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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Toronto FC II: Final Score 2-1 as OCB Drops First True Home Game of 2024

Toronto FC II scored two goals off rebounds as OCB drops its first game at Osceola County Stadium this season.

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1 year ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (2-2-2, 9 points) fell 2-1 to Toronto FC II (2-2-1, 7 points) in the Young Lions’ first game at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee this season. While Wilfredo Rivera netted OCB’s lone goal of the game, Toronto scored twice when Charlie Sharp and Jesus Batiz reacted quicker than the Young Lions defense, putting in rebounds.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made one change to the team that beat Crown Legacy FC 2-0 away on April 19, as Nabi Kibunguchy returned to the starting lineup in place of Abdi Salim. The back four in front of Javier Otero were Manuel Cocca, Thomas Williams, Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Imanol Alamguer and Colin Guske made up the defensive midfield behind Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Rivera with Shak Mohammed up top.

The home side was the better team throughout much of the game, but its inability to get shots on frame had a major impact on the result. The Young Lions missed the target on all five first-half chances and only put two on target in the second half. The other significant impact on the game was the team’s late reactions to rebounds after Otero saves. Both Toronto goals came from blocked shots where defensive players were caught flat-footed, enabling the visitors to score.

The first chance of the game for the Young Lions came in the sixth minute when Almaguer chipped the ball over the Toronto defense for Tsukada running behind. The rookie got his foot to the ball with a soft shot towards goal, but Antony Curic got in front and blocked the attempt.

The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute. Sharp cut inside to enter the box before dropping the ball back to Markus Cimermancic, who shot on goal. Otero did well to get down and block the attempt, but Sharp reacted quicker than Guske, getting to it first. The forward touched the rebound into the far corner to give Toronto a 1-0 lead.

In the 15th minute, Cocca sent a cross into the Toronto box from the left. It got through multiple players before Freeman and Batiz slid in trying to win the ball. They collided at the top of the six, enabling Toronto goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario to jump on it.

Rivera took OCB’s second shot in the 17th minute after receiving the ball from Freeman. The attacker attempted an ambitious and ill-advised shot from long distance with Batiz right in front of him. The Toronto midfielder blocked the attempt with ease and ended the threat.

Toronto had another opportunity in the 28th minute when Guske went down from a challenge by Sharp while receiving a pass from Kibunguchy. The ball rolled to Charlie Stanland, who sent it forward for Sharp. Looking for his second goal of the game, Sharp took a long-distance shot past Williams that forced Otero to make a diving block.

The Young Lions were given a good opportunity in the 31st minute when Stanland went up and over Tsukada for a high bouncing ball. Referee Brad Jensen blew for a foul, giving OCB a free kick about 30 yards out and directly in front of goal. Tsukada and Rivera stood over the ball, with Tsukada taking the set piece. It was a dipping shot, but it went just over the crossbar.

In the 37th minute, Solis found Almaguer near the penalty spot. Facing the sideline, Almaguer turned in an attempt to get over the ball and send it on goal. Unfortunately, he was unable to put it on target, sending the shot well over the target.

Cocca’s cross in the 41st minute was blocked out of play by Curic, giving OCB the first corner kick of the game. The ensuing set piece by Cocca was to the near post, where Freeman beat Ythallo and got a soft touch towards goal. It was behind De Rosario, but Adam Pearlman was there to clear it away.

At halftime, OCB had the advantage in shots (5-4), corners (1-0), crosses (5-1), and passing accuracy (87.3%-79.4%). But while Toronto was able to put three attempts on target, OCB didn’t have any on frame, and the visitors scored the lone goal in the first 45 minutes.

OCB came out of halftime flying, in search of an equalizer. In the 48th minute, Tsukada found Rivera to his right. The attacker shot on goal, but it was deflected into the arms of De Rosario. Seconds later, Cocca sent a dangerous cross into the box, looking for Tsukada. It was a little behind the midfielder and he couldn’t control it, enabling Toronto to clear.

In the 49th minute, Tsukada was the one to send a hard cross across the face of goal. However, nobody in purple was making a run into the six-yard box and it was cleared away.

The Young Lions finally converted in the 50th minute, a goal that was well deserved. Cocca’s ball into the box was headed away by Batiz, but only to Rivera nearby. The former first-team Homegrown Player controlled the ball with his thigh before volleying it past De Rosario to even the game at 1-1.

