Orlando City B
Orlando City B at Chicago Fire II: Final Score 1-1 as OCB Clinches Playoff Spot
OCB clinches its first MLS NEXT Pro playoff appearance with a 1-1 draw and shootout win over Chicago Fire II.
Orlando City B (12-10-5, 43 points) secured its first playoff appearance in MLS NEXT Pro and second in team history with a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire II (9-8-10, 41 points) in Illinois. Sergio Oregel gave the hosts the lead in the 17th minute, but Chicago was unable to double the advantage. OCB had a much better second half, and substitute Wilfredo Rivera equalized in the 71st minute. The Young Lions won the ensuing penalty shootout, 4-3, to return home with two points.
OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that drew 1-1 with New England Revolution II last weekend. It appears that Abdi Salim and Jack Lynn are both with the first team preparing for the match tomorrow night, replaced in the lineup by Thomas Williams and Jhon Solis, who returned after serving his suspension against New England.
The Young Lions went with their typical 4-4-2 formation in this game. The starting back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero was Franco Perez, Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Imanol Almaguer. Cristian Medina, Juninho, Alex Freeman, and Moises Tablante were in the midfield with Shak Mohammed and Solis up top.
Chicago was by far the better team in the first 30 minutes and couldâve been up multiple goals before OCB took its first shot. But it remained 1-0 at halftime, enabling the Young Lions to get back into the game. A strong second-half team all year, OCB did it again, dominating the second 45 minutes to pull level.
The game got off to a slow start with neither team creating any dangerous chances. Charlie Ostrem took a long-distance shot in the second minute and Eric Leonard in the 11th minute, but both were blocked. In the 12th minute, Oregel played the ball to the top of the box for Missael Rodriguez, but his shot missed wide.
The hosts nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Billy Hency dribbled into the OCB box for the second time. He cut inside to lose Perez â who reached his right leg out but didnât get enough of the ball â and shot for the near post. Otero dove to his left, tipping the ball wide.
Chicago broke through in the 17th minute when Rodriguez received the ball in the middle of the field. He played it for Oregel, who continued the ball out right for Hency. The midfielderâs pass for Rodrigeuz was behind and it looked like OCB might clear. Dylan Borso and Juninho both went after the ball and it bounced off Borsoâs arm, but referee Calin Radosav didnât call it. The ball went back to Oregel, who put it past Otero to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.
In the 22nd minute, Hency found Luka Prpa at the top of the OCB box. Prpaâs shot was rising as it neared the OCB goal and Otero reached up for it, but the attempt ultimately went over the crossbar.
The Young Lions finally created their first attack in the 26th minute. Juninho made a long run into the Chicago box and centered the ball for Mohammed near the penalty spot. The pass was behind the forward, so Mohammed played it to Tablante on his left. Tablante made some moves to create space for a shot, but Hency did well to stay in front and blocked the attempt.
OCB was able to create some more opportunities from set pieces but was unable to convert. In the 31st minute, Prpa fouled Freeman, earning a yellow card. The free kick by Almaguer was into the box, but cleared away.
Three minutes later, Borso fouled Solis about 25 yards from goal. Almaguer was expected to lift another cross into the box, but quickly stepped up to the ball and fired on goal, attempting to catch the defense off guard. However, his shot skied over the crossbar and was never a threat for Chicago goalkeeper Jeff Gal.
Juninho found Tablante to his left in the 35th minute, but the midfielderâs second shot of the half was blocked. That was the last first-half chance for either team as the game went to the break with Chicago leading 1-0.
Possession was almost even in the first 45 minutes, with Chicago holding a slight edge (50.1%-49.9%). But the Fire created most of the chances, ending the first half with more shots (6-3), shots on target (2-0), and crosses (4-1). OCB passed more accurately (88.4%-85%) and both teams won two corner kicks.
Perelman made a surprising halftime change, replacing the teamâs second-leading goal scorer Mohammed with Cristofer Acuna. Immediately after the kickoff, the Fire created a chance when Oregel sent Rodriguez behind the OCB defense. The forward was pushed wide, but got away a shot on target. Otero was guarding his near post and got down to make the stop.
