Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. NYCFC II: Final Score 4-3 as OCB Completes Second-Half Comeback
A pair of braces by Shak Mohammed and Jack Lynn saw OCB erase a 3-1 deficit and win it late.

Orlando City B (11-9-3, 37 points) came back from a two-goal, second-half deficit tonight to beat NYCFC II (9-11-2, 29 points) 4-3 at Belson Stadium in Queens, NY. Shak Mohammed gave the Young Lions an early lead, but Matt Myers and Jack Beer scored two goals in two minutes to flip the scoreline. Myers’ second in the 55th minute made it 3-1, before a Jack Lynn brace and an 87th-minute winner by Mohammed secured all three points for the visitors.
OCB had some first-team players in the lineup during Wednesday night’s 5-4 loss to New England Revolution II, so there were some changes in the team for this trip. Javier Otero, Zakaria Taifi, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Wilfredo Rivera entered the lineup in place of Mason Stajduhar, Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Felipe. Freeman was the only one of those four to make the trip.
The back line in front of Otero was Taifi, Kibunguchy, Abdi Salim, and Moises Tablante. Imanol Almaguer, Cristian Medina, Wilfredo Rivera, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield with Mohammed and Lynn up top.
OCB got off to a great start in this game, but NYCFC II settled down after the first 15 minutes. The hosts controlled the final half hour of the first half and took a commanding lead 10 minutes into the second half. But Lynn’s 62nd-minute goal provided a spark for the Young Lions and they had NYCFC II on their back foot for the majority of the second half. Braces for the two forwards were the difference as the Young Lions completed their largest comeback win of the season.
OCB had the game’s first chance when Stevo Bednarsky fouled Solis directly in front of goal and 25 yards out. Solis was the only one to step up and take the set piece, sending it into the arms of NYCFC II goalkeeper Alex Rando.
The Young Lions had another attempt in the fourth minute when Jonathan Jimenez fouled Tablante just outside of the box and to the left of goal. Rivera sent the free kick towards the near post, where Solis was making a run, but it missed the midfielder. Mohammed was the first to reach it behind him, but he sent the shot over the target.
The pressure by OCB paid off in the sixth minute when it forced the hosts into a mistake. Receiving the ball from Rio Hope-Gund, Klevis Haxhari attempted a pass for Samuel Owusu, but Taifi stepped in front to pick it off. The defender quickly sent the ball forward for Mohammed, whose second touch was a shot past Rando and into the corner to give the Young Lions an early 1-0 lead.
OCB had a chance to make it two in the ninth minute when Rivera took the ball away from a NYCFC II corner kick. He found Mohammed on his left and the Young Lions had numbers going forward. Mohammed’s low cross looked like it would connect with Medina, but it went by the midfielder and to Solis, whose shot was blocked.
NYCFC II found the equalizer in the 17th minute when Mohammed fouled Christian McFarlane by the sideline. Owusu sent the free kick into the box where MLS NEXT Pro’s leading goal scorer Myers got behind Medina and volleyed the ball past Otero. Medina held his arm up claiming it was offside, but the goal was given to make it 1-1.
Less than a minute later, Kibunguchy played a short ball to Medina, who was quickly swarmed by NYCFC II players. Beer took the ball off Medina’s foot and his second touch was a strong shot that beat Otero inside his near post, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead.
It looked like OCB might have a breakaway in the 27th minute when Lynn made a run through the middle of the field and called for the ball. Almaguer had it on the right and sent it forward for the striker, but Lynn couldn’t hold his run and was ruled offside.
NYCFC II nearly had a third goal in the 32nd minute when quick passing by the hosts resulted in Jimenez receiving the ball on the right. The midfielder sent a low cross towards the far post, where John Denis was making a run, but Almaguer slid in to block it. The ball popped up for Myers at the penalty spot and the forward tried to turn and put the ball on goal. Fortunately, he couldn’t get over it and the shot went harmlessly over the crossbar.
Jimenez received the ball on the right again in the 37th minute, dribbling behind Salim. He had Denis making a run towards the far post, but decided to take the shot himself. He had a decent angle, but sent the shot right to Otero who easily made the stop.
OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made his first change of the game in the 41st minute. Starting the game on the bench, regular right back Freeman came on for Taifi shortly before halftime.
In the 43rd minute, a quick give-and-go between Freeman and Mohammed enabled the latter to send a dangerous cross towards the near post, where Lynn was making a run. Unfortunately, it was a bit too far in front of the striker, and Rando was able to fall on it. Seconds later, Mohammed beat his defender to the end line and sent another ball towards Lynn at the near post. This one was closer to the striker and Lynn tried to use his heel to knock it past Rando, but couldn’t get on the end of it and the ball bounced through the box.
The fourth official put up three minutes of first-half stoppage time and NYCFC II was the only team to create a chance before the end of the half. Jimenez played the ball outside for Hope-Gund, who played it back to the midfielder at the top of the box. His shot was through the legs of Kibunguchy, but into the arms of Otero.