“I don’t know. I just saw it coming out, took a touch with my thigh, and tried to put it in the back of the net,” Rivera said about his goal. “And it worked.”

“I think he’s having a really great personality,” Goldberg said about the goal scorer. “He’s becoming really strong for us and we are happy for him.”

Toronto had its first sustained attack of the half in the 58th minute, when Ythallo’s shot headed towards the far post. Otero did well to dive to his left, tipping the ball out of play for a corner kick.

While the first two set pieces were headed out by Mohammed and Cocca, the third one stayed in play. The ball was headed in and out of the box before Mark Fisher volleyed it towards goal. However, the shot was wide, enabling the Young Lions to end the threat.

Goldberg made his first substitution of the game in the 63rd minute and it was a like-for-like change as Tahir Reid-Brown came into the game for Cocca at left back.

OCB should’ve taken the lead in the 69th minute when Rivera took the ball away from Ythallo, Toronto’s last defender. Rivera dribbled in on De Rosario and shot towards the near post with his left foot, sending the attempt wide. The Toronto goalkeeper had his near post covered, so Rivera probably should’ve opened up and gone for the far post. Regardless, the game remained tied at 1-1.

Toronto went straight down field from the goal kick and created a chance. Batiz lifted the ball across the box to Fisher on the far side. The attacker headed the ball back across goal, but nobody in white could get on the end of it. He had time to control the ball and shoot, but OCB was able to clear instead.

OCB made two more changes in the 77th minute and, again, they were like-for-like changes. Forwards Rivera and Mohammed were replaced by Justin Ellis and Favian Loyola.

One of the two most recent substitutes got involved quickly as Ellis found Tsukada just outside of the box. The midfielder turned and shot on goal, but De Rosario was there to collect it.

In the 83rd minute, Williams fouled Fisher outside of the box, giving Toronto a free kick. Julian Altobelli and Batiz stood over the free kick as OCB set up a two-man wall. Batiz’s shot was blocked by Solis but went right back to him. His second shot was towards the near post, but rolled just wide.

Goldberg made another change in the 87th minute. Tsukada, who was dangerous for much of the game on the left side, was replaced by Yeiler Valencia, who made his OCB debut.

While OCB had been the better team throughout the second half, it was Toronto that found the late goal. In the 89th minute, Andrei Dumtru found Altobelli inside the box. The midfielder cut inside to beat Williams and attempted a curling shot towards the far post. Otero made a diving save, knocking it wide. However, in a play eerily similar to Toronto’s first goal, Batiz beat Freeman to the loose ball and put it into the roof of the net, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Immediately after the goal, Goldberg made his final substitution of the game, replacing Guske with Diego Pareja.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Toronto had a good chance to put the game away through Altobelli on the left. Otero did well to get down and block the first shot, but the ball circulated around and ended up back with Altobelli. He shot a second time towards the far post, but Otero made another good stop to keep it a one-goal game.

OCB quickly sent the ball the other away, looking to create a final chance as the clock ticked past six minutes of stoppage time. But a late foul was the final action and the final whistle secured the Young Lions’ 2-1 loss.

At full time, Toronto had more shots (15-9), shots on target (7-2), and corner kicks (5-1). OCB had the edge in crosses (8-6) and passing accuracy (87.1%-82.2%), but the team’s struggles finishing and poor reaction time to Otero saves cost the Young Lions dearly.

“Unfortunately, we got surprised with an early goal, which is something that we are trying to avoid. So that’s really something to work on, to act more than what we react,” Goldberg said about the game. “But after that, the group reacted really well. That makes us very happy. Of course, we are not comfortable with the result, but there’s still a long way to go for us.”

“I thought we came out pretty slow. Obviously, they got the goal in the first couple minutes, but I think we bounced back pretty well,” Rivera added. “Obviously it was a tough result. Obviously our first game at home as well, so it was a bad one for us.”

OCB remains on a four-game unbeaten run away from home, but is now 0-2-0 in the state of Florida. While the first of those two games was at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, it was considered the team’s first home game of the season.

The Young Lions will head back out on the road, which has been a friendlier environment for them, as they face Chattanooga FC Saturday evening.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Carolina Core FC: Final Score 3-1 as Justin Ellis’ Brace Leads Young Lions to Win

OCB wins first game since June 6 and is unbeaten in three after a home victory over Carolina Core.

