Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II: Final Score 1-1 as OCB Draws and Falls in Penalties
OCB erases a halftime deficit to draw 1-1 with New England Revolution II, but the hosts grab the extra point for winning the shootout.
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Orlando City B (12-10-4, 41 points) played poorly in the first half, but fought back valiantly in the second to draw New England Revolution II (14-5-8, 56 points) 1-1 at Gillette Stadium. The hosts dominated the first half, taking the lead through Victor Souza in the 14th minute. But they missed several golden opportunities to double the advantage, and Jack Lynn equalized in the 65th minute. The game went into penalties to decide the extra point, with New England winning the shootout 3-2.
OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that lost 6-3 to Crown Legacy FC Sunday night. Moises Tablante entered the starting lineup at left back in place of Franco Perez, who started on the bench. Jhon Solis, who had started every game this season, was suspended after being sent off the last time these two teams met on Aug. 9. He was replaced in the lineup by Lynn.
Starting in their usual 4-4-2 formation, the back line in front of Javier Otero was Imanol Almaguer, Nabi Kibunguchy, Abdi Salim, and Tablante. Alex Freeman, Cristian Medina, Juninho, and Wilfredo Rivera were in the midfield, with Lynn and Shak Mohammed up top.
This was a game of two halves for the Young Lions. They were lifeless in the first 45 minutes and should’ve been down multiple goals if not for some poor finishing by the opposition. They took advantage of the opportunity and played much better in the second half, resulting in an equalizer. Despite failing to secure a playoff spot tonight, they brought themselves closer to making the postseason for just the second time in team history.
OCB controlled possession in the first few minutes, but it was New England that created the chances. In the fifth minute, Colby Quinones found Damian Rivera running behind the OCB defense. It looked like the midfielder would get a shot off, but Kibunguchy did well defending and knocked it out for a corner kick. Jake Rozhansky’s ensuing set piece was too close to Otero, who caught it.
In the seventh minute, forward Joshua Bolma got his first attempt when he cut back inside from the right to lose Tablante and create enough space for a shot. However, it was right to Otero, who made the easy save.
Rivera had his second opportunity in the eighth minute when he received the ball at the top of the OCB box. The 20-year-old midfielder cut inside to lose Almaguer and shot towards the near post, but it skipped just wide.
OCB had its first chance of the game in the 12th minute when Juninho made a long run into the New England box. He had Mohammed and Lynn flanking him, but decided to take it himself. With two defenders closing in, Juninho shot to the near post but missed wide, which became a theme for the Brazilian throughout the match and into the shootout.
In the 14th minute, Almaguer got in front of a New England shot, blocking it out for a corner kick. Rozhansky took the set piece, sending over the head of Noble Okello and Jordan Adebayo-Smith at the near post and into the center of the six-yard box. Souza darted to the ball, beating Medina and Kibunguchy. It was an awkward attempt by the defender and difficult to tell whether it came off his head, chest, or foot, but went inside the near post to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The Young Lions tried to play the ball out of the back, but a turnover in his own third by Lynn provided another opportunity for New England. Rivera took possession, sprinted to the top of the OCB box, and found Bolma to his left. The forward attempted to curl the ball inside the far post beyond the reach of Otero, but missed just wide.
New England should’ve scored a second goal in the 22nd minute when Bolma received the ball on the right side of the box. He quickly sent a low cross in for Adebayo-Smith, who was left uncovered at the far post. The ball popped up on the artificial turf, bouncing off the striker and wide. It was a fortunate bounce for the Young Lions because the ball just as easily could’ve bounced off his chest and in.
Rivera had his third chance of the game in the 25th minute when he received the ball on the left. The midfielder took two touches to lose his defender and took a snap-shot on goal. Fortunately, the strong shot was right to Otero, who blocked it away with both hands. No attacking players were nearby, so OCB was able to clear.
In the 27th minute, Rozhansky entered the box and got behind Juninho. The OCB captain didn’t recognize the New England midfielder sneaking behind him, enabling Rozhansky to get his head on the Bolma cross. Otero’s positioning was perfect for the wide-open attempt and the header was right to the OCB goalkeeper.