The Young Lions dominated the first 15 minutes, creating multiple chances and striking first. But the goal woke the hosts up and they had the better opportunities in the final 30 minutes of the first half. At halftime, OCB had more possession (51.7%-48.3%) and better passing accuracy (79.1%-72.6%), but NYCFC II had more shots (7-6), shots on target (4-3), and corners (5-1).
OCB had the first second-half chance in the 49th minute after Tablante was taken down by Jimenez just outside of the box. The short set piece ended up with Almaguer, who sent a good ball towards the six. It was headed towards the top of the box by Owusu, where it landed at the feet of Salim, but his shot was blocked by Bednarsky. Kibunguchy took a second attempt, but his shot was blocked by Haxhari.
In the 54th minute, Freeman dribbled the ball across the top of the box and gave it to Rivera. The attacker attempted to find space, eventually going down after contact with Owusu. NYCFC II broke the other way where Beer found Myers for a breakaway. Otero did well to come off his line and block the attempt. Denis ended up with the rebound, but Almaguer got in front to block it out of play.
The ensuing corner kick by Denis went into a group of players in the box. Owusu jumped over everyone, but Myers was the one to get the final touch, putting it past Otero to make it 3-1.
NYCFC II nearly had a fourth in the 59th minute when Denis played a low ball through the box. Jimenez ended up with it and sent a shot on goal, but Otero made a diving save, tipping it wide. Denis neary reached the rebound, but Almaguer got to it first, clearing it out of play.
Lynn almost got one back for OCB in the 61st minute when Tablante sent a dangerous ball towards the top of the six-yard box. The striker was there and got his foot to the ball, but Rando was able to get down and block it away with his foot.
Right after that attempt, NYCFC II tried to play the ball out of the back, but Medina intercepted the pass. Receiving the ball from Medina, Rivera found Solis, who quickly played it to Mohammed. Lynn was making a run towards goal and Mohammed found him, enabling the striker to redirect it in and making it a 3-2 game.
Perelman made his second substitution in the 64th minute, bringing Franco Perez on for Rivera.
OCB received a boost of energy as the game neared the 70th minute, keeping more possession and creating more chances than its opponents. The Young Lions had multiple opportunities, primarily with Almaguer lifting balls into the box, but nobody could get on the end of them. The only shot was a long-distance cross or shot attempt by Almaguer that sailed out of play.
Just after that chance, OCB made its final change of the game, bringing Favian Loyola on for Tablante.
The Young Lions found their equalizer in the 80th minute from a poor touch by Piero Elias. Mohammed got to the ball before Elias, tapping it to Loyola, who immediately sent the ball forward for Lynn making a run behind the NYCFC II back line. The striker shot from just outside of the box, aiming for the near post. Rando should’ve done better with it, but the ball got past him to even the game at 3-3.
OCB took the lead in the 87th minute when the ball was played around for Solis on the left. The midfielder lifted it forward for Perez, making a diagonal run into the box. The substitute found Mohammed at the penalty spot, and the forward didn’t miss his opportunity, putting it past Rando and into the top corner to give OCB a 4-3 lead.
The fourth official showed five minutes of second-half stoppage time, but it was extended when NYCFC II nearly had a chance. A ball through the box found McFarlane, but Almaguer got there just in time. The midfielder also tried to keep the ball from going out for a corner kick, flipping over the advertising boards and requiring attention.
OCB had a great chance to put the game away in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Haxhari swung and missed on a shot from outside of the box. Perez took control and sprinted the other way. Mohammed made a run through the middle of the field, but NYCFC II was lacking numbers in the back as the hosts were pushing for a late equalizer.
Owusu was the only man back for New York and had to make a decision, eventually leaving Mohammed to close down Perez. He played it across for Mohammed, whose first touch should’ve been a shot on goal. Instead, he took a touch, allowing Bednarsky to catch up. Mohammed cut back and shot, but it was blocked by Rando, ending his chance at scoring a hat trick.
NYCFC II had one last chance in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Ronald Arevalo found Elias sprinting forward. After his first touch, Elias and Medina collided and the referee awarded the hosts a free kick just outside of the box. NYCFC II wanted a penalty, but replays showed the foul occurred just before Elias entered the penalty area.
Jonathan Shore and Maximo Carrizo, a pair of second half substitutes, stood over the ball. Shore stepped over it and Carrizo took the set piece. The attempt went high and wide of the target, ending the last chance of the game. The final whistle blew immediately after the shot and OCB picked up a much-needed road win.
While NYCFC II controlled most of the first half, OCB came to life after Lynn’s first goal of the night. At full time, the Young Lions had more possession (57.1%-42.9%), shots (17-12), crosses (19-11), and passing accuracy (81.8%-72.6%). NYCFC II had more corner kicks (11-4) and both teams put seven shots on target.
This is the second time this season that OCB has come back from a 3-1 deficit to claim all three points. The Young Lions had a similar comeback on July 2 against FC Cincinnati 2, winning that game 5-3 at Osceola County Stadium. The win keeps OCB in fifth in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Chicago Fire II and five points ahead of Philadelphia Union II for the seventh and final playoff spot.
After playing three games in eight days, OCB will have two weeks off before welcoming Columbus Crew 2 to Kissimmee on Aug. 27.
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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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