Published

5 days ago

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July 13, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Justin Ellis bagged a brace for the second straight game, and Thalles added his first OCB goal, as the Young Lions (7-7-3, 26 points) defeated Carolina Core (3-7-7, 19 points) 3-1 at Osceola County Stadium tonight. Like the last time out, Ellis scored in the run of play in the first half and converted a penalty in the second half. However, this time the OCB defense — led by 11 saves by Carlos Mercado — held its opponents at bay, allowing just one goal and Thalles added a late insurance marker to put the match away.

The Young Lions are now unbeaten in three games (1-0-2), splitting the two post-draw shootouts and earning six points over that span. For the moment, the win moves OCB into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg’s lineup featured Carlos Mercado in goal behind a back line of Zakaria Taifi, Jackson Platts, Thomas Williams, and Tahir Reid-Brown. Riyon Tori and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking midfield line of Bernardo Rhein, Justin Ellis, and first-team winger Nico Rodriguez, with Shak Mohammed up top.

Carolina Core had the brighter start, winning an early free kick, but the Young Lions were able to clear their lines. In the fourth minute, a good ball into the box found Glory Nzingo, who should have done better with his free header, but he instead sent it wide of the right post.

In the eighth minute, Platts had to make a sliding challenge to deny a breakaway for Carolina after a terrible giveaway by Williams.

OCB’s first look at goal came off a corner kick won by Rhein. The set piece delivery was into the box for Reid-Brown, who sent a weak, dribbling header out of play for a goal kick in the 12th minute.

The Young Lions held a lot of possession over the next 10 minutes but didn’t create much, however, holding the ball eventually paid off. Mohammed got to an aerial ball on the left and headed it toward the top of the area. It was right to Carolina Core’s Juan Pablo Rodriguez, qho attempted to head it back to goalkeeper Alex Sutton. However, the defender didn’t get enough on his header and Ellis ran onto it and beat Sutton to make it 1-0.

Carolina Core tried to hit back immediately, bringing the ball forward. Nobody closed down Jacob Evans, who had a go from outside the area, forcing a save from Mercado. The visitors won a free kick near the corner and the Young Lions did enough to deal with the entry ball and the recycle. Carolina kept up the pressure and OCB blocked a couple of shots from the top of the area or just outside.

After the hydration break in the 30th minute, the Young Lions created a couple of chances for Mohammed. In the 32nd minute, the ball found Shak at the top of the area, but the forward took too long to wind up on his shot and got it blocked. In the 34th minute, OCB cleared a Carolina corner kick and Nico Rodriguez blazed down the left wing with the ball. He pulled it back to lose his defender and sent Mohammed in alone on Sutton. The goalkeeper came out and Mohammed opted for a shot, but Sutton made the save. Williams fouled Sutton on the ensuing corner, ending the attack.

The Core got a couple of late set pieces but overcooked a free kick entry ball and directed a corner cross wide. OCB took its slim lead into the break.

At the half, Carolina had the advantage in shots (8-3) and passing accuracy (85.3%-84.4%). OCB put more shots on target (2-1) and won more corners (3-2). Carolina may have had more attempts at goal, but the visitors didn’t create much danger from them, while OCB’s few opportunities were good ones.

Gustavo Caraballo came on for Nico Rodriguez at halftime. He kicked off to start the second half and OCB quickly created a chance, with Ellis firing a shot from near the top of the area that was blocked. OCB won a corner kick off of the play and nearly paid it off. Carballo’s service found Williams, who got a head to it, redirecting it to the back post. Mohammed ran onto it but once again he could not beat Sutton. OCB was called for a foul after the save, ending the attack.

Carolina Core had the ball pinging around OCB’s defensive penalty area in the 51st but the Young Lions were eventually able to clear. Moments later, OCB doubled the lead.

Rhein did well to send a ball down into the left corner for Mohammed. who was able to fight his way past Derek Cuevas at the end line and get into the box. Cuevas took him down from behind and it was a clear penalty. Ellis stepped up to the spot and stuck his shot just inside the right post. Sutton guessed correctly, but the shot was perfectly placed and the Young Lions led 2-0 in the 54th minute. With his second of the night, Ellis tied Mohammed for the team goal-scoring lead, with seven.

Once again, Carolina responded well to the OCB goal, as the visitors came down the right. Reid-Brown gave up an unnecessary foul on Cuevas to concede a free kick. Carolina sent the ball in and Mercado did well to parry Facundo Canete’s shot off of his post. Reid-Brown blocked the rebound and Carolina had a corner.

