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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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3 years ago

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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.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II: Final Score 1-0 as Young Lions Fall On Late Goal

A last-minute goal helped by two Young Lions taking each other out of the play led to OCB’s loss to New England Revolution II in Rhode Island.

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2 days ago

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May 17, 2026

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Image of Luca Maxim playing the ball for OCB against New England Revolution II.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (3-3-4, 16 points) fell 1-0 today to New England Revolution II (5-2-3, 20 points) at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, RI. Both teams struggled to hit the target throughout the game, allowing Judah Siqueira to score the game winner in the dying moments.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made two changes from the team that won 2-0 over Atlanta United 2 on May 10. Titus Sandy, Jr., Landon Okonski, Jacob Ramirez, and Matthew Belgodere entered the lineup, replacing Colin Guske, Tahir Reid-Brown, Gustavo Caraballo, and Harvey Sarajian.

Goalkeeper Luca Maxim started behind a back line of Bernardo Rhein, Sandy, Okonski, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Ramirez and Dylan Judelson were in the defensive midfield behind Belgodere, Ignacio Gomez, and Issah Haruna with Pedro Leao up top.

This was a game of missed chances for both teams. They only put a combined four shots on target, but it was worse for OCB. Gomez sent a weak shot to New England goalkeeper Donovan Parisian less than a minute into the game and the Young Lions didn’t have another shot on target for the remainder of the day. It looked like the game would go to penalties before a bad turnover near midfield gave Siqueira a chance to claim all three points for the hosts.

The Young Lions kicked off, sending the ball long and out of play. Their high press caused a turnover and the first chance inside the first minute. It started when Okonski sent the ball forward for Haruna, who laid it off for Gomez at the top of the New England box. The young attacker’s second touch was a shot that went straight to Parisian.

A turnover near midfield in the 17th minute gave the hosts their first chance of the game. Damario McIntosh carried the ball near the top of the OCB box before playing it forward for Malcolm Fry. With Rhein closing down on him, Fry fired for the near post where Maxim made the stop.

As the Young Lions looked to play the ball out of the back, they nearly gave away a goal when Ramirez played a weak pass back for Maxim. Javaun Mussenden raced Maxim to the free ball with the OCB goalkeeper getting there just in time to clear it.

In the 27th minute, OCB attempted a quick counterattack off a New England corner kick, which ended when a long ball forward by Haruna was too far ahead of Belgodere and went out of play. Revs II tried to play the ball out of the back, but Jake Shannon lost possession to Haruna in his own third. The attacker shot from just outside the box, with the low attempt rolling wide.

Revs II created an attack that resulted in a shot in the 38th minute when Fry found Shuma Sasaki at the top of the OCB box. The forward dribbled inside before shooting, but Amoo-Mensah blocked the attempt. New England’s appeal for a handball fell on deaf ears as referee Amin Hadzic said it hit his chest.

In the 42nd minute, Fry sent McIntosh into the OCB box on an overlap. The midfielder played a low cross that Rhein blocked out for a corner kick. Shannon headed down the ensuing set piece by Sasaki with Amoo-Mensah getting in the way. The ball fell for Cristiano Oliveira near the end line and the midfielder laid it back for Myles Morgan, but Ramirez blocked his shot, allowing OCB to clear it.

On the other end, Ramirez sent Belgodere down the left and into the Revs II box. Belgodere took on Gabriel Dahlin one-on-one, cutting inside to find space for a shot. However, his touch was a little too strong and Amoo-Mensah took possession. The right back fired from close range, but Shannon was there for the block.

That was the last first-half chance for either team as the game went into the break scoreless. It was an even first half with both teams taking four shots and putting one on target. The Young Lions had more crosses (4-0) and Revs II had the only two corner kicks. While OCB had nearly twice as many passes (341-188) as the opposition and better passing percentage (92.4%-86.2%), they were mostly played short and near midfield with neither team really threatening.

