Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Carolina Core FC: Final Score 2-1 as OCB Ends Eight-Game Winless Streak

OCB ended its eight-game winless streak with a road win over Carolina Core FC despite being down a man for a long stretch.

Published

7 months ago

August 3, 2024

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (5-6-8, 27 points) took a two-goal lead in the first half and played down a man for much of the second half, but the Young Lions still managed to beat Carolina Core FC (5-9-4, 22 points) 2-1 in High Point, NC. Both of OCB’s first-half goals, scored by Jackson Platts and Shak Mohammed, came from counterattacks. Substitute David Polanco got one back for the hosts in the 78th minute, but it wasn’t enough as the Young Lions took all three points.

The win ends an eight-game winless streak (0-3-5) that dates back to OCB’s 5-0 win over Huntsville City FC on May 26 in Kissimmee. It also prevented the Young Lions from equaling their all-time longest winless streak of nine games, set in 2019 when they played in USL League One.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made four changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Chattanooga FC on July 27. Platts, Tahir Reid-Brown, Favian Loyola, and Mohammed started after coming off the bench last game, replacingAlex Freeman, Colin Guske, Yutaro Tsukada, and Jack Lynn. None of the four being replaced were in the team tonight.

The back four in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado were Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Platts. Imanol Almaguer and Wilfredo Rivera were in the defensive midfield behind Luca Petrasso, Jhon Solis, and Loyola with Mohammed up top.

Carolina dominated this game territorially from the outset as OCB sat back and absorbed the pressure. The Young Lions hit the hosts on counterattacks, resulting in both of their goals. OCB found it relatively easy to control the opposition, but the task was made more challenging just before halftime when a poor decision by Loyola got him sent off. Despite being down a man, OCB held on strong and withstood attack after attack. A second yellow card to Derek Cuevas made the numbers even again and seeing out the win a little easier as OCB ended its eight-game winless streak.

The first shot of the game came in the fifth minute when Core captain Jacob Evans received the ball in the box. He played it to his left for Jathan Juarez, getting it right back when Juarez was covered. Taking a couple of touches to his right, Evans shot. Williams did well to get down to block the attempt, enabling OCB to clear.

The first chance to shoot for the Young Lions came in the 11th minute when Rivera received the ball well outside the box. Only two defenders were near the midfielder, so Rivera had space to create a shot from distance. He has scored from there before, but Juarez got in front to block the attempt out for a throw-in.

OCB had a good chance in the 15th minute when Rivera played the ball wide for Petrasso. Mohammed was making a near-post run, so Petrasso played the ball into the six. Mohammed had a step on his defender, but Core goalkeeper Alex Sutton came out strong. While Mohammed went down from the challenge, Sutton got to the ball first.

The hosts quickly went to the other end, looking to build up an attack. However, Facundo Canete unwisely decided to shoot from long distance, sending the ball well over the goal and into the stands.

OCB took the lead in the 22nd minute when a great long ball by Rivera found Petrasso sprinting down the left wing. The defenders and Sutton closed down Petrasso, who had space to enter the box, so he played the ball square, where Platts was making a run to the back post. It was an easy tap-in for the rookie for his first professional goal.

Petrasso serves it up on a plate for Platts 🍽️

1-0 @OrlandoCityB pic.twitter.com/Xu8OlFIhqy
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 4, 2024

Santiago Cambindo surprised everyone in the 27th minute when he received the ball 35 yards away from the goal. Despite the distance, the midfielder sent a scorching shot on target, forcing Mercado to punch the ball away because of its pace. The ball was sent back into the box, but Mercado was there to grab it and end the attack.

The 40th minute saw a flurry of activity, starting with an attack by the hosts. Jonathan Bazaes sent a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, but Platts cleared it away. OCB quickly went the other way with Loyola receiving the ball in the Carolina box. The attacker dribbled to his left while looking for space to shoot, eventually doing so. However, it was deflected into the arms of Sutton.

The hosts created their own counterattack from the catch. Evans appeared to initially be looking to send the ball into the box, but he shot from long distance instead. Fortunately, his shot was well over the goal.

Reid-Brown knocked the ball out of play in the 43rd minute, giving Carolina a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was headed towards the back post by Kai Thomas, and two Carolina players were there to redirect it on goal. However, Mercado did well to come out strong and punch the ball away.

The Young Lions doubled their lead in the 45th minute with an impressive counterattack. Rivera won possession just outside the OCB box and sent it forward for Loyola. After a few touches, Loyola played Mohammed behind the Carolina back line. The forward, who was injured in the 25th minute but ultimately stayed in the game, struck the ball with his first touch over the left shoulder of Sutton to make it 2-0.

.@OrlandoCityB hits em' on the counter and Mohammed makes it 2-0 💥 pic.twitter.com/Y1ZL9D7T9v
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 4, 2024

The first half was going well for the visitors, but a confrontation made things much more difficult in first-half stoppage time. Loyola slid in to win the ball from Cambindo and the Carolina midfielder stomped on Loyola’s leg while he was down. The OCB attacker didn’t appreciate the move, getting up angry. Loyola immediately approached Canete, who was behind him, and headbutted the Carolina midfielder. Canete went down and referee Stearne Briem immediately pulled out the red card, sending Loyola off and limiting the Young Lions to 10 men.

Mercado punched away the ensuing free kick by Evans, and the halftime whistle blew with OCB leading 2-0.