On the ensuing corner, Nzingo took a pass and fired wide to the right from the left side. Carolina quickly recovered the ball and Jathan Juarez got into the area from the left, forcing another save from Mercado.

OCB finally got the pressure off and won a corner just after the hour mark. A good ball in from Caraballo found Platts, but he got nothing on his header and it dribbled straight to Sutton.

Carolina Core somehow failed to score from four chances inside the area in the 62nd minute. The ball was pinging around the six-yard box and somehow the ball deflected to Anthony Sumo Jr. in front of goal. Mercado stopped him and then made a second quick save while on the ground. The ball found Nzingo, who fired twice, but Mercado got a piece of both and a defender also helped clear it off the line. Mercado then made another big stop on Nzingo in the 64th minute.

Thalles subbed on for Mohammed in the 66th minute, making his appearance since April 9, when he was injured against New England Revolution II. Moments later, Reid-Brown made two nifty moves to get into the left corner, winning a free kick. The entry ball found Taifi at the far post, but the fullback got under it and sent the shot over the bar. Taifi got free down the right in the 73rd minute but couldn’t beat Sutton, who made the save.

Carolina pulled one back two minutes later. Thalles appeared to get fouled while defending in his own end. OCB kept the ball in play but there was no whistle. Attempting to play out, the ball was sent to Reid-Brown in the box and he too appeared to take contact from a Core player. Again, there was no call, and the ball fell to Joshua Rodriquez, who fired a ball toward the back post that went under the diving Mercado’s outstretched arm and in to make it 2-1 in the 75th minute.

Taifi went with an ambitious left-footed attempt from outside the area in the 77th minute, but he sent a slow bouncer well wide of the right post.

Daniel Chica then forced another Mercado save a minute lateer with a shot from distance when no one closed him down.

Goldberg made two more subs in the 81st minute, sending Favian Loyola and Dyson Clapier on for Ellis and Rhein. Clapier had a rough introduction to the game, as he was quickly dispossessed in his defensive third, before conceding a dangerous free kick with a foul after OCB gave the ball right back. The ensuing free kick was headed high into the air, allowing Mercado to catch it.

OCB restored the two-goal lead in the 84th minute. Platts, who had a terrific game defensively, sent a good ball up the pitch that put Thalles in behind the defense. The Brazilian did well to hold off two defenders and slot a shot past Sutton to make it 3-1 with his first OCB goal. The striker celebrated by taking his shirt off, earning a yellow card.

Carolina Core sent numbers forward looking to close the gap once more. Canete sent a header wide in the 86th minute and Juarez had a shot saved by Mercado a minute later. Mercado denied Canete in the 90th minute as the Core kept coming.

The Young Lions managed the nine minutes of stoppage time well, allowing only a couple of long shots and one in tight off a scramble that went over the bar. The final whistle blew, and OCB had its first win since

With a second-half barrage of shots from all over the attacking third, Carolina Core finished with the advantage in shots (24-13), shots on target (12-8), and passing accuracy (85.8%-81.2%). OCB won more corners (6-5).

The Young Lions will be back on the road a week from today, squaring off at New England Revolution II at 3 p.m.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Crown Legacy FC: Final Score 2-2 as Young Lions Draw Away, Claim Extra Shootout Point

Despite little possession and few chances, OCB pulled out a surprising 2-2 draw and defeated Crown Legacy FC in penalties to claim two points away from home.

Published

2 weeks ago

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July 6, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (6-7-3, 23 points) was dominated for nearly the entire 90 minutes against Crown Legacy FC (3-5-7, 19 points) but managed to pull out a 2-2 draw away from home. Justin Ellis gave the Young Lions the lead before second-half goals by Emmanuel Uchegbu and Andrej Subotic made it 2-1 for the hosts with 25 minutes to go. But a late penalty conversion by Ellis saw OCB get a point.

The Young Lions then defeated the hosts 3-1 on penalties due to heroics in goal by Carlos Mercado, claiming the extra point. Mercado stopped the first three Crown Legacy shooters to help OCB steal a second point on the road.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made three changes from the team that drew 1-1 and lost on penalties to Philadelphia Union II Monday afternoon. Zakaria Taifi, Colin Guske, and Bernardo Rhein entered the lineup for Noham Abdellaoui, Dylan Judelson, and Dyson Clapier. Of those three, only Clapier was on the bench.