The hosts were on the front foot to start the second half. After taking 17 minutes to get their first shot of the game, they created one just two minutes into the second period of play. Oliveira received a pass entering the OCB third before playing it forward for Morgan. The attacker took a shot with space at the top of the box, sending his attempt well over the target.

Fry made a run to the end line in the 47th minute, playing a ball across that Okonski blocked out of play for a corner kick. Allan Oyirwoth flicked on the set piece delivery, which landed at Oliveira’s feet. The midfielder turned to shoot, but Okonski was there to block it.

OCB earned its first second-half chance in the 50th minute when Oyirwoth fouled Amoo-Mensah. The Young Lions took the set piece, with the ball eventually ending up with Haruna 25 yards away from the goal. The attacker took a shot from distance that just missed wide, though Parisian appeared to have it covered.

The Young Lions created a chance in the 57th minute as they worked the ball through the midfield. Haruna received a pass at the top of the box and laid it off for Gomez behind him. The attacking midfielder took a shot that was never going anywhere near the target, sailing well wide. However, it was the team’s best buildup in the early stages of the second half.

The attempt seemed to briefly unlock OCB’s attack. In the 59th minute, Oyirwoth’s heavy touch allowed Judelson to take possession. The defensive midfielder played it forward for Leao, who quickly sent the ball to his left for Belgodere. After dribbling inside, the midfielder unleashed a shot that went just over the crossbar.

New England tried to play out of the back, but was unsuccessful as Rhein intercepted McIntosh’s pass. The left back was initially looking to pass, but had so much space that he continued to carry it forward. Rhein ended up getting all the way into the box and let go a shot that bounced off the far post, the closest either team came to scoring before the 90th minute.

Wilding made his first change of the game in the 67th minute, replacing Ramirez with Caleb Trombino.

Jayden Da intercepted a poor pass by Amoo-Mensah in the 69th minute and found Carlos Zambrano near the top of the box, who played it inside for Morgan. The midfielder turned to shoot with a defender on his hip, sending the attempt wide of the target.

Wilding made his second and third changes in the 72nd minute, replacing Sandy and Leao with Clovis Archange and Logan Tsopanoglou.

OCB won the ball in its own box off a New England throw-in in the 74th minute, but Trombino lost it right back to Da. Zambrano took possession and shot from the top of the box, forcing Maxim into a rare save. The rebound fell to Morgan, whose shot from the same spot went wide of the target.

A New England clearance in the 76th minute off a Rhein cross fell to Haruna, whose shot went right to Trombino. A heavy touch by the substitute resulted in a race between Trombino and Parisian that the Revs II goalkeeper got to first.

Wilding made his final two changes in the 83rd minute, replacing Haruna and Amoo-Mensah with Jaylen Yearwood and Justin Hylton.

OCB appeared to have a chance in the 88th minute when Rhein blocked a McIntosh pass and went the other way. The left back played it forward for Hylton, who found Gomez at the top of the New England box. But the young attacker lost control of the ball before he could get a shot off.

As the game entered stoppage time, the hosts found the winning goal. Yearwood tried to lay the ball off for Okonski, but it was too soft and Siqueira took possession. Chasing the opponent, Yearwood and Okonski ran into each other, taking each other out of the play and igniting the New England counter.

Siqueira made a long run into the OCB box. The teenager did well to shoot before Judelson could reach him, putting it past Maxim to give Revs II the late 1-0 lead.

The Young Lions desperately pushed forward, looking to find an equalizer. Belgodere won a corner kick in the third minute of stoppage time and Maxim came forward. Revs II cleared and it looked like the hosts would have a free shot on an empty goal, but Hazdic said the corner kick went out of play and awarded a goal kick instead.

OCB had a late minute of possession around the New England area but turned down numerous opportunities to send in a cross. Eventually, the Young Lions lost possession without even making a cross attempt.

