Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami II: Final Score 1-1 as OCB Draws with 10-Man Herons

OCB drew against 10-man Inter Miami on the road, with Miami taking the extra point in penalties.

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2023

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (10-8-3, 34 points) gained a point tonight with a 1-1 draw against Inter Miami II (4-13-3, 16 points) in Fort Lauderdale. Felipe Valencia gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime, but a Nabi Kibunguchy header in the second half evened the score. The Young Lions dominated the second period, but couldn’t find a winner. Inter Miami II won the ensuing penalty shootout, taking the extra point.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that lost 2-1 to New York Red Bulls II on Monday night. Shak Mohammed and Zakaria Taifi re-entered the lineup in place of Cristian Medina and Juninho, neither of whom were on the team sheet this weekend.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero remained the same, with Imanol Almaguer, Abdi Salim, Kibunguchy, and Franco Perez. Moises Tablante, Wilfredo Rivera, Taifi, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield, with Mohammed joining Jack Lynn up top.

Tonight's Starters! 🦁#OCB x #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/A5Hnp4qBv6
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) August 5, 2023

The first half of this game was very even with both teams having their chances. A poor defensive play by Perez gave the hosts the lead at halftime, but the game changed in the 58th minute with an idiotic play by Israel Boatwright. OCB controlled the remainder of the game, but moved the ball far too slowly against 10 Miami players and had trouble finding the target, allowing the hosts to escape with a draw.

OCB controlled possession early in the game, but it was Inter Miami II that was creating chances, primarily through Lucas Meek. In the second minute, Meek found Shanyder Borgelin just outside of the box and Lawson Sunderland at the top of the box in the sixth minute. In both situations, the shot was well off target.

The Young Lions got their first chance in the ninth minute through Rivera. The midfielder received the ball from Tablante on the right, took a touch inside to find some space from his defender, and fired from distance. It was a good attempt towards the near post, but went just wide.

OCB had another good opportunity to open the scoring in the 15th minute when Solis played a great ball over the top, where it found the head of Rivera. The first-team player redirected the ball towards goal, but couldn’t get over it, sending it over the crossbar.

In the 20th minute, OCB had another pair of chances. Tablante’s initial shot was blocked, but the Young Lions retained possession. It ended up with Mohammed outside of the box and the forward took his own shot. Unfortunately, this one was well off target, enabling Miami to clear.

Inter Miami II nearly took the lead in the 26th minute after Mohammed committed a hard foul on Lawson Sunderland. After drawing the free kick, the Miami captain stepped up to take the set piece from well outside of the box. He went for the near post and the ball appeared to be heading in, but Otero was able to get his hand to it, knocking it off the post and out of play.

The hosts tried to hit OCB on the counter attack in the 31st minute, attacking Almaguer on the right side. But the midfielder-turned-defender was up to the task. The first attempt was taken by Meek, but his shot was blocked. The rebound went to Borgelin, but Almaguer slid in to block that one as well. The second rebound was controlled by the Young Lions, enabling them to clear.

OCB got its first shot on target in the 35th minute when Mohammed lifted the ball for Tablante on the left side of the box. The midfielder controlled the ball and fired on goal, but Inter Miami II goalkeeper Owen Finnerty got down to block it away.

The hosts immediately went the other way, with Alejandro Flores sending a long ball over the top. Felipe Valencia used his body to shield Perez, putting him on the ground and himself in on goal. The forward calmly placed the ball past Otero and into the far corner to give Miami a 1-0 lead.

Valencia beats the keeper to blast the opener home! 👊@Intermiamicfii 1-0 pic.twitter.com/ZSZd9zpz0F
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 5, 2023

OCB nearly equalized in the 43rd minute when Lynn made a back-post run. Rivera had the ball outside of the box and sent a curling pass towards the back post, hoping Lynn would run onto it. However, Cesar Abadia-Reda got a foot to the pass, deflecting it out for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece eventually ended up with Almaguer well outside of the box. Lynn made another back-post run and Almaguer sent an aerial ball in for him. This time Lynn met the cross, attempting to send the header to the opposite post. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much on it and the ball bounced wide.

OCB ended the first half with more possession (58%-42%), crosses (10-2), and corners (1-0), and better passing accuracy (87.3%-77.1%). Inter Miami II had more shots (7-6) and both teams put one attempt on target. However, the hosts converted on theirs, taking a one-goal lead into the break.

Perelman made one change at halftime, bringing on Favian Loyola for Perez. The attacking change meant that Tablante, who started in the midfield, moved to left back. It was an easy shift because Tablante has been playing left back frequently over the past three years.

OCB got off to an attacking second-half start, searching for an equalizer. Inside the first minute of the half, Tablante sent a cross towards the back post that was headed out by Abadia-Reda. The ensuing corner kick ended up with Tablante and the left back dribbled towards goal. He went down, but referee Alejo Calume didn’t see a foul.

In the 49th minute, Sunderland cleared the ball out of play, giving OCB a corner kick. Rivera’s ensuing set piece found the head of a wide open Mohammed between the penalty spot and six-yard box, but the forward’s header was wide.