Juninho made his second long run to the New England box in the 43rd minute. Similar to his earlier run, the OCB captain shot from the top of the 18, but sent it wide. It didn’t appear to touch any defenders, but the referee awarded a corner kick. OCB struggled to create chances from the set piece, eventually sending a shot right to New England goalkeeper Max Weinstein.
Otero has been solid for OCB this season but almost made a huge blunder in the 45th minute. The goalkeeper came out of his box, but was beaten to the ball by Marcos Dias. Cutting inside to create space for a shot, the midfielder sent the ball on goal. Fortunately, Salim was there to head it over the top and out of play, keeping the halftime deficit at one.
OCB had more first-half possession (56.7%-43.3%) and crosses (5-2) and passed more accurately (88%-86.5%). However, most of the Young Lions’ possession and passes were in the midfield rather than the final third. Rather than crossing into the box, New England found pockets of space for chances, resulting in more shots (11-5) and shots on target (6-0).
Perelman made one halftime change, replacing Wilfredo Rivera with Perez. The substitution pushed Tablante from left back into the midfield.
OCB nearly had a chance in the 49th minute when Mohammed played the ball out wide for Freeman. The Homegrown midfielder sent a low cross into the box, where Lynn attempted to turn and shoot, but the ball got caught in his feet.
Lynn had another chance in the 51st minute when Tablante found him in the box. The striker took a first-touch shot that skied over the target. Lynn had more time than he realized for a touch before shooting, but took it first time.
In the 55th minute, Mohammed took an ambitious shot from long range that appeared to be heading well wide. Weinstein dove to his left anyway and blocked the ball out of play, giving OCB a corner kick.
New England headed the ball away, which went to Adebayo-Smith and only Perez back. The striker touched the ball past the left back to get behind the entire defense. Otero came out of his box to near midfield, where he collided with Adebayo-Smith, heading it the opposite direction. Otero popped right up after the big collision, but Adebayo-Smith remained down and required medical attention.
Playing with a man advantage while Adebayo-Smith was treated on the sideline, OCB had a chance to equalize in the 61st minute when Mohammed played the ball wide for Juninho. The midfielder dribbled inside until he found some space and aimed for the far post. The shot was beyond the reach of the diving Weinstein, but skipped wide yet again.
Two minutes later, Tablante sent a long-distance attempt that was blocked out of play by Weinstein for a corner kick. The set piece ended with a chance for Lynn about three yards from goal. But the striker somehow managed to hit the post. OCB players wanted a handball, but the referee disagreed. Meanwhile, Perez got into the box and shot from close range, but it was saved by Weinstein.
In the 65th minute, Almaguer found Juninho in the box and the midfielder’s shot was blocked wide by Weinstein. The ensuing corner was played short to Juninho, who dribbled into the box and shot. Weinstein again blocked the attempt with his right hand, but put it right in front of goal. Lynn was in the right position to tap it in for his league-leading 18th goal of the season.
New England attempted to respond quickly when Olger Escobar received the ball from Adebayo-Smith. The halftime substitute took a shot from well outside of the box, but it didn’t cause any trouble for Otero.
The hosts nearly got the lead back in the 82nd minute when Dias received the ball at the top corner of the box from Escobar. Just after entering the 18, the midfielder sent the shot towards the upper corner. Otero dove to his right, but it was too far from him. Fortunately, the ball went just wide of the far post.
In the 85th minute, Escobar took a long shot of his own, but this one went well over the target. Perelman took the opportunity to make two changes for the final minutes. Cristofer Acuna and Zakaria Taifi came into the game for Lynn and Freeman.
Four minutes into second-half stoppage time, New England had a chance for a winner when substitute Patrick Leal was played behind the OCB defense. The midfielder entered the six-yard box from the left, but Otero came out to make himself big. The goalkeeper got down with his legs spread and blocked it to keep the game at 1-1.
OCB quickly went the other way and won a corner kick. It was taken quickly to Juninho, who sent a curling ball towards the back post. The ball ended up at the feet of Kibunguchy with enough space for a shot, but it bounced off of his leg and out for a goal kick. That was the last chance for either team and it ended 1-1.