At full time, Revs II had tallied more shots (12-10), shots on target (3-1), and corner kicks (5-4). The Young Lions attempted more crosses (5-2) and passed more accurately (89.7%-85.2%), but it wasn’t enough as they dropped all three points.

The loss ends a four-game points streak that dates back to the team’s 3-1 loss to Chattanooga FC on April 11. The result sees OCB sit in seventh in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, two points out of fifth and three points out of fourth.

The Young Lions will look to bounce back on May 24 when they return home to face Inter Miami II at Osceola County Stadium.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Atlanta United 2: Final Score 2-0 as Young Lions Claim Three Road Points

OCB extends its point streak to four games with a road win over Southeast rival Atlanta United 2.

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1 week ago

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May 10, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (3-2-4, 16 points) took all three points on the road tonight, defeating Southeast rival Atlanta United 2 (5-3-1, 16 points) 2-0 in Athens, GA. Gustavo Caraballo and Issah Haruna were the goal scorers as the Young Lions continue to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made four changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Crown Legacy on May 3. Luca Maxim, Colin Guske, Tahir Reid-Brown, and Jayden Yearwood started in place of Tristan Himes, Landon Okonski, Titus Sandy, Jr., and Matthew Belgodere.

The back line in front of Maxim in goal was Bernardo Rhein, Reid-Brown, Guske, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Ignacio Gomez and Dylan Judelson were the defensive midfielders behind Harvey Sarajian, Haruna, and Caraballo with Pedro Leao up top.

The Young Lions were the better team in the first 45 minutes, taking a 1-0 lead into the break. However, they desperately clung to the one-goal advantage as Atlanta came storming out of the halftime break. Left back Daniel Chica played a significant role in this game and not in a good way. He conceded the penalty that resulted in the first goal and was sent off with a second yellow card in the 70th minute. That gave OCB all it needed to see out the game, with a Haruna goal in the 75th minute effectively sealing the three points.

The Young Lions had the first attack in the third minute when a steal at the top of the OCB box resulted in a counterattack. Caraballo found Haruna near midfield and the 22-year-old midfielder cut to lose his defender before playing Sarajian forward on the left. After a couple of touches, Sarajian put his shot on target, but Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert did well to tip it wide.

The Young Lions nearly had a second chance less than a minute later when a good ball into the box nearly connected with Guske. However, it was cleared and Atlanta was able to avoid any further trouble.

OCB got behind the Atlanta back line again in the eighth minute when Rhein played an excellent ball for Sarajian making a run from the sideline. The attacker got behind Chica, who attempted a desperate slide tackle. Sarajian went down and referee Nicholas Strednak pointed to the spot.

Caraballo stepped up to take the penalty and, as Hibbert dove to his right, he sent a panenka down the middle to give the Young Lions the early 1-0 lead.

Atlanta got its first good look in the 12th minute when center back Mohamed Cisset dribbled over midfield before lifting the ball over Guske’s head and into the OCB box. It was a misplay by Guske, allowing Arif Kovac to get in on goal. The forward opened up and attempted to curl the ball around Maxim, but the young goalkeeper did well to get down and make the save.

As the Young Lions looked to play the ball out of the back in the 27th minute, Amoo-Mensah lost possession to Cisset near the top of the OCB box. The center back dribbled to the edge of the six-yard box before laying it off for Cameron Dunbar. The midfielder should’ve at least put a shot on target but sent it wide of the far post.

Another defensive mistake by OCB in the 32nd minute gave Atlanta another opportunity. Matthew Senanou sent a ball over the top for Ignacio Suarez that Rhein attempted to head away. However, it skipped off the left back’s head, allowing Suarez to enter the box. The attacker’s second touch was a shot that Maxim tipped off target.

The ensuing corner kick found Kovac’s head just beyond the back post, but the header was right to Maxim, allowing OCB to clear.

OCB was looking to create space for a shot in the 36th minute, but a poor pass allowed Atlanta to break the other way. Enzo Dovlo made a run into the OCB half before laying the ball off and receiving it right back. Dovlo chipped the ball to the top of the box, where Adyn Torres brought it down and fired. Fortunately, Amoo-Mensah got back into position and blocked the attempt out of play.