OCB created its first shot on target in the 49th minute from Perez just outside of the Chicago box. It forced Gal to dive to his left and tip the ball wide for a corner kick. The ensuing short corner resulted in an Oregel foul on Juninho just outside of the Chicago 18. Almaguer sent a curling cross towards the back post, but it was too high for Williams to put it on target, glancing off the top of his head.
As heâs done several times this year, Juninho attempted to drag his team back into the game as it neared the hour mark. In the 51st minute, the OCB captain dribbled into the box and shot, but it was right at Gal. Five minutes later, the midfielder took an ambitious shot from outside of the box. He kept it low, but it was right to Gal who made the easy save.
Perelman made his second change in the 61st minute and it was a forward for a defender. Rivera came on for left back Perez, resulting in Tablante dropping back to left back, where heâs played frequently since 2020.
It looked like OCB would have a great chance in the 64th minute when Juninho was sent forward to the top of the Chicago box. After a challenge with the defender, Juninho went down. Both teams stopped, expecting Radosav to call the foul, but he decided there wasnât enough contact.
An unusual and confusing situation occurred in the 67th minute when Kibunguchy and Rodriguez got together near the OCB box. The Young Lions ended up with the ball and went on the counter attack. After failing to create anything, Radosav halted the game as Rodriguez was still down. He gave Kibunguchy a yellow card for the collision and Perelman a yellow for dissent after the play.
OCB had been the more threatening team in the second half and found the equalizer in the 71st minute. Receiving the ball from Tablante near the end line, Juninho sent a low pass to Rivera at the top of the six-yard box. But it hit the foot of Prpa and popped up for Rivera. The second-half substituteâs diving header went past Gal to even the game at 1-1.
The Young Lions had more chances in the 75th minute when Tablante saved the ball from going out of play, but his pass into the middle was blocked out by Ueland for a corner kick. The short set piece ended up with Freeman in the box and his shot was blocked for another corner. This one didnât result in an OCB shot as Chicago won a goal kick.
In the 81st minute, Hency found Rodriguez going forward. Rodriguez took a shot shortly after entering the box, but it was blocked out of play by Williams for a corner kick. That was the last action for Rodriguez as he was immediately replaced.
The corner ended up with Matteo Kidd, who took a hard shot from distance. It looked like it wouldâve been on target, but Williams came charging in to block it, enabling OCB to clear the danger.
On the other end, OCB nearly took its first lead of the night. With his back to goal at the top of the box, Juninho laid the ball off for the oncoming Solis. The midfilederâs first touch was a hard shot towards the near post, but it went just wide.
In the 90th minute, Hency cleared the ball out of play for an OCB corner kick. The set piece found the foot of Kibunguchy in the box and the center backâs first touch was a shot. Unfortunately, he couldnât get over it, sending the ball well over the target.
The Young Lions nearly scored a winner in the third minute of stoppage time when Tablante sent a cross towards the back post. It looked to be too close to Gal, but went over his head and off the far post. The Chicago defense nearly headed it into the goal but it went just wide for a corner. That was the last chance as the game ended 1-1.
At full time, OCB had more possession (54.2%-45.8%), shots (12-11), corners (9-2), and crosses (7-5), and passed more accurately (87%-83.8%). Chicago put more shots on target (4-3), but only one past Otero.
NYCFC IIâs draw and shootout win over Toronto FC II earlier in the evening meant that the Young Lions only needed a point to clinch a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. Itâs the first time theyâve seen the postseason in the young league and the second time theyâve made the postseason in team history.
While they did their job and clinched a playoff spot, the draw meant the game would go to penalties to see which team got an extra point. Freeman started the shootout by putting his attempt into the corner. Prpa stepped up for Chicago and also went for the corner. But Otero guessed correctly and stopped it to give OCB the lead after one round.
Medina took the second attempt for the Young Lions and went right down the middle. Gal dove to his left, but left his legs back enough to block the attempt. Defender Noah Egan put his penalty past Otero to make it 1-1 after two rounds.
The shootout settled down after that with Juninho, Solis, and Acuna comfortably netting their penalties. Michael Nesci sent Otero the wrong way, but the 20-year-old goalkeeper nearly ended it in the fourth round when he got a hand to Justin Reynoldsâ attempt. Unfortunately, he couldnât get enough of it to keep it out.
