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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Crown Legacy FC: Final Score 6-3 as OCB Drops Chance To Clinch Playoff Spot

OCB could have clinched a playoff spot with a win tonight, but fell at home to Crown Legacy FC.

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1 year ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (12-10-3, 40 points) fell 6-3 to Crown Legacy FC (17-4-4, 58 points) in another wild game at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. The visitors took a 4-0 halftime lead with goals by Iuri Tavares, Nick Scardina, Joao Guilherme, and Patrick Agyemang. OCB responded in the second half, led by a Jack Lynn brace and Moises Tablante scoring possibly the goal of the game. But a Nikola Petkovic strike kept the game out of reach.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made only one change to the team that beat Columbus Crew 2 at home last weekend with Abdi Salim replacing Thomas Williams. The back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero was Imanol Almaguer, Nabi Kibunguchy, Salim, and Franco Perez. Alex Freeman, Cristian Medina, Juninho, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield behind Wilfredo Rivera and Shak Mohammed.

Crown Legacy didn’t dominate this game at any point, but was more efficient in front of goal. The visitors scored on nearly every first-half chance, taking a 4-0 lead into the break. The second half was bound to be wild with this OCB team and it didn’t disappoint. Perelman brought Lynn into the game at halftime and the team’s leading scorer brought the Young Lions back with a pair of goals. Unfortunately, they couldn’t do enough to erase the deficit and lost for the third time at home this season.

The Young Lions had the first chances of the game in the seventh minute. Freeman dribbled down the right and played a low ball for Rivera in the box. The forward attempted to turn, but was well defended and Crown Legacy was able to clear.

OCB recycled and went to the left this time. Perez carried the ball to the end line, where it appeared as though he’d cross, but he shot from a tight angle instead. Crown Legacy goalkeeper Isaac Walker was glued to his near post, enabling him to make the easy stop.

The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute from a great individual play by Tavares. It started when Scardina sent a long cross to the top of the box that was headed to Tavares by Agyemang. Tavares flicked the ball up to himself and headed it on to beat Kibunguchy. His first touch after getting past the center back was a hard strike that beat Otero to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Crown Legacy doubled its advantage in the 28th minute when Kibunguchy fouled Agyemang away from goal. Petkovic played the set piece short for Joao Pedro, who immediately sent it forward for Thiago on the left. Salim got his foot to the midfielder’s low cross, but only played it back to Scardina, who sent a thunderous strike to the far post, making it 2-0.

Tavares attempted to score another impressive goal from the top of the box in the 36th minute. He was patient in finding enough space to get a shot off, but Perez got in the way and OCB cleared.

The Young Lions had a decent chance in the 38th minute when Guilherme fouled Juninho from 25 yards out. Medina stepped up to take the free kick and went directly for goal, but his shot went just over the crossbar. It wasn’t far off target, but Walker appeared to have it the whole way.

In the 43rd minute, Philip Mayaka took a shot from distance that was blocked behind the goal for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was beyond everyone in the box, but headed back in by Scardina. Juninho’s attempted clearance went backwards into a group of players. Guilherme came flying in and over Kibunguchy to meet the ball, heading it past Otero to make it 3-0 Crown Legacy.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to make it four, doing so in the first minute of first-half injury time. Marko Filipovic sent a long ball forward from his own box and Kibunguchy misjudged it, enabling Agyemang to get behind him near midfield. The attacker used his speed to lose Almaguer and a quick change of pace to beat Salim. He quickly shot to the far post, beating Otero and giving Crown Legacy a commanding 4-0 lead.

OCB had more first-half possession (54.7%-45.3%), but Crown Legacy had more shots (7-5) and shots on goal (4-1), taking advantage of set pieces and counterattacks. The Young Lions also had more corners (2-1) and passed more accurately (86.4%-84.1%). Both teams had three crosses in the first 45 minutes.

“I think that they (Crown Legacy) were effective and aggressive in the first half. We had control of the ball mostly. They were effective,” Perelman said about the first period of play. “They scored twice on set pieces, they find goals in another two sequences, and that’s it.”

Perelman made one change at halftime. Lynn didn’t start the game after being with the first team in Cincinnati Saturday night. He came on for Rivera with OCB desperately needing goals.

Despite the attacking change, it was Crown Legacy that had the good early look. Less than a minute into the half, Agyemang was sent towards the OCB end line and reached the ball just before it crossed. He played it back for Tavares, who lost Perez for space to shoot. Fortunately, his shot was over the crossbar.

OCB nearly had its first chance of the second half in the 52nd minute, when Almaguer sent a curling ball around the defense for Freeman down the right. However, Freeman was unable to hold his run and the flag went up for offside. That was the last action for Perez, who was replaced by Tablante immediately after the whistle.

The Young Lions got a goal back in the 58th minute when a cross by Tablante into the box was cleared away by Tavares. The ensuing corner kick by Tablante went all the way to the back post, where Lynn beat Scardina to the ball and tapped it in to cut the deficit to three.

