sent another ball into the box in the 24th minute. It looked like Platts was going to clear it, but the center back didn’t get much on it. The attempted clearance went directly to Dias, whose first touch was an awkward shot from his heels. The attacker wasn’t able to get much on it, sending the ball harmlessly wide.

OCB got its second chance in the 27th minute when Caraballo sent a low ball to the top of the box where Mohammed was making a run. The Young Lions’ leading scorer met the pass and tried to put his first touch on goal. However, the defender got a touch to the ball, making the block.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg was forced to make an early change in the 30th minute when Thalles went down away from the play. The forward received treatment for a few minutes before being replaced by Clapier.

Solis drew a foul in the 32nd minute in the New England third, creating a rare first-half chance for the Young Lions. He quickly played the set piece short to Mohammed who spotted Caraballo making a run into the box. New England was unprepared as Caraballo touched the ball by a sliding Barry. However, his shot was over the crossbar.

Diarbian continued to cause problems for OCB on the left, finding Dias at the top of the box in the 42nd minute. The attacker took a shot, but Guske did well to get in front of the attempt.

After defending for much of the first half, OCB finally created a few chances in the dying minutes.

A give-and-go between Taifi and Solis in the 44th minute saw the former send a cross in that was headed out for a corner kick .Caraballo took the corner kick, sending it towards the back post where Platts was waiting. He had space to put the ball on target, but failed to get a clean touch on the ball and it went out of play.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Clapier’s shot was deflected out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was towards Platts in the box. A defender got to it first, but the ball popped up instead of out. Platts got a foot to the ball but couldn’t get any power behind it, sending it directly to Parisian.

A minute later, Caraballo had a shot blocked out for a corner kick. The Young Lions couldn’t create anything from this set piece and the half ended scoreless.

At halftime, New England had more shots (9-5), but OCB had the edge in crosses (4-3), corner kicks (3-1), and passing accuracy (88%-86.4%). Meanwhile, both teams put one chance on target.

“We talked in halftime that the game was very even,” Goldberg said about his halftime speech. “So, we said it’s about wanting it just a little bit more than them. And that’s what we tried to do.”

The second half got off to a much slower start. Both teams tried to create attacks but were unable to get anything from them.

Goldberg made his second change in the 55th minute. Riyon Tori came into the game for Ellis.

Shortly after the substitution, Butts created a chance with little space. The attacker looked to be covered, but he found enough space for a shot. It forced Otero to make a block with one hand, sending the ball out of play.

Butts had another chance in the 59th minute when Dias carried the ball to the end line. Dias played it back for Butts near the top of the six-yard box, and Butts’ first touch was a shot, but it went wide of the near post.

Solis gave the ball away to Olger Escobar in the 71st minute, creating another chance for New England. Damorney Hutchinson took possession on the right, trying to beat Otero to his near post. But his shot was blocked into the outside of the net.

Guske found Taifi on the right side of the box in the 74th minute. The defender was able to find enough space for a shot, but couldn’t get over it, sending his shot over the crossbar.

Goldberg made his final change in the 78th minute. It was a defensive change as Sargis came into the game for Caraballo. Taifi moved from right back to right midfield to make room.

OCB didn’t have many quality chances in this game, but the Young Lions took the lead in the 81st minute. Platts received the ball on the right in a seemingly innocuous position. He sent Mohammed between Gabriel Dahlin and Victor Souza. Dahlin’s hand went up, but the assistant referee determined the forward was onside. Mohammed slipped the ball through Parisian — who got a touch on it but couldn’t keep it out — to give OCB the lead.

“I tried the pass before. I had the space to beat the left winger, so it was a big touch. Then Shak obviously made the run,” Platts said about his assist. “First pass, he told me to play it earlier. So, next time I saw him I just played it earlier. And it was a goal.”

It was the first goal conceded by New England in nearly four full games to start the 2025 season.

It looked like the visitors might find an equalizer in the 84th minute when Escobar kept possession under pressure and laid it off for Allan Oyirworth. The midfielder had space for a shot, but Sargis got in the way to block it.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Judah Siqueira lifted the ball into the box for Hutchinson. Platts was against his back and Hutchinson went down. However, there was minimal if any contact. While New England appealed for a penalty, the referee correctly didn’t award one.