After 45 minutes of action, Carolina had more shots (8-4), shots on target (4-3), and crosses (7-1) and better passing accuracy (88.8%-83.3%). Both teams won two corner kicks. The difference in the game was the counterattacking of the Young Lions that resulted in both goals.

Carolina took advantage of its manpower advantage and got the second half off to an attacking start, creating the first chance in the 48th minute. It started when Platts blocked a cross out of play for a corner kick. The short corner to Evans was sent into the box where Williams headed it out. Unfortunately, it didn’t travel far, landing at the feet of Cuevas in the box. The halftime substitute struggled to control it, laying it back for Angel Aguas. The defender’s second touch was a shot right at Mercado, who made the easy catch.

In the 53rd minute, Carolina played a throw-in in OCB’s third across the field, resulting in a long cross for Cuevas, who headed the ball down for Canete. The midfielder made a nice turn to create space and attempted to curl the ball inside the far post, but he didn’t get around it enough, sending the ball out of play.

In the 64th minute, Cuevas sent a dangerous ball into the OCB box for Canete, who made a diagonal run. The Carolina midfielder was first to the ball and attempted to flick it past Mercado, but he couldn’t get much on it, enabling Mercado to collect it.

Goldberg made OCB’s first change of the game in the 65th minute, replacing Reid-Brown with Justin Ellis. Replacing a defender with a forward forced Petrasso to move back into a more defensive role.

The Young Lions nearly got a third goal in the 69th minute when Drake Hadeed, shortly after coming on, turned the ball over to Solis. Mohammed picked up the ball and played Ellis behind the Carolina back line. Despite nobody in front of him other than the goalkeeper, Ellis’ shot was too close to Sutton.

Seconds later, OCB won possession back and Ellis controlled it at the top of the box. The attacker tried to curl it around Sutton, but sent it right to the goalkeeper.

Carolina had a great opportunity to get a goal back in the 70th minute when a long shot by Hadeed forced Mercado to dive to his left and push the ball away. Polanco collected the ball and laid it back for a second shot. The attempt was wide and Mercado dove, requiring treatment to his shoulder for the second time in the game.

OCB had a great chance to score a third in the 77th minute when Mohammed found Ellis just outside the six-yard box. Ellis’ shot was deflected and Mohammed let it go out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece by Almaguer found the head of an open Petrasso. The Canadian attempted to find the corner of the goal, but sent the attempt just wide.

Carolina went the other way and finally found a goal in the 78th minute from a Luis Lugo cross. Polanco and Williams tangled as they entered the six, but it was Polanco who got his head to the ball. The flick was enough to send it past Mercado and into the corner to cut the OCB lead in half.

Polanco pulls one back for @CarolinaCore_FC 👀 pic.twitter.com/v64ufCLDvv
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) August 4, 2024

Carolina went on a counterattack in the 82nd minute, so Almaguer pulled the shirt of Joshua Rodriguez, earning a yellow card. Before the game could restart, Solis and Cuevas began shoving, with both players being booked. While it was the first booking of the game for Solis, Cuevas had received an earlier caution in the 54th minute for committing a foul on Solis. As a result, he was sent off and both teams were down to 10 men.

Rodriguez sent a low cross into the six-yard box in the 85th minute, looking for Cristian Gregoire. The substitute was well defended and unable to turn on the ball, enabling the Young Lions to clear.

Shortly after the chance, OCB made its second change of the game as Solis made way for Bernardo Goncalves.

Carolina continued to have the majority of the possession and kept sending crosses into the box, but they were either too long or out of play. The goal, fracases between the teams, and OCB players taking their time to restart play resulted in six minutes being added to the second half.

In the second minute of injury time, Platts went down with an apparent cramp in the OCB box that required stretching by the trainer. Goldberg made his final change during the stoppage to avoid going down to nine men since field players must leave play for two minutes after receiving treatment. Platts left the game and was replaced by Juan Quevedo.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Polanco tried to find an equalizer with a pair of long-distance shots. He tried to turn and shoot on the first but was unable to get around the ball, sending it wide.

The final attempt of the game was an even longer shot and was closer to the goal. Mercado dove to his right to ensure the ball was going wide, avoiding touching it so Briem would award a goal kick. That was the final touch of the game as the final whistle blew, securing OCB’s 2-1 win.

Carolina ended the game with more shots (22-7), shots on target (9-4), corner kicks (4-3), and crosses (13-3) and better passing accuracy (87.8%-76.3%). But the hosts were unable to find a second goal while up a man, enabling the Young Lions to hold on for the three points.

The win puts OCB in 10th place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference with 27 points. The Young Lions are only one point back of New York Red Bulls II and two back of Inter Miami II and Crown Legacy FC for the final playoff spot with eight games remaining.

Having wrapped up the three-game road trip, the Young Lions will return home on Aug. 11 when they’ll welcome Crown Legacy FC to Kissimmee.

Related Topics:Featured OCB recaps Orlando City B

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Orlando City B

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

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

Published

1 week ago

February 13, 2025

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

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

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

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

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

What It Means for OCB

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

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

Orlando City B

Orlando City Signs Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado to a New Contract

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

Published

3 weeks ago

January 30, 2025

Sean Rollins

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What It Means for Orlando City

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

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

Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Season

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

Published

4 weeks ago

January 27, 2025

Michael Citro

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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