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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.

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1 year ago

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Season

Find out where, when, and who the Young Lions of OCB will play in 2026.

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1 day ago

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January 21, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

The 2026 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was released today, telling us where, when, and who Orlando City B will play in the team’s fifth year in the league. The addition of Connecticut United FC sees the league expand to 30 teams, with 27 MLS reserve sides and three independent clubs.

The schedule remains at 28 games, with Orlando City B playing 14 at home and 14 away. OCB’s home games will once again take place at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.

OCB will start the 2026 season with a pair of home games, facing Huntsville City FC on Monday, March 2, and Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, March 8. The first away game of the season is slated for Saturday, March 14, when the Young Lions face Carolina Core FC in High Point, NC.

The Young Lions will also end the upcoming season with a two-game homestand. They face Toronto FC II on Sunday, Sept. 13, and Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, Sept. 20. All Decision Day games in the Eastern Conference will start at 2 p.m., and the Western Conference game times have yet to be announced.

The Young Lions will compete in the 16-team Eastern Conference as part of the Southeast Division. Connecticut joins the Northeast Division, and Chicago moves to the Southeast Division. As a result, OCB’s division will consist of Atlanta, Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, Chicago, Crown Legacy FC, Huntsville City FC, and Inter Miami II.

Once again, teams will only face those from their own conference, and OCB will play each team in its division three times. The Young Lions will face Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Chicago once at home and twice away. They’ll play Carolina, Crown Legacy, Huntsville, and Miami twice at home and once away.

The longest homestand this year is only two games, scheduled to happen four times, including the opening and closing matches of the season. OCB will spend the majority of July and August on the road with two three-game road trips, separated by an Aug. 19 home game against Huntsville City. 

Unlike MLS and the NWSL, MLS NEXT Pro will play through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That spreads the games out a little more evenly than the other leagues. The busiest month is August, when OCB will play six games. The Young Lions are scheduled to play four games in March, May, June, and July, while only playing three times each in April and September.

Unsurprisingly, the most common day of the week the Young Lions will play is Sunday (18 times). They’ll play six times on Friday, twice on Wednesday, and once each on Monday and Friday. The most common kickoff time is 7 p.m. The Young Lions will play 20 games at that time, twice each at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and once at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.

OCB is scheduled to play six times on the same day as either Orlando City or the Pride. On March 14, the Young Lions travel to Carolina at 3 p.m. while the senior Lions host CF Montreal at 7:30 p.m. They host Miami at 7 p.m. on May 24 — the same time the Pride face San Diego Wave FC in California. On July 18, OCB will face Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m. in Tennessee while the Pride play in Utah at 8:45 p.m. The Young Lions face Connecticut away at 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 while City plays the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. On Aug. 19, OCB hosts Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m., while Orlando City hosts Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Finally, on Aug. 22, the Young Lions will face Atlanta away at 7 p.m. while City hosts Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m.

Orlando City B’s 2026 Schedule

  • Monday, March 2 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 8 — vs Chicago Fire FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 14 — at Carolina Core FC, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 22 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 11 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 19 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 26 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 3 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 10 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 17 — at New England Revolution II, 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 24 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 7 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 21 — vs Philadelphia Union II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 28 — vs Columbus Crew 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 5 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 12 — at FC Cincinnati 2, 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 18 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 26 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 1 — at Connecticut United FC, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 12 — at New York City FC II, 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 16 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 19 — vs Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 22 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 30 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 4 — at Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 13 — vs Toronto FC II, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 20 — vs Atlanta United 2, 2 p.m.
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Orlando City

Four OCB Players Who Could Make MLS Debuts In 2026

Who are the most likely OCB players to make their first team-debuts during the 2026 season?

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3 weeks ago

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January 5, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City has invested significantly in youth development since Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira arrived prior to the 2019 season. After signing just four players in the first five years after the club’s expansion announcement, Orlando City has signed 14 academy products to first-team deals in the last seven years.

While Muzzi departed the club this off-season, Moreira took over the role, so the emphasis developing homegrown talent is unlikely to change.

This past season alone, the club saw Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi make their first-team debuts. Additionally, Tahir Reid-Brown, despite not getting on the field, was on the senior side’s bench for four games.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most likely OCB players to join the first team for the 2026 season.

Tahir Reid-Brown, 19, Defender

The most likely player to make his first team debut in 2026 is 19-year-old fullback Reid-Brown. He’s already on an MLS contract and plays left back, a position currently of need for the Lions. The defender has been with the Young Lions for the last four years, making 56 appearances with 36 starts.

Reid-Brown initially played opposite Alex Freeman on the OCB back line before Freeman made the jump to the MLS squad and was replaced by Taifi, who also ended the 2025 campaign with the first team. 

Adding to the likelihood that Reid-Brown might see playing time is the uncertainty at left back. Adrian Marin is the current projected starting left back, but the Spaniard was less than impressive in his first season with Orlando City. Unless the club signs more depth at that position before the season begins, you can exepct to see Reid-Brown get some MLS playing time before long.