After Acuna put his shot into the roof to give the Young Lions the fifth-round lead, Ostrem stepped up needing to convert. He put his attempt down the middle, nearly identical to Medina earlier. However, Otero was able to keep his legs back, blocking the shot and OCB took two points on the night.
OCB remains in fifth place with one game remaining in the regular season and canât catch Columbus Crew 2 for fourth. However, the Young Lions still have plenty to play for next weekend. They can still finish fifth, sixth, or seventh, potentially determining if they can get a home game in the postseason.
The Young Lions will return home to end their second MLS NEXT Pro regular season next Sunday when they face FC Cincinnati 2 at Osceola County Stadium.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Chicago Fire FC II: Final Score 5-1 as Chicago Scores Five Unanswered
Chicago Fire II responded to OCB’s opening goal with five unanswered in a dominating win.
Orlando City B (8-3-4, 11 points) traveled north to take on Chicago Fire FC II (7-3-4, 9 points) tonight at Flames Field on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Shak Mohammed gave the Young Lions the first-half lead, but it was all downhill after that. Goals by Peter Soudan and Jason Shokalook made it 2-1 at halftime. The hosts kept their foot on the gas with second-half goals by Jean Diouf, Justin Reynolds, and Dean Boltz in a 5-1 thumping.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes from the team that fell 4-2 to New York Red Bulls II Sunday night. Jhon Solis was suspended for yellow card accumulation after five bookings in the first seven games. Itâs the first time Solis has been out of the starting lineup this year and the second time since joining OCB in 2023, breaking a streak of 39 straight starts. Javier Otero was with the first team, so he didnât play either. They were replaced by Juan Quevedo and Carlos Mercado.
The back line in front of Mercado in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Jackson Platts, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Colin Guske and Riyon Tori were the defensive midfielders behind Quevedo, Justin Ellis, and Gustavo Caraballo with Mohammed up top.
The hosts dominated this game from the outset, creating several chances in the opening minutes. Mohammed had a couple of wasted opportunities before giving his team the lead just before the half-hour mark. That was the last good thing from OCB, as the game quickly went downhill.
The story of this one was missed chances, poor defending, and poor goalkeeping. Mohammed could’ve had four first-half goals, including a poor penalty attempt. The Young Lions failed to get back on Shokalookâs second-half goal, and Mercado had a ball bounce off his chest, giving Chicago an easy fifth.
Fire II created the first chance of the game in the sixth minute when a shot from the top left corner of the box was blocked out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece by Claudio Cassano found the head of Diego Konincks, but his header was wide.
A minute later, Mohammed was sent behind the Fire II back line. It looked like the OCB forward would have a breakaway, but Diouf did well to catch up with the first-team attacker. The defenderâs tackle in the box had to be perfect and it was, knocking the ball away.
Cassano made a long run into the OCB box in the eighth minute. He twisted and turned Caraballo but also caused himself to fall. As a result, his shot hit the outside of the net.
Soudan made a good run to the end line in the 10th minute and attempted to cross, but Quevedo got in front, blocking it out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found the head of Diouf in the box, and the center back tried to redirect it on goal but sent it over the crossbar.
The Young Lions finally got their first shot in the 12th minute when Mohammed received a pass near the top right corner of the Chicago box. The forwardâs second touch was shot, but a defender got in front to block the attempt.
Fire II won another corner kick in the 18th minute when Soudan was sent towards the end line. Quevedo again got back to block the cross for a Chicago corner kick. This time, it didnât find a red target, and the Young Lions were able to clear.
In the 21st minute, Vitaliy Hlyut found enough space for a shot inside the OCB box. He had a clear chance from about 10 yards out, but Mercado did well to get down and block the attempt.
Caraballo turned the ball over to Charles Nagle in the 22nd minute. OCB wanted a foul as Nagle pushed Caraballo down, but the referee allowed play to continue. Nagle took a shot from outside the box, sending it over the crossbar.
Mohammed had his second chance of the game in the 24th minute from a turnover in the Chicago third of the field. He dribbled into the box to the right of goal and had enough space for a shot but hit the outside of the net.
It looked like Ellis might have a chance in the 28th minute after a give-and-go with Taifi. However, the ball was knocked off his foot. Fortunately, it went directly to Caraballo, who was able to get a shot off. But his attempt was blocked.