The back line in front of Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Jackson Platts, and Taifi. Guske and Riyon Tori were in the defensive midfield behind Rhein, Ellis, and Gustavo Caraballo with Shak Mohammed up top.

This should’ve been an easy win for Crown Legacy, which dominated the majority of the 90 minutes. However, some desperate defending and a poor pass allowed the Young Lions to take a 1-0 lead into the break. It looked like the game was done and dusted when the hosts made it 2-1 in the 64th minute, only for a late penalty to give OCB a lifeline. They did well to hold onto a point and let Mercado carry them to a solid result away from home.

Crown Legacy had the first chance of the game in the fifth miinute when Taifi turned the ball over on the right side of the field. Dylan Sing carried the ball to the end line before playing it across the face of goal. It went right through Mercado’s hands to Subotic. The forward had a wide-open shot, but Reid-Brown blocked it off the line.

Two minutes later, Subotic had another chance in front of goal. The attacker received a low pass from the left through multiple defenders. His first touch was a left-footed shot with plenty of space. However, it was Reid-Brown to the rescue again, sliding in to block the attempt.

A quick give-and-go with Erik Pena in the 14th minute created a chance for Nimfasha Berchimas. The midfielder fired from well outside the OCB box, sending the ball through several defenders and into the arms of Mercado.

Yves Tcheuyap received a pass at the top of the OCB box in the 20th minute, sending his second touch towards goal. The ball rolled through multiple defenders and past Mercado, bouncing off the outside of the post.

Williams passed the ensuing goal kick to Baye Coulibaly for a horrible turnover. The block went directly to Subotic, who dribbled inside before firing from the top of the box. However, the shot was straight to Mercado, who made another save.

Berchimas dribbled along the end line in the 24th minute before trying to beat Mercado to his near post. The OCB goalkeeper blocked the shot but was unable to collect it. However, he jumped on the ball before Sing could reach it. The forward dragged his foot during the attempt, getting a piece of Mercado and picking up the game’s first booking.

Despite the hosts dominating the game, it was the visitors that opened the scoring. In the 30th minute, Tcheuyap threw the ball to Subotic, who played it back to the back line. It was a weak pass that Mohammed intercepted, heading the other way. The forward played it to Caraballo on the right, and the teenager used some nice footwork to create enough space for a cross. His pass was chested in by Justin Ellis, giving the Young Lions a surprising lead.

Immediately after the goal, the referee sent the players to the sideline for a hydration break. Crown Legacy tried to equalize on the restart through Uchegbu in the 33rd minute. The midfielder carried the ball into the box and aimed for the far post. It was past Mercado but traveled just wide.

OCB nearly doubled the lead in the 35th minute when Ellis sent Rhein behind the Crown Legacy back line. The midfielder was in on goal but his shot was tipped wide by Nick Holliday.

The ensuing corner kick into the box found the head of Williams, who redirected it on goal. But Holliday was up to the task again, tipping the ball over the crossbar. The second corner was cleared, ending the threat.

In the 39th minute, Subotic was sent into the box and behind the OCB back line. However, Mercado did well to come out and block the shot with his left leg.

The Young Lions quickly broke the other way, playing Taifi down the right. The right back sent the ball towards goal, but it traveled well wide of the target.

Berchimas took another shot in the 44th minute, again trying to beat Mercado from outside the box. The OCB goalkeeper dove to his right, pushing the ball wide.

Crown Legacy regained possession and created another chance seconds later. This time it was Subotic shooting from long distance. Mercado made an almost identical save, diving again to his right and pushing the ball away.

It was a dominant first half by Crown Legacy, which finished with the advantage in shots (14-5), shots on target (5-3), crosses (4-0), corner kicks (3-2), and passing accuracy (90.9%-79.9%). But the Young Lions took advantage of a bad pass and carried a 1-0 lead into the locker room.

The second half got off to an inauspicious start for the Young Lions as Tori’s cleat broke, forcing him to change and leaving OCB with 10 men. Crown Legacy took advantage of the extra man, converting in the 49th minute.

Subotic tried to play through the OCB back line before Williams knocked the ball off of his foot. Unfortunately, it went straight to Uchegbu, who beat Mercado to his far post, evening the game at 1-1.