OCB had less possession in the second half, ending with a slight advantage (51.5%-48.5%). However, the Young Lions were much better in the second 45 minutes. New England ended with more shots (17-16) and shots on target (7-5), but OCB outshot the hosts (11-6) and put more on target (5-1) in the second period of play. OCB also had more corner kicks (9-6) and crosses (11-6) and passed more accurately (89%-86.6%) during the game.
Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, each team took a point from regulation and went to penalties to decide who got the extra point. It didn’t start off well for OCB as Juninho sent Weinstein the wrong way, but fired his shot wide. After Leal and Medina converted, Jacob Akanyirige had a similar situation as Juninho, sending Otero the wrong way but missing wide.
OCB took the advantage after three rounds when Moises Tablante scored and Otero saved Souza’s penalty. But Weinstein stopped Kibunguchy on the next attempt, enabling Escobar to even the shootout at 2-2 after four rounds.
Despite having Acuna and Mohammed available, OCB continued to go with defensive players, sending Taifi to the spot. Weinstein guessed correctly on the first-year professional, making a comfortable save. Otero got his hand to Dias’ subsequent attempt, but didn’t get enough of it, and New England took the extra point.
The point gets OCB closer to claiming a playoff spot for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro and the second time in team history. But it also means the Young Lions can no longer catch Columbus Crew 2 for the top spot in the Central Division and the fourth seed in the playoffs.
OCB could still claim a playoff spot this weekend if NYCFC II and Philadelphia Union II lose in regulation or a shootout tomorrow night. If either gets at least two points, OCB will need to wait until next weekend for another chance to secure a playoff spot.
The Young Lions will take the field again next Friday night when they face Chicago Fire FC II at SeatGeek Stadium in Illinois.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Huntsville City FC: Final Score 2-1 as Young Lions Hold Off Rally to Win at Home
OCB scored twice and then held on for dear life to beat Huntsville City FC at home.
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Orlando City B scored a goal in each half and held off a furious rally attempt by Huntsville City FC to pick up a 2-1 win at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Imanol Almaguer and Alex Freeman provided the offense for OCB (8-7-9, 37 points), which conceded a late goal but ultimately held off Huntsville (6-12-5, 23 points) to pick up three vital points in the MLS NEXT Pro playoff chase.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and four-game unbeaten run for Huntsville, which got its goal from Julian Gaines late fashioned several good opportunities in the dying minutes to draw level.
The starting lineup in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado included a back line of Luca Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Shak Mohammed, with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
OCB spent the first 10 minutes of the match mostly in its own end, either trying to break Huntsville’s high line of pressure or preventing the visitors from working the ball into shooting positions. Huntsville seemed more threatening but OCB defended well.
After that 10-minute stalemate, each team created a chance. The first fell Orlando City B’s way on the left, as Tuskada worked his way past the defense and fired from a tight angle. Huntsville goalkeeper Bryan Dowd saved the attempt in the 11th minute.
At the other end, Woobens Pacios got in behind the right side of OCB’s defense but his curling effort toward the back post skipped wide in the 12th minute. Huntsville came right back toward OCB’s goal with a good cross in from the right. The Young Lions failed to deal with the aerial ball and had to bundle it out for a corner in a scramble play in front, conceding a corner. The visitors weren’t able to pay off the set piece.
Orlando nearly fashioned a goal out of nothing in the 18th minute. Mohammed attempted a shot from just outside the area but a sliding defender blocked it into the air. Freeman was the first to reach the loose ball and attempted a volley shot that sailed just over the bar.
Another ball in from the left a minute later was just a bit too close to Dowd as Tsukada was trying to pick out Rivera making a near-post run. OCB created another good chance in the 23rd minute when Freeman found Rivera in the box. The forward sent a hard, low shot toward the right post but Dowd got down to make the save.