Despite spending most of the first half-hour defending, OCB took the lead in the 29th minute. Ellis received a pass across midfield from Williams and played a beautiful ball with the outside of his right foot, sending Mohammed behind the back line. The forward curled a shot around Patrick Los to give OCB a surprising 1-0 lead.
Chicago nearly found an equalizer in the 32nd minute when Shokalook found Hlyut at the top of the six-yard box. He put his shot on target, but Mercado dove to his right, tipping it wide. Cassano followed up and shot from a tight angle, but Mercado was there again to make the save.
A minute later, Cassano sent an excellent ball to the far post where Boso was making a run. The forward tried to volley the ball on goal, sending it wide.
Chicago found the equalizer in the 37th minute with an odd goal. Soudan sent a ball into the box for Shokalook with Williams on his back, and the ball bounced right through both players. Mercado thought the ball would get redirected, so he was caught leaning the wrong way as the ball bounced off the inside of the far post to even the game at 1-1.
OCB won a corner kick in the 41st minute. Caraballoâs set piece was let go by Ellis for Taifi right behind him. The right backâs first touch was a shot, but it was blocked by Konincks.
Fire II immediately broke the other way. Cassano took possession and played it forward for Konincks. Quevedo got there first and tried to play it back to Mercado, but fell as he hit the ball. Konincks easily took possession and was in on goal. It looked like the Chicago captain would take it himself, but he played it square to Shokalook, who passed it in to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
OCB had a golden chance to equalize just before halftime when Chicago was unable to clear a corner kick into the box. It bounced around before Mohammed took possession. Reynolds reached his foot out, catching Mohammed, who went down. Referee Luis Arroyo pointed to the spot, awarding the Young Lions a penalty.
Mohammed stepped up to take the kick himself. Los guessed correctly, diving to his right. It was a poor penalty by the OCB forward, allowing the Chicago goalkeeper to block it away.
That was the final chance for either team as OCB headed into the break down 2-1. Chicago ended the first half with the advantage in shots (15-7), shots on target (5-2), corner kicks (5-2), and passing accuracy (89%-88.5%). Both teams had one cross in the first 45 minutes.
Goldberg made one change at the break as Dylan Judelson came into the game for Guske.
OCB created the first chance of the second half in the 48th minute when Caraballo dribbled into the Chicago third of the field and found Quevedo on the left. The midfielderâs third touch was a shot from the top corner of the box, but he sent it well off target.
Chicago nearly extended its lead in the 60th minute when Borso found Shokalook in the box. The attacker turned his defender and fired on goal, but Mercado did well to tip it over the crossbar.
The set piece went long but was sent back in by Soudan. It looked like Mercado would collect it, but Borso got in front. Diouf was the first one to the free ball, slamming it past Mercado to give the hosts a 3-1 lead.
It didnât take the hosts long to extend their lead further, doing so in the 65th minute. Hlyut made a long run into the OCB half. He laid it off for Cassano, who sent it back across the field for Borso. The forward used some good footwork to lose Williams, sending the ball to the opposite post, where Reynolds was making a run. It was an easy header for Reynolds to make it 4-1.
Chicago was feeling it after the fourth goal, continuing to fire on Mercado. In the 68th minute, Hlyut shot from the top of the OCB box, but it was right at the OCB shot-stopper.
In the 72nd minute, Taifi made a run towards the end line before playing the ball back to the top of the box. Ellis took a shot with his first touch, but it was right at Los.
A minute later, Caraballo made his way to the end line and attempted a cross, but Reynolds knocked it out for a corner kick. Quevedoâs set piece found Ellis, who attempted to volley it on goal, but it was blocked out of play. The second corner kick was punched away by Los, ending the attack.
Mohammed laid the ball off for Quevedo in the 75th minute and the midfielder shot, but it was blocked. The ball went to Mohammed, who went down after some contact. The OCB players appealed for a penalty, but Arroyo waved play on.
Goldberg made his second change of the night in the 77th minute as Noham Abdellaoui came on for Quevedo.
Soudan sent a dangerous cross into the OCB box in the 78th minute. A pair of Fire II players were making runs into the six, but Mercado did well to jump off his line and push the ball away.