The Young Lions got their first second-half chance in the 59th minute when they played the ball around the outside of the Crown Legacy box, giving Mohammed a shot from the top of the 18. The striker slid to get his shot off, but it wasn’t very strong and was easily cleared away.

It was near disaster for Crown Legacy in the 62nd minute when Adrian Mendoza tried to clear the ball seconds after coming on. It went towards his own goal and, with Holliday diving towards the post, was just wide.

The hosts finally took their first lead of the night in the 64th minute. Coulibaly found Subotic outside the OCB and box and the Serbian shot from distance. After having multiple attempts blocked and missing the target in the first half, this rocket went past a diving Mercado and in to give Crown Legacy a 2-1 lead.

Goldberg made his first change of the game in the 71st minute as Favian Loyola came on for Caraballo.

The hosts tried to make it three in the 75th minute when Berchimas and Subotic played a nice give-and-go, resulting in Berchimas getting a shot off. But Williams did well to slide in and block it. The rebound went to Uchegbu, who took a shot of his own, and this time it was Reid-Brown getting in the way of the second attempt.

A ball into the box was deflected in the 77th minute, going right to Ellis. The attacker tried to shoot, but he couldn’t get much on it.

The Young Lions kept possession, resulting in Guske getting the ball in the Crown Legacy box. Coulibaly took it off Guske, but the defensive midfielder immediately challenged him. Taifi took possession, and Coulibaly made a clumsy challenge with Taifi’s back to the goal. The OCB right back went down, and the referee pointed to the spot, awarding the Young Lions a penalty.

After scoring in the first half, Ellis stepped to the spot looking for a brace. The young forward sent Holliday the wrong way, passing the ball in to level the game at 2-2.

Goldberg made his second substitution in the 82nd minute, replacing Rhein with Clapier.

The hosts nearly retook the lead in the 83rd minute when Berchimas created space near the top left corner of the box and tried to curl it around Mercado. The ball looked to be on target, but the OCB goalkeeper got his fingers to the ball, tipping it around the post.

Before Crown Legacy could take the corner kick, Ellis went down with a cramp. It forced Goldberg to make his final change, replacing Ellis with Justin Hylton.

OCB cleared the set piece and avoided any further danger from the attack.

The fourth official showed five minutes of stoppage time. The only chance in that period came in the fourth minute from an OCB free kick. Loyola’s set piece into the box found the head of Williams, but the attempt went wide.

At full time, Crown Legacy had the advantage in shots (24-9), shots on target (9-4), crosses (8-4), corner kicks (9-5), and passing accuracy (91.5%-76.8%). It should’ve been an easy win for the hosts, but the late penalty allowed the Young Lions to come away with a draw.

As per MLS NEXT Pro rules, the game went into a penalty shootout to see who would get the extra point.

Penalties belonged to Mercado, who was excellent in goal. While Loyola and Mohammed put their attempts away, Mercado saved the first three attempts by Sing, Brian Romero, and Berchimas. Reid-Brown could’ve ended it, but the left back sent his attempt well over the crossbar. Then Mendoza scored to keep his team alive.

Up 3-1, Clapier stepped up with a chance to end the game. Holliday guessed correctly, but the second-half substitute put his penalty into the corner, securing the extra point for OCB.

It’s a big two points for the Young Lions, who are trying to stay in a playoff position. They currently sit in seventh, just one point ahead of NYCFC II for eighth and two points ahead of Toronto FC II for ninth. This result keeps them in a playoff spot after 16 games.

OCB will now have a full week off before returning home following this two-game road trip. The Young Lions will welcome Carolina Core FC to Osceola County Stadium next Sunday night at 7 p.m.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Toronto FC II: Final Score 2-1 as Defensive Mistakes Doom Young Lions

Two defensive mistakes deep in their own half saw OCB fall 2-1 at home to Toronto FC II.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

June 25, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Orlando City B (6-6-2, 21 points) fell 2-1 tonight to Toronto FC II (5-5-4, 19 points) at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Hassan Ayari gave the visitors the lead in the fourth minute before Noham Abdellaoui equalized just before halftime. But a second-half mistake by center back Hayden Sargis allowed Antone Bossenberry to score the winning goal.

Since the first team was playing tonight as well, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg was forced into some changes. Abellaoui, Dylan Judelson, and Jhon Solis entered the starting lineup for Zakaria Taifi, Thomas Williams, and Diego Pareja.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Abdellaoui, Sargis, and Riyon Tori. Judelson and Solis were the defensive midfielders behind Dyson Clapier, Favian Loyola, and Bernardo Rhein with Shak Mohammed up top.