The Young Lions found a breakthrough in the 30th minute on a great sequence of one-touch passes that started on the right side of the box with Freeman and Solis. Orlando worked it eventually to the top of the area with Almaguer serving as the architect, combining with mutliple teammates. He picked out Rivera, who then sent Tsukada down the left. The winger sent a quick pass across the top of the six for a charging Almaguer to tap home, making it 1-0. It was Almaguer’s third consecutive match with a goal.
After a couple of minutes of treatment to Mercado, who landed awkwardly on his shoulder after going high to catch a cross into the area, Huntsville got back on the front foot. Jonathan Bolanos sent a shot from the top of the area just wide of the right post in the 37th minute.
Solis drew a couple of quick yellow cards on Huntsville in the final moments of the first half on fouls by Dominic Gasso and Bolanos. The latter gave OCB a set piece from distance that nearly paid off. The service was played low into the crowd of players toward the left side of goal. Freeman got to it first and fired just wide of the left post in the 43rd minute.
The game unexpectedly opened up in stoppage time, with each team getting sight of goal. Rivera tried his luck from outside the area in the second minute of added time, but he did not stay over the ball and got under it, lifting it high over the bar. Seconds later, Oliver Wright discarded Petrasso with a quick move from left to right and fired a shot just wide of the right post.
That was the final chance of the opening period, and the Young Lions took their slim lead into the locker room.
OCB had the halftime edge in shots (7-5) and shots on target (3-0), while Huntsville passed more accurately (94%-90.3%). Each team earned one corner in the first half.
Huntsville came out of the break with a lot of energy and aggression, taking the game to OCB. The Young Lions struggled to get out of their own end for the first 15 minutes of the second period and conceded the first two shtos on target of the game in that spell. Mercado made a pair of good saves to deny Wright in the 53rd and 54th minutes.
After the hour mark, the Young Lions finally relieved the pressure and held the ball for a bit, regaining their rhythm but without creating much until the 64th minute after clearing a scramble play in front of their own goal. OCB broke down the field and Freeman got into the box on the right. He shielded the ball well and went down under a challenge from Jordan Knight. Referee Alex Billeter pointed to the spot immediately and booked Knight for the foul from behind.
Freeman took the spot kick himself and blasted it into the upper right side to make it 2-0 in the 66th minute.
OCB had a couple of good opportunities after that to find a third, and the first of those came in the 72nd minute. Rivera had the ball on the right in transition but Huntsville had numbers back. The forward cut inside on his left and let a powerful shot go toward goal, but Dowd did well to make the save to keept it at 2-0.
Huntsville started pouring numbers forward and OCB could not stay organized or compact, allowing several low crosses to get into the box from the visitors’ attacking left side. However, it was the other side that allowed Huntsville to pull a goal back.
Gaines cut inside from the right to break free of Tsukada and sent a low, left-footed shot just inside the left post. Mercado looked as if he’d get over to make the save, but it was just out of reach. Huntsville pulled within 2-1 in the 81st minute.
OCB was fortunate not to allow the equalizer just seconds later. A poor back pass from Almaguer popped into the air and Williams couldn’t handle it. Bolanos got to it and fired past Mercado, but the ball had hit the Huntsville attacker on the arm before it fell to his feet and the infraction nullified what would have been a tying strike.
Mercado made a huge save in the 84th minute off a Huntsville corner and in the scramble to pounce on the loose ball, he was fouled, taking the pressure off momentarily.
Second-half sub Yeiler Valencia led a transition that could have put the game away in the 88th minute. Taking a long outlet pass, he streaked down the right and drew the defense toward him. Valencia sent a cross in front for fellow substitute Tahir Reid-Brown at the back post, but the fullback couldn’t make clean contact with the bouncing ball and sent the effort wide.
Mercado stayed busy throughout four minutes of stoppage time that ballooned to seven. He had to make a vital save in the 91st minute when Pacias got in behind the defense. Mercado blocked it from point-blank range but took the shot in a sensitive area and needed some time to continue, which added to the injury time.
OCB survived several nervy moments in its own box before finally clearing one last time and hearing the final whistle.
The visitors finished with the advantage in shots (13-10), passing accuracy (91.5%-85.9%), corners (6-2), and crosses (13-3). OCB put more shots on frame (5-4) and ultimately did just enough to see out a nervy win in the end.