The Young Lions had another chance in the 53rd minute from another corner kick. It was played around for Tablante on the opposite side of the field and the left back sent a cross towards the top of the six for Lynn. The striker was well defended and couldn’t get his head on the pass.

OCB caught a break in the 58th minute from a stupid decision by Boatwright. Tablante beat Boatwright by megging him. The defender grabbed Tablante’s shirt, pulling him back and the referee called a foul. He was reaching for his yellow card, but Boatwright kicked the ball into Tablante’s face, turning the yellow into a red.

The ensuing set piece didn’t result in anything, but Taifi had an opportunity from just outside of the box two minutes later. However, his shot was just over the crossbar, enabling Miami to clear.

OCB should’ve scored in the 62nd minute when Tablante lifted a ball towards the back post from inside the box. Finnerty got his hand to the ball, knocking it off the crossbar. It went to Mohammed just beyond the back post and the forward found Solis with space around the top of the six-yard box. Solis quickly fired, but fell to his knees as he sent the shot wide.

In the 67th minute, Inter Miami II made a pair of substitutions, bringing Ricardo Montenegro and Miles Perkovich on for Jack Pymm and Valencia. While Pymm quickly left the field, Valencia took his time. MLS NEXT Pro rules state that if a player takes more than 10 seconds to leave the field, the substitute has to wait a minute before entering. As a result, OCB was playing against nine men.

The Young Lions created a pair of corners, unable to take advantage of the two extra players. However, as Perkovich came on and neared the box, Almaguer sent a cross towards the penalty spot. OCB had a numerical advantage since Perkovich had yet to reach the action and it proved to be helpful. Kibunguchy was left alone, heading the ball into the corner to tie the game at 1-1.

Almaguer 🤝 Kibunguchy

Nabilai equalizes at close range with a powerful header. @OrlandoCityB pic.twitter.com/ZJZaaiHKhT
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 5, 2023

The Young Lions kept possession near the Miami box with the hosts desperately defending. However, they broke out on a counter attack in the 77th minute and the numbers forward almost cost the Young Lions. Perkovich and Sunderland sprinted the other way with only two OCB defenders back. Sunderland played it out to Perkovich and made a run, with Perkovich playing it back to him near the top of the box. Fortunately, Taifi got back and reached the ball before Sunderland, knocking it wide.

Miami nearly took the lead in the 83rd minute when second-half substitute Nykolas Sessock sent a cross into the box. Borgelin was making a run and got behind Kibunguchy. He got his foot to the ball, but sent it wide of the far post.

The Young Lions had a pair of opportunities themselves in the 85th minute. A low cross into the box was looking for Lynn, but Tyler Hall did well to get down and reach it before Lynn could get a foot on it. The Young Lions maintained possession and Tablante sent the ball back in from the left. This time it was Finnerty that gathered the ball before it could reach a teammate.

The Young Lions almost scored again in the 90th minute when Mohammed received the ball on the right. He sent a low cross into the six-yard box for Lynn with a defender on his back. The striker was unable to get on the end of the pass, allowing it to go out of play for a goal kick.

Two minutes into second-half injury time, OCB had a chance when Solis played Loyola in the middle of the field. The forward dribbled around a pair of defenders and into the box, finding enough space for a shot on goal. But it was a weak attempt and right at Finnerty.

The Young Lions had one last chance four minutes into stoppage time and felt they should’ve had a penalty. The cross into the box was for Lynn and the striker went down. It looked like he was pulled, but Calume decided not to award the spot kick. Instead, he booked Perelman for dissent. That was the last chance as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

OCB ended the 90 minutes with more possession (66.4%-33.6%), shots (20-9), shots on target (4-2), corners (11-3), and crosses (34-3), and better passing accuracy (87.3%-69.1%). The difference in the game was the inability of the Young Lions to hit the target. While Inter Miami II only had seven shots off target, OCB had a disappointing 16 shots off frame.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, each team was awarded one point and an extra point being distributed through penalties.

Both teams took quality penalties, beginning with Sunderland, Lynn, and Sessock all converting. The difference came in OCB’s second shot when Solis sent his penalty well over the crossbar. Borgelin, Rivera, Abadia-Reda, and Kibunguchy all scored, giving Meek the opportunity to end it. After going right on the first four shots, only to see the hosts shoot left, Otero went left on Meek’s attempt. The midfielder sent it the opposite direction and Miami took the extra point.

This was the last game between the two sides this season and OCB ends it undefeated against its in-state rivals. The Young Lions won the first two meetings — one in Orlando and one in Miami — and drew this one.

The Young Lions remain in fifth in the MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The draw moves them one point ahead of Philadelphia Union II, who beat NYCFC II 2-0 on Friday night. They also remain in second in the Central Division, now four points ahead of Chicago Fire II.

It will be a short break for OCB, as the Young Lions return home Wednesday evening to face New England Revolution II, which sits two spots ahead in the East.

Related Topics:Featured OCB recaps Orlando City B

Up Next

Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II: Final Score 5-4 as OCB’s Comeback Comes Up Short

Don't Miss

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

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

February 13, 2025

Michael Citro

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.

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

January 30, 2025

Sean Rollins

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.

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

January 27, 2025

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was r eleased 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.