It was a hot night in Kissimmee and the game showed it. Neither team threatened much, despite three goals being scored. Toronto came out of halftime the more aggressive team, creating multiple chances. However, it was a slip by Sargis at the top of his own six-yard box in the 79th minute that resulted in the game-winning goal for the visitors.

The Young Lions got the first opportunity in the opposing box when Mohammed was tripped on the left by Constantinos Iliadis. Rhein took the set piece, sending a curling ball into the box. Abdellaoui got his head to the ball, but the center back couldn’t get over the attempt, sending it high and wide.

Toronto got its first chance in the third minute and made the most of it. Ayari miscontrolled a pass to the top of the OCB box, allowing Clapier to take possession. The Young Lions tried to work the ball out of the back instead of clearing it, resulting in Solis giving up possession at the top of his own box.

The ball was played to Nathaniel Edwards, who quickly sent Ayari behind the OCB back line. Mercado came out to challenge the attacker, but Ayari tapped it behind the goalkeeper to give the visitors the early 1-0 lead.

OCB got its second chance in the ninth minute when Tori’s ball into the box was cleared away. Clapier took possession and played a quick give-and-go with Loyola before shooting from the top right corner of the box. However, his attempt sailed over the crossbar.

A weak OCB clearance in the 10th minute gave Toronto a chance to double the lead. Nobody stepped up to challenge Lucas Olguin, so the midfielder dribbled into the box. He had enough space for a shot, but Abdellaoui was able to block the attempt.

The Young Lions nearly had a chance in the 20th minute when Mohammed played Loyola behind the back line. However, before the attacker could reach it, Toronto goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario jumped off his line to collect the ball.

It looked like the Reds might double their advantage in the 30th minute when Edwards was played long and behind the OCB back line. As he chased the ball, Mercado came out of his box, beating the attacker to the ball and clearing it away.

OCB found the equalizer from a set piece in the 40th minute. Loyola made a strong run into the Toronto third of the field before being fouled by Olguin. Solis took the free kick, sending a curling ball into the box. Abdellaoui was making a back-post run and got on the end of the ball to even the game at 1-1.

You’d expect the 6-foot-4 center back to score his first OCB goal from a header, but it was a nice volley with his left foot that opened his account.

“I’m always happy to score one goal. The goal was important for me because it was my first goal for OCB, Orlando City,” Abdellaoui said about his goal. “I’m proud, but I think for the team, I’m not happy that I can be happy because we lose and my goal doesn’t count. So I’m not really happy, but it’s always good to score goals.”

“It’s great. It’s great that all the players that need to be ready are ready to perform,” Goldberg added about Abdellaoui’s goal. “And even more when they contribute, so it’s great.”

The Young Lions looked to take the lead in the 43rd minute when Solis made a long run down the right. He cut the ball back for Mohammed near the top of the box, who tried to turn a shot on goal. However, he was unable to do so, sending the ball high and wide as he fell to the ground.

Iliadis received the ball in a seemingly innocuous spot in the 45th minute, far from the goal. After taking a touch forward and noticing nobody was closing him down, the midfielder fired from long distance. However, it didn’t cause any trouble for Mercado, going well wide of the target.

Mohammed made a run along the right edge of the box in the third minute of first-half stoppage time before playing it central for a wide open Clapier. The midfielder’s second touch was a shot, but Mark Fisher slid in to block it. Mohammed regained possession and won one last corner kick.

Solis’ ensuing set piece went straight to Sargis, who tried to volley the ball on target. But the center back couldn’t make solid contact, and the first half ended tied 1-1.

After 45 minutes, OCB had more shots (6-3), but both teams only put one on target. The Young Lions also had more crosses (2-0) and corner kicks (2-1), and better passing accuracy (90.5%-87.1%).

Marko Stojadinovic tried to regain the lead for Toronto in the 47th minute. The right back received the ball outside the box and found space between Solis and Rhein. Striking the ball with his left foot, he was able to keep it down, barely sending it over the crossbar.

The visitors had another good chance in the 50th minute when Ayari spun to lose Tori and played it back for Jahmarie Nolan before reaching the end line. The forward’s first touch was a strike on goal, but Sargis got in the way to block the attempt.