Orlando City B has won three of its last four matches and is 4-1-1 in its last six games. The win momentarily allowed the Young Lions to jump above the playoff line, but multiple teams were either still in action or have a game in hand. Still, the team is alive for a potential playoff berth with four matches remaining.
The Young Lions are back in action a week from tonight at Crown Legacy.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. New York City FC II: Final Score 5-2 as OCB Suffers First Loss to NYCFC II
The Young Lions trailed from early on and could never quite get back on level terms, conceding two late goals in an ultimately lopsided loss.
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Orlando City B (7-7-9, 34 points) played from behind for most of the match before falling 5-2 to New York City FC II (10-5-6, 39 points) at Belson Stadium in New York City this evening. Camil Azzam Ruiz gave the hosts the lead in the eighth minute and Andrew Baiera’s 31st-minute goal made it 2-0 at halftime. It was a back-and-forth second half with OCB goals by Imanol Almaguer and Alex Freeman being answered by Nicholas Kapanadze and Taylor Calheira. Baiera’s second goal in stoppage time put a cap on the game.
OCB deployed the same lineup that destroyed Atlanta United 2 Friday night 4-1. The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Luca Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske were the defensive midfielders behind Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Shak Mohammed with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
This game was originally scheduled for June 19 but was postponed until today. Despite being on a Wednesday, kickoff took place at 4:30 p.m. This was a game of two halves for the Young Lions. NYCFC II dominated the first 45 minutes and took a deserved two-goal lead into the break. But OCB came out a different team in the second half, putting the hosts under pressure. It looked at times as though the Young Lions would come back to equalize or take the lead but couldn’t find the last touch. That allowed NYCFC II to respond and come away with the win.
The hosts took the lead in the eighth minute from poor defending and an excellent run by Ronald Arevalo. Receiving a ball forward from Stevo Bednarsky, Arevalo kept possession after a push from Tsukada and avoided challenges by Petrasso and Almaguer. As Williams closed down on the attacker, blocking his ability to shoot, Arevalo laid it off for Azzam Ruiz, who beat Kibunguchy to the ball and slipped it past Mercado to make it 1-0.
The best first-half chance for OCB came a few minutes later when Petrasso was sent behind the back line with an aerial ball by Solis. The left back was free on goal and it didn’t appear as though any defenders would catch up with him, but Matthew Leong did well to get back. The defender slid in to block the shot, which also took a touch by NYCFC goalkeeper Will Meyer before leaving the box.
NYCFC II doubled its advantage in the 31st minute. It was another excellent individual effort, this time by Maximo Carrizo. After dribbling to the top of the box, Carrizo sent a hard pass to his right. He appeared to be looking for Arevalo, but Baiera took it instead. The defender split Freeman and Petrasso, putting it past Mercado to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.
OCB tried to respond in the 36th minute when Guske took possession of the ball. He dribbled through a defender and created enough space to get a shot off. Unfortunately, it was over the crossbar.
The Young Lions nearly had a great chance to get one back in the 41st minute when Mohammed sent a cross into the box from the end line. Solis was making a run into the six, but Samuel Owusu slid in and knocked the ball out of play before it could reach Solis.
The final first-half chance for OCB came in the second minute of stoppage time when Mohammed played the ball to Freeman on his right. Tsukada and Petrasso were making runs into the box and Freeman sent the ball in, but it was too close to Meyer, who caught the attempt.
It looked as though the hosts would make it 3-0 in the final minute of first-half stoppage time when Arevalo dribbled into the OCB third of the field. He played Azzam Ruiz forward and it appeared as though the attacker would net his second of the game. But Kibunguchy came flying in and blocked the attempt, ensuring Azzam Ruiz wouldn’t be able to put the ball into the corner of the goal.
After 45 minutes, NYCFC had more shots (9-4) and shots on target (4-2) and better passing accuracy (91.6%-85.7%). OCB had more corner kicks (3-1) and all of the crosses (4-0) since the hosts created their attacks by dribbling down the middle of the field.