OCB had another chance off a corner kick in the 60th minute when Tate Johnson headed a cross out of play. Almaguer found the head of Solis in the box with the set piece. The midfielder sent the ball towards the far post, but wide.

Crown Legacy increased its lead in the 60th minute when Johnson sent Agyemang down the left. The attacker played the ball back for David Poreba, who continued it to Tavares behind the penalty spot. With Otero left flat-footed, the striker calmly played the ball into the bottom corner to make it 5-1.

The visitors scored their sixth goal in the 67th minute from an impressive run by Tavares. A Solis turnover near midfield enabled Crown Legacy to go the other way. Tavares dribbled by Juninho and played Petkovic through. Otero came out to cut down the angle, but the midfielder placed it into the corner to make it 6-1.

Despite being down five goals, OCB didn’t give up and got one back in the 70th minute. Solis’ shot was blocked out of play, giving the Young Lions another corner kick. Almaguer’s free kick found the head of Solis near the top of the box. The header was towards the far post and it initially looked like he’d scored, but Lynn got the last touch, cutting the deficit to 6-2.

“I noticed that we were winning a lot of the first balls, but maybe not putting it on target. So I just wanted to go in the six and try and clean up anything that was coming my way,” Lynn said about his two goals on set pieces. “And two balls came my way and I was quick to react and just lucky to find the net on them.”

The goal was Lynn’s 17th of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, topping his OCB record 15 goals last year. It also tied NYCFC II’s Matt Myers for the lead in the race for the league’s top goal scorer.

“I have to first and foremost give credit to my teammates and the coaching staff for putting me in good positions to score,” Lynn said about his league-leading goal tally. “Without them, nothing’s possible. Besides that, always staying patient and trying to put away my chances when they come towards me.”

Perelman made his final two changes of the game right after the goal. Zakaria Taifi and Thomas Williams entered the game for Juninho and Medina.

Crown Legacy responded quickly to OCB’s first goal and they did again after the second. Two minutes after Lynn’s conversion, substitute Marko Filipovic received the ball in the box and was taken down by Solis from behind. Referee J.J. Bilinski didn’t hesitate pointing to the spot and awarding the visitors a penalty.

Poreba stepped to the spot, sending the shot low and to his left. But Otero guessed correctly and blocked the attempt. The OCB goalkeeper jumped on the loose ball near the center of the six-yard box before any Crown Legacy players could reach it. It was Otero’s fourth penalty save in 10 attempts this season.

Continuing the wild sequence of events, OCB got another goal back in the 74th minute. Taifi sent the ball to Solis, who split two defenders and found Tablante on the left. The substitute used a stepover to beat Scardina and dribbled past Filipovic before taking a shot from outside of the box. He couldn’t have placed it any better, skimming the bottom of the crossbar and into the corner to make it a 6-3 game.

In the 82nd minute, Crown Legacy had a chance when Poreba received the ball from Filipovic. The midfielder had space for a shot, but took a little too long and Williams came sliding in to block it wide. The ensuing corner kick by Pedro was into the hands of Otero, keeping the deficit at three.

The final chance of the game came a minute into second-half stoppage time. Guilherme cleared the ball out of play and Almaguer sent a corner kick into the box. Salim headed the ball down softly and towards goal. Lynn was in the perfect position to turn and redirect it on frame, but his attempt was over the crossbar and Crown Legacy came away with the win.

OCB ended the game with more possession (53.6%-46.4%), corners (7-3), and crosses (11-5), and passed more accurately (87%-85.5%). However, Crown Legacy created more shots (16-13) and put more shots on target (9-5).

“In the second half we had a great effort,” Perelman said of the performance. “Of course, we concede spaces to them. We find the goals, but they found another too and won. The game is finished. We faced a good team, we know that. We couldn’t do it. We didn’t have our best night.”

Despite the loss, Perelman insists he’s extremely proud of his team and the fight they showed in the second half.

“We made a lot of mistakes, but I’m proud of my team,” he said after the game. “I’m proud of my team because this is a really difficult season. It’s really difficult in second teams to prepare for a game, to make training sessions, to make a lot of things that the people don’t see. But we know. And in that context, the guys are doing a big effort, are competing, and I’m proud of my boys even more than ever today.”

Results around the league this weekend meant that OCB could’ve clinched a playoff spot tonight by taking all three points. Despite not being able to take advantage of the opportunity, the Young Lions remain in fifth in the Eastern Conference, six points above the playoff line. Since there are only three games remaining in the season, the Young Lions could officially qualify for the playoffs for the second time in team history later this week.

It will be a short turnaround for OCB as the Young Lions travel to take on New England Revolution II in a rare Thursday night contest.

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Orlando City B

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

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

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1 week ago

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February 13, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

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

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

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

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

What It Means for OCB

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

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

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Orlando City B

Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract

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

Published

3 weeks ago

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January 30, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What It Means for Orlando City

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

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

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Season

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

Published

4 weeks ago

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January 27, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Orlando City B’s 2025 Schedule

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