Pressure by Loyola on Stojadinovic in the 52nd minute created the first second-half chance for OCB. The attacker tried to play Mohammed through, but it was blocked out to Rhein. The teenager lifted the ball toward the back post, where Clapier was making a run. Clapier tried to volley the ball on goal, but couldn’t get much on it.

Nolan split a pair of defenders in the 55th minute to reach the top of the OCB box. However, Sargis stepped up to block his shot. The ball went straight to Ayari, who took a shot of his own. But this one was right at Mercado, who ended the attack.

OCB nearly created a chance in the 61st minute when Sargis played a beautiful long ball for Clapier in the box. The attacker brought it down well, laying it off for Loyola. Meanwhile, Tori was making a run down the right and Loyola sent the ball forward for him. Tori sent a cross into the box, but it was too close to De Rosario, who collected the ball and ended the threat.

In the 65th minute, Ayari used some nifty footwork to get into the OCB box and shoot. However, Judelson turned his back to the shot and the ball bounced off his legs. Toronto kept possession but couldn’t create any more shots during the attack.

Once the ball was sent out of play, Goldberg made his first change of the game, replacing Clapier with Justin Hylton.

Solis carried the ball to the top of the Toronto box in the 72nd minute before being tripped by Reid Fisher. The midielder was the only player in purple standing over the set piece and it was clear Solis was going for goal. The midfielder tried to beat De Rosario to his near post, but the shot was just over the top.

On the other end, Stojadinvoic took another attempt from outside the box. There was a clear path to the goal, but his shot was right at Mercado.

The Young Lions had a goal kick coming out of the second-half hydration break and immediately conceded their second goal of the night. Sargis played the ball short to Mercado, who sent it right back. But, as Sargis looked to play it wide for Reid-Brown, the center back slipped and fell over.

Josh Nugent took possession and sent a ball into the box. Abdellaoui’s clearance was short, allowing Bossenberry to bring it down with his chest and tuck it inside the far post to give Toronto the 2-1 lead.

Goldberg made his second change in the 84th minute. Jackson Platts came into the game for Rhein. Usually a center back, Platts moved into a defensive midfield role, and Solis pushed into the attacking midfield.

With a one-goal lead, Toronto sat back in the dying minutes. However, the Reds nearly broke out in the 87th minute. Stojadinovic played Iliadis into the OCB third. It was a foot race between Iliadis and Mercado, with the OCB goalkeeper getting there first to clear it.

The Young Lions looked to find their second equalizer in the 88th minute. Loyola lost the ball near the top of the Toronto box, but Hylton won it back off the foot of Olguin. He tapped it forward for Tori, who laid it back for Loyola. The Homegrown forward shot, but the attmept was blocked out for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece found the head of Abdellaoui, but the center back sent it wide of the far post.

Goldberg made his final change of the game in the 89th minute, replacing Judelson with Zinedine Rodriguez.

In the 90th minute, Stojadinovic tried to catch Mercado off his line from his own half. The ball rolled harmlessly wide of the goal, but Mercado had gotten back anyway and would’ve made the stop.

The fourth official showed four minutes of stoppage time and OCB tried desperately to find a second goal. In the third minute, Loyola made a run into the Toronto box. The forward went down after some contact with Timothy Fortier, but the contact was minimal and the referee allowed play to continue.

That was as close as the Young Lions got in the final minutes as they fell 2-1.

At full time, Toronto had more shots (12-11) and shots on target (4-2). OCB had more corner kicks (3-1) and better passing accuracy (89.9%-87.8%). Both teams had four crosses on the night.

“As we know about this league, on defense on isolated plays, unfortauntely, can cost you the match,” Goldberg said about the game. “We had good intentions, we had good moments in the game, and we couldn’t get the result.”

It was the second consecutive loss for OCB after falling 1-0 to Carolina Core FC on June 11. More importantly, the Young Lions looked lifeless offensively in both games, a bad sign as the season continues, although several of the top offensive players were with the first team in St. Louis, including Gustavo Caraballo and Justin Ellis.

The Young Lions remain in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, tied with NYCFC II and two points behind Huntsville City FC. They’re only one point ahead of Chicago Fire II and New England Revolution II for the final playoff spot.

OCB won’t have much time to dwell on this performance as the Young Lions have a huge game Monday afternoon against Philadelphia Union II in Chester, PA.

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