Both teams created a chance inside the first five minutes of the second half. In the 48th minute, Kibunguchy made a surprising run down the right. The center back played the ball into the box for Rivera, who went down after some contact. However, no foul was called and the ball went through the box untouched.
NYCFC II had a chance in the 50th minute when Azzam Ruiz was sent behind the back line by Stevo Bednarsky. The defenders appeared to think Azzam Ruiz was offside, allowing him to get free on goal. Williams sprinted back to put some pressure on the attacker and he sent the attempt off target.
The Young Lions got a goal back in the 52nd minute when Almaguer and Solis combined. Receiving the ball from Mohammed, who had made a run down the right to the end line, Almaguer played a give-and-go with Solis. The return pass was a chip that was volleyed in by Almaguer to cut the deficit in half.
NYCFC II nearly had a golden opportunity to extend its lead in the 58th minute when Jonathan Shore found himself at the top of the six with nobody marking him. The pass found him, but Kibunguchy came flying in to knock the ball off of his foot. It was the second time the center back had saved an almost certain goal.
However, the hosts reclaimed their two-goal lead in the 69th minute from a terrible mistake by Kibunguchy. The center back received the ball in his own third and took his time looking for an outlet. In the meantime, Kapanadze came up behind him and took the ball right off his foot. Nobody was close to being able to close down the second-half substitute, enabling him to slip it past Mercado and giving NYCFC II a 3-1 lead.
The Young Lions nearly got one back off of the kickoff when Rivera’s ball was blocked out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found Almaguer at the top of the box and the OCB captain laid it off for Guske. It was an ambitious attempt by the academy product, but the shot was on target and forced Meyer to tip it over the top of the goal. Unfortunately, the Young Lions couldn’t create a shot from the second corner kick, enabling the hosts to clear.
OCB nearly found an incredible goal in the 76th minute when Solis sent a pass to Mohammed, who was making a diagonal run on the right. The attacker’s first touch appeared to be a cross, but it curled towards goal. The ball went over the outstretched arm of Meyer and hit the crossbar.
That was the last action before the second-half hydration break. During the stoppage, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made his first two changes. Justin Ellis and Favian Loyola came in for Rivera and Mohammed.
Immediately after the break, NYCFC II created a chance for a fourth goal. Jonny Lopez played Baiera into the right side of the box and the defender’s second touch was a shot on goal. Due to the pace on the ball, Mercado could only block it wide for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was met by Calheira at the near post, but he sent the redirection wide.
The Young Lions kept the comeback alive in the 83rd minute when they cut the deficit back to one. It started when Solis played the ball across the field for Tsukada near the top of the box. Petrasso was overlapping the midfielder and Tsukada played him forward. Petrasso’s low cross went through Ellis, Owusu, and Meyer, ending up on the foot of Freeman right in front of the goal. Freeman had Christopher Tiao on his back, making it difficult to put the ball in. As a result, it sat on the goal line until the right back could get a final touch on it. Fortunately he did, making it a 3-2 game.
Goldberg made three more changes in the final five minutes as the Young Lions looked for an equalizer. Jackson Platts and Tahir Reid-Brown came on for Freeman and Petrasso in the 85th minute before Gustavo Caraballo replaced Almaguer in the 90th minute.
Unfortunately, OCB was unable to find the equalizer and the hosts put the game out of reach. Platts pulled back Tiao in the second minute of stoppage time, giving the hosts a free kick. Tiao laid on the ground for a while before getting up and play resumed. Despite the rule stating players must receive treatment after 15 seconds and exit for two minutes, the referee allowed him to continue.
Tiao’s set piece was headed by Platts to Guske in the middle of the field. However, the defensive midfielder was beaten to it by Kapanadze near the top of the box. Calheira received the header and nobody closed him down, enabling the substitute to shoot on goal. It was a low but accurate shot that left Mercado frozen, going into the corner and giving the hosts a 4-2 lead.
The fourth goal effectively put the game away, but NYCFC II scored a fifth for good measure. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Julien Lacher sprinted down the right. As Lopez made a run to the top of the six, Baiera made a trailing run into the box. Three defenders converged on Lacher, forcing Kibungnuchy to track Lopez. As a result, Baiera was wide open near the penalty spot.