The ensuing set piece was headed out, but Atlanta retained possession. This time Dunbar sent a cross into the box with Dovlo making a near-post run. However, Maxim came off his line to punch the ball away before anyone in black could get a foot to it.

The Young Lions thought they had doubled their lead in the 38th minute when the high press forced Chica into a turnover. Leao and Gomez quickly played the ball to Sarajian, who sent Haruna behind the Atlanta back line. The 2026 MLS SuperDraft pick slipped the ball past Hibbert, but the flag went up for offside.

OCB’s high press created another chance in the second minute of stoppage time when Sarajian took the ball off Chica. The attacker was behind the back line, firing from the top of the box. His shot beat the goalkeeper, however, it hit the right post, keeping the lead at 1-0.

Down a goal, it was unsurprising that the hosts were the more attacking team out of the break. They created their first second-half chance in the 52nd minute when Dominik Chong-Qui found Dovlo on the right side of the box. The attacker beat Rhein one-on-one before firing wide of the near post.

Two minutes later, Atlanta created two more chances. On the first, Suarez sent the ball to Dovlo on the right. The midfielder found Kovac at the top of the box, but Amoo-Mensah got in front to block his shot. Torres took possession and played it out left for Chong-Qui, who sent a dangerous low pass into the box. But none of his teammates were close to the pass, allowing Reid-Brown to clear it.

Caraballo collected the ball in his own third, but soon gave it to Chong-Qui. The defender played the ball to Dunbar in the box and the midfielder spun to shoot. The attempt went wide of the near post, though Maxim was in good position to make the stop if it had been on target.

Atlanta nearly had another chance in the 61st minute when Caraballo lost possession again, this time just inside his own half. Chong-Qui played a nice ball behind the back line for Kovac, who looked to be in on goal. But Maxim came well off his line to beat the attacker to the ball.

Maxim’s clearance went out for an Atlanta throw-in, but Cisset immediately lost it to Haruna. OCB broke the other way with Gomez carrying the ball over the midfield stripe. He found Sarajian to his left and the attacker fired from just outside the box. However, Hibbert dove to his right and tipped the ball wide.

Former OCB player Moises Tablante had come on in the 60th minute and took his first shot six minutes later, when he received Dovlo’s pass near the top of the box. The attacker tried to beat Maxim to his near post from distance but sent the attempt wide.

Things went from bad to worse for Atlanta in the 69th minute when Adrian Gill received a pass from Dovlo and Gomez immediately tapped it off his foot. Sarajian started the counterattack before Chica slid in with a hard challenge. The defender had already been cautioned in the eighth minute and Strednak immediately displayed a second yellow, reducing the hosts to 10 men.

Liam Butts entered the game in the 71st minute and he didn’t take long to make his presence known. He received a pass from Dunbar in the 74th minute and turned to shoot, but Guske was there to block it out of play for a corner kick.

After Tablante’s first set piece was knocked out of play, his second found Butts’ head beyond the far post. However, Maxim was there to make the stop to maintain the OCB lead.

Despite being a man down, Atlanta appeared to be on the front foot. But the Young Lions quickly took the momentum back. Playing the ball out of back after Maxim’s save, Rhein played it to Sarajian near midfield, and the midfielder found Haruna making a run behind the Atlanta back line. Hibbert came off his line and Cisset desperately tried to get back. However, Haruna took his chance well, slipping the ball under Hibbert and in to double the advantage.

Before the game could restart, Wilding made his first three changes of the game. Clovis Archange, Matthew Belgodere, and Titus Sandy, Jr. had been standing at midfield for several minutes before finally replacing Reid-Brown, Sarajian, and Guske.