Goldberg made two more changes in the 82nd minute. Hayden Sargis and Diego Pareja came into the game for Williams and Caraballo.
Chicago scored a fifth goal in the 85th minute when Soudan sent a ball towards goal from outside the box. It shouldâve been an easy save for Mercado, but the ball bounced off his hands and chest. Boltz was the first one to reach the free ball, putting it in to give his team a 5-1 lead.
OCB tried to respond on the other end as Mohammed was played behind the back line in the Chicago box. The forward tried to put the ball past Los, but sent the attempt over the top instead.
Taifi had a chance to get one back for OCB in the 89th minute when he received the ball on the left side of the box. The right backâs second touch was a shot on target, but Los did well to get down and make the stop.
With the result out of doubt, Arroyo only added one minute to the second half. Neither team did anything in added time and Chicago ended the game with a 5-1 win.
Chicago dominated this game in every possible way. They had more shots (24-18), shots on target (12-4), crosses (6-2), and corner kicks (10-4), and better passing accuracy (89.3%-88.9%).
The loss sees OCB settle into fifth place in MLS NEXT Proâs Eastern Conference. The Young Lions are only two points out of second but are only one of two teams to play eight games so far this season. Most of the teams around them have two games in hand.
The Young Lions have an extended break to shake this one off. Theyâll return to action on May 17 when they host Inter Miami II in Kissimmee.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. New York Red Bulls II: Final Score 4-2 as OCB Drops First Home Game of 2025
OCB’s slow start was critical in the team’s 4-2 loss to New York Red Bulls II.
Orlando City B (7-3-3, 11 points) lost at home for the first time this season, falling 4-2 to New York Red Bulls II (6-4-1, 13 points) at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. The visitors were by far the better first-half team. Tanner Rosborough gave them the lead in the 19th minute and Aiden Jarvis made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. Jhon Solis cut the deficit in half in the 39th minute, before Nehuen Benedetti made it 3-1 at halftime. Justin Ellis and Ibrahim Kasule traded goals in the second half, resulting in the 4-2 final score.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made four changes to the team that lost 3-2 to Inter Miami II in Bradenton on April 15. Several players re-entered the starting lineup after missing the Miami game as they were busy winning the Generation Adidas Cup with the Orlando City U-18 team. Javier Otero, Jackson Platts, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Ellis started this game in place of Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Hayden Sargis, Juan Quevedo, and Dyson Clapier.
The back line in front of Otero in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Platts, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Riyon Tori and Guske were the defensive midfielders behind Caraballo, Solis, and Shak Mohammed with Ellis up top.
The first half doomed OCB in this game. Red Bulls II dominated the first 45 minutes from the start, creating chance after chance while the Young Lions struggled with the visitorsâ high press. OCB got back into the game with Ellisâ goal and had several good chances to equalize, but ultimately failed to find a third. Kasuleâs penalty in second-half stoppage time put the game away.
The first decent chance of the game came in the third minute when Caraballo took possession and quickly gave it up in his own third of the field. Red Bulls II worked the ball out left where Matthew Dos Santos sent a low cross into the box. Multiple teammates were making runs, but the Young Lions were able to clear it away.
In the eighth minute, Steven Sserwadda sent a low cross into the box from the right. Taifi and Williams got sucked towards the ball, leaving Rafael Mosquera on his own. Fortunately, Otero came off his line to grab the ball before it reached Mosquera .
In the 12th minute, a Mohammed pass for Solis was intercepted by Red Bulls II. Mosquera beat Platts to the end line and sent a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box. He had a couple of teammates making runs, but it was cleared away and the Young Lions again narrowly avoided conceding the gameâs first goal.
OCB finally got its first chance in the 13th minute when Mohammed made a long run before cutting inside and shooting from outside the box. However, he wasnât able to get over the ball, sending it well over the goal.
The visitors took a deserved lead in the 19th minute. Kasule received a ball near the top of the box and found Rosborough making a run. The midfielder played his pass between Reid-Brown and Williams, putting Rosborough in on goal. The attacker slipped it past Otero to give Red Bulls II a 1-0 lead.