Mercado came back across his goal to close down Baiera, but the defender kept his composure. A simple touch to his right saw Mercado go down and it was an easy finish for his second goal of the game.
That was the final action of the contest as OCB fell 5-2 to NYCFC II. At full time, NYCFC II had more shots (16-11) and shots on target (8-5) and better passing accuracy (88.4%-87.7%). The Young Lions had more corner kicks (6-2) and crosses (9-0).
This is the first time OCB has lost to NYCFC II since the two teams first met in 2022. Before today, the Young Lions were 3-0-3 in six games against the MLS NEXT Pro Pigeons.
NYCFC II moves up to fourth in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference with the three points. Meanwhile, OCB remains in ninth, one spot below the last playoff position. It’s a difficult loss, but the Young Lions are only one point behind Chattanooga FC, two points behind Chicago Fire II and Inter Miami II, and three points behind Crown Legacy for fifth.
It’s a short break for OCB as the Young Lions return home Sunday night to face Huntsville City FC at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Atlanta United 2: Final Score 4-1 as Young Lions Blast Atlanta
The Young Lions’ offensive explosion continued with four more in a decisive road win at Atlanta United 2.
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Four different Young Lions scored as Orlando City B routed Atlanta United 2 by a 4-1 final score at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA. OCB (7-6-9, 34 points) won its second straight game and now has scored seven goals in its last two matches with the win in Atlanta (6-10-5, 26 points).
Yutaro Tsukada picked up where he left off last weekend with another goal and an assist to go with the one of each he had against New York City FC II last weekend. Imanol Almaguer, Luca Petrasso, and Shak Mohammed also scored for OCB before Noble Okello spoiled the shutout in the second half.
Manuel Goldberg’s starting lineup included Carlos Mercado in goal behind a back line of Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Mohammed, with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
Solis produced the game’s first scoring chance by slipping a ball into the box for Tsukada’s run. The winger faked a shot with his right, faked a move left, and then fired a right-footed shot toward the left side. However, it hit the post and stayed out in the fourth minute.
The next good chance came in the 11th minute and it again involved Solis and Tsukada. Solis took a pass down the left channel from Tsukada and picked out Rivera in the box. The forward tried a first-time chip shot toward the back post but it landed on top of the net.
The Young Lions broke through four minutes later. A good ball in from Petrasso on the left was flicked on goal by Tsukada. Jayden Hibbert made the initial save but the ball came right back to Tsukada, who sent his shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.
Atlanta had its first dangerous attacking spell after OCB’s goal, swarming forward with intense pressure and counterpressure. Rodrigo Neri fired a shot at the top of the area but Williams was there to block it. OCB survived a couple of corner kicks and finally broke the pressure.
Tsukada made a brilliant move in the 20th minute to send Petrasso down the left. The fullback sprinted down the flank and spotted Mohammed breaking free on the right but his cross was just a foot or two beyond his reach.
Javier Armas tried a shot from about 30 yards out in the 22nd minute but it was well off target. A minute later, OCB had a chance on an even longer shot.
Rivera stole the ball at midfield and spotted Hibbert off his line. The forward unleashed a shot from extreme range that would have beaten Hibbert but it sliced just wide to the right.
Both teams nearly scored in the 30th minute, with Solis taking the ball away in the penalty area but before he could gather it and fire on goal with Hibbert out of position, he was bundled over from behind by Efrain Morales. Despite his shouts for a penalty, none was given.
Atlanta went the other way and Nick Firmino was dispossessed at the top of the OCB area, but three Young Lions failed to clear and the ball was picked up there by Armas, who dribbled deftly through all of them and fired just wide of the left post.
It was a costly miss, because the Young Lions doubled their lead eight minutes later. Freeman had the ball on the left and found Almaguer at the top of the area just left of the middle. The midfielder blasted a shot into the upper right corner to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute.