Tablante tripped Gomez in the 79th minute in the Atlanta third, allowing the hosts to make a change. Andrew Jardines came on for Dunbar. Caraballo went for goal on the free kick, sending his attempt over the crossbar. Wilding used the stoppage to make his fourth change, replacing Amoo-Mensah with Yearwood.

Jardines sent a low ball forward down the left in the 86th minute for Tablante and Caraballo quickly fouled him. During the stoppage, Wilding made his final change, replacing Haruna with 16-year-old academy product Jacob Ramirez.

Gill’s ensuing free kick into the box was loose, allowing Tablante to get a shot off. It went behind Maxim but inches too high, bouncing off the crossbar. Patrick Weah took possession before Rhein won it back for OCB, ending the attack.

OCB had a good chance for a third goal in the 89th minute when Rhein sent Belgodere down the left. The substitute beat Amir Henry one-on-one before sending a dangerous cross to the penalty spot from the end line. Ramirez was making a run and his first touch was a shot on target. Hibbert was too far away to make an impact, but Cisset got in front, blocking the attempt and surely a third goal for the Young Lions.

The fourth official showed three minutes of second-half stoppage time and OCB did well to keep possession to see out the game. The only attempt into the final third in the dying minutes for Atlanta was a long ball by Senanou for Henry that went harmlessly out for a goal kick.

At full time, Atlanta had the advantage in shots (13-7), but OCB put more on target (4-3). Atlanta also had more crosses (6-0) and better passing accuracy (81.6%-80.9%), while both teams won four corner kicks.

The win extends OCB’s point streak to four games and breaks a run of three consecutive 2-2 draws. More importantly, it moves the Young Lions into fifth in the MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, tied on points with Atlanta for fourth. They’re only one point behind Columbus Crew 2 for third, having played one fewer game.

OCB will wrap up its two-game road trip next Sunday afternoon when they take on New England Revolution II in Smithfield, RI.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Crown Legacy FC: Final Score 2-2 (4-5) as OCB Erases Late Two-Goal Deficit

OCB came back from a 2-0 deficit against Crown Legacy FC to draw for the third consecutive match, but the visitors claimed the shootout point.

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2 weeks ago

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May 3, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (2-2-4, 13 points) came back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Crown Legacy FC (6-0-3, 23 points) tonight at Osceola County Stadium. Hugo Mbongue and a Landon Okonski own goal gave the visitors a 2-0 lead before Issah Haruna and Harvey Sarajian converted in the final 10 minutes to secure a point. The visitors then won the penalty shootout 5-4 to take the extra point.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made three changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Chicago Fire FC II on April 26. Bernardo Rhein, Matthew Belgodere, and Sarajian entered the lineup for Titus Sandy, Jr., Haruna, and Yutaro Tsukada.

Tristan Himes started in goal behind a back line of Rhein, Jaylen Yearwood, Okonski, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Dylan Judelson and Gustavo Caraballo were the defensive midfielders behind Matthew Belgodere, Ignacio Gomez, and Harvey Sarajian with Pedro Leao up top.

This was a game of missed chances for OCB. The Young Lions took 17 shots in the 90 minutes, outshooting the opposition by eight. However, they only put four of those attempts on target. Adding to the frustration were defensive errors, allowing Mbongue to score the first goal and Okonski putting the ball into his own net for the second. However, the Cardiac Cats struck again, erasing a 2-0 deficit for the third time this season to claim something from the game.

The visitors nearly took the lead in the third minute when Baye Coulibaly played an excellent ball on the ground between Yearwood and Rhein, where Mbongue was making a run. He was in on goal, but Himes came off his line strong. Mbongue tried to play the ball past the OCB goalkeeper, but Himes got down to block it wide.

The Young Lions had a golden opportunity of their own in the eighth minute when Leao sent Sarajian down the right. The attacker was behind the back line as he dribbled into the box. Jake Mecham came out to cut down the angle, so Sarajian played the ball back to Leao at the penalty spot. But the forward missed the target.

