Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Atlanta United 2: Final Score 4-1 as Young Lions Blast Atlanta
The Young Lions’ offensive explosion continued with four more in a decisive road win at Atlanta United 2.
Four different Young Lions scored as Orlando City B routed Atlanta United 2 by a 4-1 final score at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA. OCB (7-6-9, 34 points) won its second straight game and now has scored seven goals in its last two matches with the win in Atlanta (6-10-5, 26 points).
Yutaro Tsukada picked up where he left off last weekend with another goal and an assist to go with the one of each he had against New York City FC II last weekend. Imanol Almaguer, Luca Petrasso, and Shak Mohammed also scored for OCB before Noble Okello spoiled the shutout in the second half.
Manuel Goldberg’s starting lineup included Carlos Mercado in goal behind a back line of Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Mohammed, with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
Solis produced the game’s first scoring chance by slipping a ball into the box for Tsukada’s run. The winger faked a shot with his right, faked a move left, and then fired a right-footed shot toward the left side. However, it hit the post and stayed out in the fourth minute.
The next good chance came in the 11th minute and it again involved Solis and Tsukada. Solis took a pass down the left channel from Tsukada and picked out Rivera in the box. The forward tried a first-time chip shot toward the back post but it landed on top of the net.
The Young Lions broke through four minutes later. A good ball in from Petrasso on the left was flicked on goal by Tsukada. Jayden Hibbert made the initial save but the ball came right back to Tsukada, who sent his shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.
Atlanta had its first dangerous attacking spell after OCB’s goal, swarming forward with intense pressure and counterpressure. Rodrigo Neri fired a shot at the top of the area but Williams was there to block it. OCB survived a couple of corner kicks and finally broke the pressure.
Tsukada made a brilliant move in the 20th minute to send Petrasso down the left. The fullback sprinted down the flank and spotted Mohammed breaking free on the right but his cross was just a foot or two beyond his reach.
Javier Armas tried a shot from about 30 yards out in the 22nd minute but it was well off target. A minute later, OCB had a chance on an even longer shot.
Rivera stole the ball at midfield and spotted Hibbert off his line. The forward unleashed a shot from extreme range that would have beaten Hibbert but it sliced just wide to the right.
Both teams nearly scored in the 30th minute, with Solis taking the ball away in the penalty area but before he could gather it and fire on goal with Hibbert out of position, he was bundled over from behind by Efrain Morales. Despite his shouts for a penalty, none was given.
Atlanta went the other way and Nick Firmino was dispossessed at the top of the OCB area, but three Young Lions failed to clear and the ball was picked up there by Armas, who dribbled deftly through all of them and fired just wide of the left post.
It was a costly miss, because the Young Lions doubled their lead eight minutes later. Freeman had the ball on the left and found Almaguer at the top of the area just left of the middle. The midfielder blasted a shot into the upper right corner to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute.
Dominic Chong-Qui lost Freeman at the other end in the 43rd minute and broke in on the left side, but he shot his attempt into the outside netting of Mercado’s goal. Seconds later, the Young Lions struck again.
Solis did well to slip the ball behind the Atlanta back line to a streaking Petrasso. With one defender back and Mohammed on his right, Petrasso took the shot himself with his left foot, slotting it home to make it 3-0 in the 43rd minute.
Atlanta closed the half with a flurry of shots in stoppage time. Guske made a mistake and let up when he thought the ball was over the sideline. Chong-Qui never stopped and got in down the left again but his shot was wide once again. Moments later, Alan Carleton got to the top of the area and fired but Kibunguchy got just enough of a block to send it just wide of the left post.
After the ensuing corner kick was partially cleared, a late attempt by Armas was a weak effort that Mercado was able to scoop up, ending the half.
Atlanta had much more of the first-half possession, although the MLS NEXT Pro website doesn’t list possession numbers in its stats. The hosts also attempted more shots (9-8), won more corners (4-1), and passed more accurately (89.5%-85.1%), but OCB put more shots on target (5-1) and made most of those count.
Atlanta nearly scored just after the second-half kickoff. Matias Gallardo was left all alone and put in a good cross to Neri, who was also left all alone. The header was on goal but Mercado made a terrific diving save to keep the hosts off the board. Atlanta couldn’t pay off a pair of corner kicks in the wake of Neri’s chance.
Okello tried a shot from about 30 yards out in the 51st minute. It was a good, hard shot but Mercado was able to get down to make the save.
Mohammed took a pass from Freeman and scored a minute later but he was offside on the play. That led to a quick goal kick and Williams gambled and lost going for a pass, allowing Neri to get in behind. It appeared Neri would have a breakaway but Kibunguchy was able to get over and bail Williams out with a good defensive play.
Rivera sent a shot just inches over the crossbar in the 54th minute as the back-and-forth second half continued. No matter, as the Young Lions put a fourth on the board three minutes later, anyway.
Rivera unlocked the defense with a pass that sent Tsukada down the left. With one defender back, Tsukada faked a move and unselfishly found Mohammed, who fired in OCB’s fourth goal of the match in the 57th minute. It was Mohammed’s 10th goal of the season.
Almaguer did well in the 66th minute to hold his ground and block a shot by Gallardo. The hosts pulled a goal back moments later, however. Second-half sub Stephen Hurlock freed himself up and fired a shot that the defense deflected wide. Okello got his head to the ensuing corner kick and put it in the bottom left corner to make it 4-1 in the 69th minute.