Dominic Chong-Qui lost Freeman at the other end in the 43rd minute and broke in on the left side, but he shot his attempt into the outside netting of Mercado’s goal. Seconds later, the Young Lions struck again.
Solis did well to slip the ball behind the Atlanta back line to a streaking Petrasso. With one defender back and Mohammed on his right, Petrasso took the shot himself with his left foot, slotting it home to make it 3-0 in the 43rd minute.
Atlanta closed the half with a flurry of shots in stoppage time. Guske made a mistake and let up when he thought the ball was over the sideline. Chong-Qui never stopped and got in down the left again but his shot was wide once again. Moments later, Alan Carleton got to the top of the area and fired but Kibunguchy got just enough of a block to send it just wide of the left post.
After the ensuing corner kick was partially cleared, a late attempt by Armas was a weak effort that Mercado was able to scoop up, ending the half.
Atlanta had much more of the first-half possession, although the MLS NEXT Pro website doesn’t list possession numbers in its stats. The hosts also attempted more shots (9-8), won more corners (4-1), and passed more accurately (89.5%-85.1%), but OCB put more shots on target (5-1) and made most of those count.
Atlanta nearly scored just after the second-half kickoff. Matias Gallardo was left all alone and put in a good cross to Neri, who was also left all alone. The header was on goal but Mercado made a terrific diving save to keep the hosts off the board. Atlanta couldn’t pay off a pair of corner kicks in the wake of Neri’s chance.
Okello tried a shot from about 30 yards out in the 51st minute. It was a good, hard shot but Mercado was able to get down to make the save.
Mohammed took a pass from Freeman and scored a minute later but he was offside on the play. That led to a quick goal kick and Williams gambled and lost going for a pass, allowing Neri to get in behind. It appeared Neri would have a breakaway but Kibunguchy was able to get over and bail Williams out with a good defensive play.
Rivera sent a shot just inches over the crossbar in the 54th minute as the back-and-forth second half continued. No matter, as the Young Lions put a fourth on the board three minutes later, anyway.
Rivera unlocked the defense with a pass that sent Tsukada down the left. With one defender back, Tsukada faked a move and unselfishly found Mohammed, who fired in OCB’s fourth goal of the match in the 57th minute. It was Mohammed’s 10th goal of the season.
Almaguer did well in the 66th minute to hold his ground and block a shot by Gallardo. The hosts pulled a goal back moments later, however. Second-half sub Stephen Hurlock freed himself up and fired a shot that the defense deflected wide. Okello got his head to the ensuing corner kick and put it in the bottom left corner to make it 4-1 in the 69th minute.
Solis turned the ball over trying to switch play in the 75th minute, igniting the Atlanta break. At the end of the counterattack, Gallardo sent his shot high over the bar.
Solis freed himself up in the 78th minute and went for goal, but Hibbert was able to dive to his left to catch it.
Stll in the 78th minute, Atlanta came right back down with a pair of shots but Armas’ effort was blocked and Guske blocked Firmino’s attempt seconds later.
Gallardo hit the left post in the 82nd minute after being left at the top of the box with too much space. Two minutes later, a good ball found Jacob Williams alone in front of goal. The Atlanta attacker sent his header off target but based on the spot of the restart, the flag must have come up anyway.
OCB finally created a good chance in the 85th minute with Freeman slipping second-half sub Justin Ellis in but Hibbert came out to close down the shot and made a vital save. Favian Loyola, another second-half sub, did well to set up fellow substitute Bernardo Goncalves in the 90th minute but Hibbert again made a strong save.
The Young Lions saw out the five minutes of stoppage time, and then some, with Mercado finishing the game with a point-blank save.
The hosts finished with the advantage in possession, shots (21-14), corners (8-2), and passing accuracy (89.6%-87.3%), but Orlando City B got more shots on target (10-5) and was far more clinical with its opportunities.
The win, at least temporarily, pushes OCB into the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference, pending other results this weekend. OCB is tied on points with seventh-place Crown Legacy but the North Carolina-based club holds the tiebreaker on wins.
The Young Lions will be back on the road Wednesday when they visit New York City FC II Wednesday at 5 p.m.
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