It didnât take long for New York to strike again, doubling its lead in the 23rd minute. Jarvis received a short pass back and fired from long range. Otero appeared to have the shot covered, but it took a deflection on the way to the goal, changing directions and going past the OCB goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Red Bulls II nearly had a chance for a third in the 24th minute when Kasule tried to play Mosquera through. It looked like Mosquera had a step on Reid-Brown, but the left back was able to get on the inside of the attacker and guide it to Otero.
In the 25th minute, Caraballo played a ball over the top for Ellis. The striker controlled it well, but a high bounce gave the defenders time to get back. Ellis didnât end up getting a shot off and Red Bulls II cleared the danger without forcing goalkeeper Aidan Stokes to move.
Ellis played Taifi down the middle of the field and towards the top of the New York box in the 38th minute, but the right back was pulled down by Dos Santos, resulting in a yellow card for the Red Bulls II midfielder.
Solis and Taifi stood over the ball, with Solis taking the set piece. The midfielder went for goal, sending the shot beyond the outstretched dive of Stokes to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Young Lions continued to push in an attempt to equalize before halftime, but it was the visitors that scored the goal. Benedetti took a shot from outside the box that was blocked by Williams. Unfortunately, the ball went right back to Benedetti, who dribbled past Platts and sent a low, hard shot past Otero to give his team a 3-1 lead.
The last chance of the half came in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Brooklyn Schwarz shot from the top corner of the OCB box. It sailed well high and wide of the target and the half ended with Red Bulls II leading 3-1.
It was a dominant half by the visitors. At the break, Red Bulls II had more possession (54.2%-45.8%), shots (10-2), shots on target (4-1), crosses (2-0), and corner kicks (3-0). The only advantage OCB had was its passing accuracy (85.1%-84.7%), but most of it was in non-threatening areas.
Red Bulls II almost got the second half off to the best possible start. Inside the first minute, Rosborough sent Mosquera behind the OCB back line. As he entered the box, Mosquera dribbled the ball off his heel. However, he created enough space for a shot, sending the attempt into the outside of the net.
The Young Lions responded quickly on the other end, creating their first chance of the second half. Ellis made a good run into the box from the left, finding Taifi on the far side. The right backâs first touch was a shot that traveled wide of the far post.
A curling ball into the box in the 49th minute was brought down by Kasule making a run to the far post. The midfielder got a shot off inside the six, but Williams was there to block it.
Ellis played a wonderful ball forward for Mohammed in the 52nd minute. The forward was in on goal as Stokes came off his line. He attempted to send a low shot around the goalkeeper, but Stokes did well to get his foot to the ball, keeping the game at 3-1.
It looked like Red Bulls II would make it four a few seconds later when Benedetti played the ball forward for Rosborough, who got behind Reid-Brown. Otero made a good- one-handed save on the attacker, but it went right back to him. Rosborough took another shot and this was blocked on the line by Platts. This time the ball went to Mosquera, who sent his shot off the crossbar. Somehow, OCB was able to escape without giving up a goal.
OCB got a goal back in the 61st minute when Stokes received a pass back. Taifi put pressure on the goalkeeper, resulting in a giveaway to Ellis with no defenders back. It was an easy finish by Ellis, putting it around Stokes and making it a 3-2 game.
In the 65th minute, Juan Gutierrez and Taifi collided on a 50-50 header. The referee showed Gutierrez a yellow for the foul near the top of the New York box as both players stayed down. Once they got up, OCB had a great chance from a similar distance where Solis scored earlier in the game.
Solisâ set piece was into the wall, but the ball went straight to Mohammed. The forward sent a second attempt towards the corner, hitting the post.
A minute later, Ellis found Platts making a run into the box and behind the Red Bulls II back line. The center back got a shot off, but Stokes did well to come out and block the attempt out of play for a corner kick.
The ensuing set piece by Caraballo was heeded by Platts to the post, where Williams was all alone. All the center back had to do was tap it in for the equalizer, but he somehow managed to fail to get enough contact on the ball and the Young Lions remained down a goal.
OCB had a nearly disastrous miscommunication in the 72nd minute, when Mohammed took possession of the ball near the top of the OCB box. He played it between Williams, Platts, and Otero, with all three thinking one of the others was going to take it. Meanwhile, an attacker ran in to get a shot on goal, but Platts cleared it away first.