Jackson Platts, 18, Defender

Another player who could see his first team debut in 2026 is center back Jackson Platts. The 18-year-old was a regular OCB starter alongside Thomas Williams in 2024 before being relegated to the bench in 2025. However, the starter alongside Williams last season was Hayden Sargis, who didn’t come from the academy and is currently out of contract.

Like all defensive positions, the Lions have a lack of depth that could provide opportunities for young players. The only center backs are Robin Jansson and David Brekalo, forcing the need for a backup. The club also traded Williams, opening more room.

Platts is also a versatile option. While his natural position is center back, he’s also spent time as an outside back and in the midfield. That versatility could result in him seeing MLS action this year.

Justin Hylton, 18, Forward

The OCB player that took the biggest leap in 2025 was unquestionably Justin Hylton. The teenager was a star for the U-17 team before making his professional debut for the Young Lions. Originally a backup, he soon became a focal point of the attack and created problems for opposing defenses.

Hylton made his OCB debut on June 1 and didn’t start until Aug. 23. But he was in the starting lineup for the final six games of the season and was a crucial part of the team’s late successes. He ended the season with 11 appearances, starting six games, and recording two assists.

The only issue for Hylton is that his position is currently not the most in need. Whether the club sees him up top or in the attacking midfield, there are players in front of him. However, we could see him make his debut in an Open Cup or Leagues Cup game, if not as a late substitute in the regular season.

Dylan Judelson, 17, Midfielder

Judelson is another player who joined OCB from the academy in 2025. He started the season on an academy contract but signed to the club’s second team on Aug. 5. The defensive midfielder was a key part of the team from day one, starting the first four games of the season.

In all, Judelson made 20 appearances in 2025 with nine starts. He was in and out of the lineup with Guske, Riyon Tori, and Jhon Solis also seeing time in the role. But the Canadian youth international was very solid when on the field.

Although the departure of Cesar Araujo works in Judelson’s favor, he’s still behind veterans Eduard Atuesta, Braian Ojeda, and Wilder Cartagena, as well as Guske and MLS U22 Initiative signing Luis Otavio, while Joran Gerbet is also under contract but will miss the first part of the season recovering from a knee injury.

It’s a crowded field in front of Judelson in his position group, meaning he’ll have the biggest uphill climb of the players mentioned in this column to make his first-team debut. However, we could see the teenager with the first team for the first time this year if his development continues and there are injuries and suspensions ahead of him on the depth chart.

After years of the academy failing to produce talent for the first team, Orlando City has become one of the league’s standard bearers. That’s likely to continue this season, and it might be the start of a successful professional career at the senior level for these young players.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City Exercises Contract Option on OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg

Manuel Goldberg is back to lead the Young Lions of OCB in 2026 after the club exercised his contract option.

Published

2 months ago

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November 19, 2025

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Image of OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg holding up an OCB scarf.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City announced today that the club has exercised the option on Orlando City B Head Coach Manuel Goldberg’s contract, keeping him in purple through 2026. The Young Lions’ boss enters his third season in the position in 2026 and his fifth overall with the team.

“Since taking over the role as head coach of OCB, Manu has done a tremendous job connecting with our MLS NEXT Pro players, developing their skillsets and preparing them for opportunities with the first team and beyond,” Orlando City General Manager & Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “His deep understanding of our player pathway and internal processes has been invaluable. The continuity Manu provides is critical for the career development of both our players and staff.”

Goldberg initially joined the club in 2022 as an assistant to Martin Perelman. When Perelman was promoted to first-team assistant, Orlando City announced Goldberg as his successor on March 11, 2024. At 30 years old, Goldberg became the youngest head coach in the short history of MLS NEXT Pro.

In his first season in the position, Goldberg led his team to a record of 11-9-9 (28 points), finishing fifth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The Young Lions took fourth-seeded Chicago Fire FC II to penalties in the first round of the playoffs away from home, where they fell 5-4 to end their season.

The 2025 campaign was particularly disappointing, as the Young Lions failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2022. They finished the year with 28 points (9-13-6) and tumbled to 11th in the Eastern Conference after a promising start.

Overall, Goldberg has a record of 18-21-16 in 55 games leading the Young Lions. His draw in Chicago in 2024 (and subsequent penalty shootout loss) was his only playoff appearance. Meanwhile, his teams have been 9-7 in penalty shootouts over the past two seasons.

However, Goldberg has been successful in his primary objective of producing players for the first team. Since becoming head coach of OCB, three players — Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi — have signed Homegrown Player contracts, while Justin Ellis is seemingly on the brink of signing one as well. He’s also coached backup goalkeeper Javier Otero and, most notably, starting right back Alex Freeman, helping them develop into first-team contributors.

Goldberg began his coaching career at Israeli side Hapoel Katamon in 2015 following a three-year playing career in the country. He then joined Club Nautico Hacoaj in Buenos Aires, Argentina as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2019 before becoming a competitive program coach at Barça Academy PRO Miami. After two years in South Florida, he was hired by Orlando City as Perelman’s assistant with OCB.

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