Mecham went down injured at the top of his box in the 10th minute. After being examined by the medical staff, the Crown Legacy goalkeeper had to be replaced by backup Lazar Kalicanin.

It was the third time this season an OCB opposing goalkeeper had to leave the game. The situation occurred twice on March 22 against Inter Miami II at Inter&Co Stadium, resulting in a defender going into goal.

The visitors broke through for the first goal in the 18th minute when Nimfasha Berchimas found Andrej Subotic near the top of the OCB box. The midfielder immediately played the ball to Mbongue, splitting Judelson and Okonski, who stepped up and left space behind him. This time, Mbongue slipped the ball past Himes and in to give Crown Legacy the 1-0 lead.

The visitors won a corner kick in the 22nd minute when Yearwood headed Ashton Kamdem’s ball into the box over the end line. The ensuing set piece was headed wide to Subotic, who sent his header right to Himes.

Crown Legacy nearly made it 2-0 in the 27th minute when Mbongue found Subotic just inside the 18. The attacker looked like he would pass it outside, but cut inside to create space from Okonski. With a wide-open opportunity, Subotic fired on goal, sending his shot off the post.

Seconds later, Kamdem pulled back Caraballo, earning the game’s first yellow card. Caraballo’s ensuing set piece delivery into the Crown Legacy box was headed out by Jamie Smith for a corner kick.

Caraballo jogged over to take another set piece, sending it toward the top of the six-yard box. Gomez was making a run from the far side and volleyed the outswinging cross but put his attempt over the crossbar.

OCB players felt they should’ve had a penalty in the 33rd minute when Caraballo sent Sarajian into the Crown Legacy box. The attacker raced Kalicanin to the ball and referee Stefan Perri felt Kalicanin got a piece of the ball before contacting Sarajian, awarding OCB a corner kick instead.

The Young Lions weren’t able to create anything from the set piece and a Caraballo foul eventually ended the attack.

OCB nearly got a fortunate bounce in the 41st minute when a short clearance gave Judelson a shot from outside the box. Coulibaly blocked Judelson’s attempt, which deflected straight to Sarajian. After settling the ball, Sarajian shot. The ball deflected off Coulibaly and Leao, forcing Kalicanin to tip it wide.

The Young Lions were given a great opportunity in the first minute of stoppage time when Crown Legacy tried to play it out from the back. After receiving a short pass from Kalicanin, Jack Neeley played a terrible pass that Caraballo intercepted. The attacker had Leao and Sarajian making runs, opting to play it to the open Sarajian on the left side. Sarajian passed the ball behind Kalicanin, aiming for the far post, but he sent it wide.

It was a pretty even first half, with OCB creating more shots (7-4) but Crown Legacy put more on target (3-1). The Young Lions also finished with more crosses (5-4) and better passing accuracy (88.9%-86.8%), while both teams won three corner kicks.

Leao tried to score the goal of the week in the 48th minute, when Sarajian collected the ball and played it forward. The striker saw Kalicanin off his line and lifted the ball towards goal from his own half. He sent the attempt over Kalicanin’s head but well wide of the target.

Rhein and Gomez combined to send Leao behind the Crown Legacy back line in the 50th minute. The forward sent the ball toward the penalty spot for Sarajian, but Coulibaly got in front, deflecting it out for a corner kick. Rhein received the short corner and laid it off for Amoo-Mensah, whose shot was deflected out for another corner kick. This one was volleyed by Sarajian off the crossbar. The Young Lions thought it hit a hand, but the referee decided it didn’t.

Emmanuel Uchegbu dribbled into the OCB box from the right in the 55th minute before Yearwood knocked it out of play for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was sent to the far post where Subotic was making a run, but his volley was into the outside of the net. Uchegbu had another attempt in the 58th minute when he cut inside and tried to curl the ball inside the far post. However, his attempt sailed high and wide of the target.

In the 59th minute, Caraballo played Amoo-Mensah toward the corner on the right and the right back’s cross was blocked out of play for another corner kick. Caraballo sent his set piece to the back post and found Sarajian’s head, but the attacker’s attempt was just over the crossbar.