In the 74th minute, Benedetti played Kasule near the top of the OCB box and the midfielder did well to beat his defender, sending Benedetti forward. The attacker was pressured by Reid-Brown, resulting in the shot going high and wide of the near post.
Williams got beat by Andy Rojas in the 80th minute, giving Red Bulls II a chance in the OCB third. Before the set piece could be taken, OCB made two changes. Clapier and Dylan Judelson came on for Caraballo and Guske. Benedetti went for goal on the ensuing free kick, sending the attempt off target.
Red Bulls II had a chance in the 89th minute when Kasule received a pass near the top of the six-yard box. He tried to turn and put a shot on goal, but Clapier cleared it before Kasule could get his foot to the ball.
Rojas split a pair of defenders in the 90th minute, making his way into the box. Nobody else closed him down, so the second-half substitute took a shot at goal. However, he was unable to get over the ball, sending it high and wide of the target.
Red Bulls II put the game away in stoppage time when Platts committed a foul in the box. Williams had a chance to clear the ball, but Kasule tapped it around the center back before playing Rojas on the far side. Platts was beaten and tripped Rojas as he got in on goal. Referee Alexandra Billeter immediately pointed to the spot, awarding the visitors a penalty.
Kasule stepped up to take the spot kick, sending Otero the wrong way to extend the lead and put the game away.
As the game entered the eight minute of stoppage time, Williams sent a long ball into the box for Clapier. The ball was behind the substitute, who tried to turn and attempt a bicycle kick. He made contact with the ball, but sent it wide. That was the last chance for either team as the Young Lions fell 4-2.
At full time, Red Bulls II had more shots (21-13), shots on target (8-4), and crosses (4-3). OCB had better passing accuracy (85.8%-82.8%) and both teams ended the game with four corner kicks.
âI think it was clear,â Goldberg said about the game. âWe speculated the first half and then had to push the second half with a negative result and all this stuff.â
The team was on the back foot for most of the first half but was much better in the second. After being outshot 10-2 in the first 45 minutes, the Young Lions matched New York with 11 shots in the second period of play.
âThatâs what we expected,â Goldberg said about his teamâs second-half attack. âBut since the beginning. Not in the second half.â
The loss is OCBâs first at Osceola County Stadium this season, having gone 2-0-1 in the first three home games. Since the Young Lions won the penalty shootout against Atlanta on March 16, they had taken eight of a possible nine points at home prior to tonightâs game.
The loss sees the Young Lions drop to fifth in the Eastern Conference. Theyâre only two points behind Red Bulls II, Huntsville City FC, and New England Revolution II for second but have played one more game.
Itâll be a short week for the Young Lions as they head out on the road next weekend with the first team. Theyâll face Chicago Fire FC II on Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL.
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 wasnât 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 didnât play in this game because theyâre representing the clubâs 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 couldnât 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 shouldâve 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 wasnât 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 mightâve 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 didnât 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 didnât 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. Taifiâs 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 backâs 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 wasnât 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 OCBâs 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 shouldâve had a chance to equalize. Taifiâs cross resulted in contact in the box. Mohammed came flying in with a high foot and was called for the foul. OCBâs 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 wouldâve 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. Theyâre 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. Itâll be a crucial game against Red Bulls II on April 27 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.
Pride Opponents Reducing Barbra Banda’s Available Space in 2025
Orlando City vs New England: Three Keys to Victory
Lion Links: 5/8/25
-
Orlando Pride2 weeks agoOrlando Pride vs. Angel City FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando Pride6 days agoOrlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando City6 days agoOrlando City vs. Chicago Fire: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando City2 weeks agoOrlando City vs. Atlanta United: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
-
Orlando City2 weeks agoOrlando City vs. Atlanta United: Three Keys to Victory
-
Orlando City5 days agoOrlando City vs. Chicago Fire: Final Score 0-0 as Lions Waste Points vs. 10-Man Fire
-
Orlando City B6 days agoOrlando City B vs. Chicago Fire FC II: Final Score 5-1 as Chicago Scores Five Unanswered
-
Orlando City2 weeks agoOrlando City vs. Atlanta United: Final Score 3-0 as Lions Rout Rival Five Stripes