New England ended the game with more shots (15-9), shots on target (4-3), and crosses (8-4). OCB had better passing accuracy (87.9%-84.2%) and the all-important goal. Both teams ended up with five corner kicks.

“We knew it was going to be tough. That’s why they were undefeated,” Goldberg said about the game. “That’s why they haven’t received goals. So, we knew it was going to be tough.”

The win moves the Young Lions into a tie for first place with Chattanooga FC atop the Eastern Conference on points. However, the Tennessee-based independent club has a game in hand and the all-important tiebreaker in goal differential.


OCB will take the field again on Tuesday against rival Inter Miami CF II. The game will  be at IMG Academy in Bradenton, but OCB is the designated away team.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B’s Loss to Chattanooga Shows Impact Of Shak Mohammed

Shak Mohammed’s importance to OCB was on display in Saturday night’s loss in Chattanooga.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B faced an independent team Saturday night, putting the Young Lions in a unique position. When they face fellow reserve sides, the games are usually the day after the first team plays. But Saturday night’s game was at the same time, and it showed issues in the OCB attack.

Chattanooga FC is one of two independent teams currently playing in MLS NEXT Pro. As you would expect, the Tennessee-based side plays most of its home games on Saturday nights, when they can draw bigger crowds.  Unfortunately, that means the Young Lions took the field the same night as the senior side, kicking off just 30 minutes prior to the MLS squad’s match in Philadelphia.

A lack of bodies for the first team meant multiple OCB regulars had to join the senior Lions for their trip to Philadelphia. The biggest loss for the game in Chattanooga was undoubtedly Shak Mohammed, who started on the bench for Orlando City.

While Mohammed has yet to claim his place with the first team, he’s made a major impact on the second team. His 11 goals last season led the Young Lions, and he has the team lead in goals this season with two in the first three games, including a goal in each of the two previous contests.

The 21-year-old’s absence was apparent Saturday night in Tennessee. Justin Ellis started in the position Mohammed usuallly occupies with Thalles starting up top. Meanwhile, Zakaria Taifi moved from his usual defensive position into the attacking midfield.

All three players had chances early in the game. While Ellis played the distributor, Thalles and Taifi had clear chances in the first 45 minutes. However, neither player was able to put the ball past Chattanooga goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic, who had seven saves on the night.

The missed opportunities showed an issue that OCB might face in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. The better Mohammed plays, the more likely he is to be with the first team. This usually won’t be a problem, as the two teams rarely play on the same days. But you can’t depend on that for the team’s success this season.

If OCB wants to improve on the 2024 campaign and win a postseason game for the first time in team history, the Young Lions will need others in the attack to step up. Otherwise, it could be frustrating nights when Mohammed is unavailable.

The lack of offensive efficiency Saturday night also showed how good Mohammed has been with the second team. Obviously, the third-division league is a much lower quality than the first-division MLS, but it leads to a question about Mohammed’s future in Orlando.

The forward was a first-round selection out of Duke in 2023. The Lions gave up Ruan in a trade with D.C. United to move up in the MLS SuperDraft, taking Mohammed with the second overall pick. Now in his third professional season, he hasn’t made the impression you’d expect from someone taken so high.

To be fair, we were seeing this with Jack Lynn as well. The 2022 first-round MLS SuperDraft pick was tearing it up in MLS NEXT Pro without seeing much time with the first team. However, he was clearly taking positive steps and was beginning to play a bigger role before retiring this past off-season.

Lynn’s departure left a spot Mohammed could fill for both teams, and he’s done a good job with OCB. His 11 goals showed a significant increase from his six goals for the Young Lions in 2023, despite only playing in two more games. Now, he just needs to show improvement with the first team.

Saturday night’s disappointing offensive performance by OCB showed Mohammed’s impact in the attack. While the Young Lions are a dangerous team with the Ghanaian in the lineup, nobody stepped up to fill his production in Chattanooga, resulting in the team’s first loss of the season. It showed the impact the attacker has had on the team this year and the improvements of his game.

Watching Moahmmed the remainder of the season will be interesting. Will he finally make the jump to appearing regularly with the first team? Will Ellis or Thalles fill Moahmmed’s production when he’s away? We should find out these answers in the near future.

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