On the other end, Crown Legacy doubled its advantage in the 61st minute. Adrian Mendoza received a pass from Uchegbu as he reached the top of the OCB box. The midfielder dribbled to the end line before sending a low cross into the six. He was looking for Mbongue, but Himes got a hand to it first. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off Okonski and in for an own goal, extending Crown Legacy’s lead to 2-0.

Berhimas was sent down the left and over the top in the 67th minute before Amoo-Mensah took him down — a foul that earned the left back a yellow card. Wilding used the stoppage to make his first change of the game, replacing Gomez with Haruna.

Just seconds after entering the game, Haruna had a chance at goal from the top of the box. Judelson played a low pass to Leao in the box and the striker laid it off for Haruna. It looked like the substitute would shoot with his first touch, but he cut inside to lose his defender first. He sent the left-footed attempt past a diving Kalicanin but just wide of the far post.

Wilding made a second change in the 73rd minute, replacing Leao with Dominik Baczewski.

In the 80th minute, Rhein played the ball back for Caraballo well outside the box. The midfielder took a shot that deflected off Erik Pena’s head and out for a corner kick.

Caraballo sent his set piece delivery beyond everyone and Rhein collected it on the other side. Again, he laid the ball off — this time for Haruna. The second-half substitute sent a rocket past Kalicanin and into the top left corner to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 80th minute.

Shortly after the game restarted, Wilding made three more changes. Nicolas Lasheras, Caleb Trombino, and Toryn Penders came on for Okonski, Judelson, and Belgodere.

In the 86th minute, Smith went down with a head injury, having to be replaced by Wyatt Holt. The concussion substitution gave the Young Lions a sixth change, which Wilding used in the 88th minute. Amoo-Mensah left the game and was replaced by Clovis Archange.

It looked like Sarajian was in on goal right after the restart when Caraballo made a good run through the midfield and sent Sarajian behind the back line. The midfielder opened up to curl the ball around Kalicanin, but he sent it well wide. The offside flag went up anyway, so it wouldn’t have counted had he converted.

The fourth official showed five minutes of stoppage time and it was just enough for OCB to find an equalizer. In the fourth minute, Baczewski flicked a long ball down the middle on to Archange. The substitute got the ball caught up in his feet, but he was able to get it to Baczewski. Receiving a pass back, Haruna played it to his right for Sarajian making a run into the box.

Sarajian had multiple golden opportunities to score earlier in the game, but he didn’t let this one slip by. The attacker sent the ball past Kalicanin and into the far corner to even the game at 2-2.

The Young Lions had a burst of energy after the equalizing goal. They created a corner in the dying moments before the whistle blew ending the 90 minutes.

At full time, OCB had the advantage in shots (17-9), shots on target (4-3), corner kicks (12-5), and passing accuracy (89.6%-83.7%). While the Young Lions created more chances, the number of shots on target was a significant factor in the result.

In addition to being the third game and second straight in which OCB came back from a 2-0 deficit, it’s the team’s third consecutive 2-2 draw.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, the two teams earned a point and the game went to penalties to see which would get a second.

Caraballo, Mbongue, Rhein, and Pena converted to begin the shootout, making it 2-2 after two rounds. The key moment came in the first attempt of the third round when Kalicanin got a foot on Sarajian’s attempt down the middle, keeping it out. Neeley then converted his attempt to give the visitors the advantage.

Himes needed to make a save to keep his team in the shootout but, while Penders and Trombino both converted, so did Nathan Richmond and Daniel Longo. As a result, Crown Legacy took the extra point by winning the shootout 5-4. It was the first shootout this season the Young Lions haven’t won.

The point sees the Young Lions settle in sixth place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, 10 points behind Crown Legacy, who lead the conference.

OCB will take the field again on May 10 when it will face Atlanta United 2 in Athens, GA.

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