Solis turned the ball over trying to switch play in the 75th minute, igniting the Atlanta break. At the end of the counterattack, Gallardo sent his shot high over the bar.
Solis freed himself up in the 78th minute and went for goal, but Hibbert was able to dive to his left to catch it.
Stll in the 78th minute, Atlanta came right back down with a pair of shots but Armas’ effort was blocked and Guske blocked Firmino’s attempt seconds later.
Gallardo hit the left post in the 82nd minute after being left at the top of the box with too much space. Two minutes later, a good ball found Jacob Williams alone in front of goal. The Atlanta attacker sent his header off target but based on the spot of the restart, the flag must have come up anyway.
OCB finally created a good chance in the 85th minute with Freeman slipping second-half sub Justin Ellis in but Hibbert came out to close down the shot and made a vital save. Favian Loyola, another second-half sub, did well to set up fellow substitute Bernardo Goncalves in the 90th minute but Hibbert again made a strong save.
The Young Lions saw out the five minutes of stoppage time, and then some, with Mercado finishing the game with a point-blank save.
The hosts finished with the advantage in possession, shots (21-14), corners (8-2), and passing accuracy (89.6%-87.3%), but Orlando City B got more shots on target (10-5) and was far more clinical with its opportunities.
The win, at least temporarily, pushes OCB into the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference, pending other results this weekend. OCB is tied on points with seventh-place Crown Legacy but the North Carolina-based club holds the tiebreaker on wins.
The Young Lions will be back on the road Wednesday when they visit New York City FC II Wednesday at 5 p.m.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati 2: Final Score 4-1 as Loss Eliminates OCB from Playoff Race
OCB ended its 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 4-1 loss to FC Cincinnati.
Orlando City B (9-13-6, 37 points) ended its 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign with a 4-1 loss to FC Cincinnati 2 (9-12-7, 41 points) today at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Albright Chikamso scored the lone goal for the Young Lions, and Gerardo Valenzuela, Stefan Chirila, and Kenji Mboma Dem scored for the visitors.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made only one change to the team that drew 3-3 with Carolina Core FC on Sept. 27 and won 4-2 on penalties. Chikamso made his first start for the team, replacing Tahir Reid-Brown, who left injured in the first half in North Carolina.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Chikamso, Thomas Williams, Hayden Sargis, and Riyon Tori. Colin Guske and Justin Hylton were the defensive midfielders behind Gustavo Caraballo, Justin Ellis, and Titus Sandy, Jr., with Shak Mohammed up top.
The Young Lions started the day in 10th place but with an opportunity to qualify for one of the eight playoff spots. Results around the league went their way, but the team failed to take advantage, as FC Cincinnati 2 dominated the match to end OCB’s season.
Cincinnati’s opening goal always seemed likely, and when it did, it briefly woke up the Young Lions. They converted an equalizer in the 30th minute but fell apart after that. Cincinnati dominated the remainder of the game, putting it away before halftime.
Cincinnati was the more attacking team early as OCB struggled to clear the ball. Valenzuela dribbled near the OCB box in the second minute before Hylton stepped on his foot, conceding a free kick near the top of the penalty area.
Mboma Dem went for goal on the set piece, sending it on target. However, Mercado got to his near post to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner kick. FC Cincinnati 2 committed a foul on the ensuing ball into the box, ending the attack.
The visitors created another attempt in the 10th minute when Valenzuela received a pass near the top right corner of the OCB box. The attacker fired, but Chikamso blocked it out for a corner kick. Again, Cincinnati couldn’t create anything from the set piece and the Young Lions cleared the danger.
The Young Lions nearly took the lead when Hylton played Sandy down the right in the 15th minute. The rookie played it back central for Hylton near the top of the box, where he was taken down by Stiven Jimenez. Caraballo took the set piece, sending his attempt off the crossbar. The ball bounced around before being cleared to Guske at the top of the box. The Homegrown Player volleyed the ball wide of the far post.
The visitors scored in the 20th minute through a wonderful run by Valenzuela. The midfielder weaved through defenders into the OCB box, beating Williams, Chikamso, and Sargis, before guiding the ball past Mercado and inside the far post from just inside the six-yard box, giving his team the 1-0 lead.
Mohammed made a run to the top of the Cincinnati box in the 24th minute, shooting from distance. Andrei Chirila deflected it wide for a corner kick. Caraballo took the ensuing set piece, sending it through the box untouched and out for a goal kick.
In the 26th minute, Sandy sent a cross into the box that found Ellis’ head, but he sent his shot over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Hylton shot from the top of the box that deflected off Yamir Uculmana, forcing Cincinnati goalkeeper Paul Walters to tip it wide. The Young Lions kept possession in the Cincinnati third, creating another chance when Mohammed found Ellis at the top of the box. He played it forward for Sandy, whose low cross was cleared wide.
OCB continued on the attack, earning a corner kick in the 30th minute. Caraballo sent the set piece into the box, where Chikamso headed it inside the far post for his first professional goal, evening the game at 1-1.
Mboma Dem took a shot from the top right corner of the box in the 34th minute that Guske blocked. However, the OCB midfielder took the worst of it, going down injured. Since he received attention for something other than a head injury, he had to leave the game briefly, leaving the Young Lions with 10 men. The visitors took advantage when a pair of brothers converted with the help of an OCB mistake.
Andrei Chirila sent a long ball down the right for Stefan Chirila. Williams stepped in front to intercept, but he missed the ball, allowing the attacker to shield Sargis and get behind the back line. The attacker placed the ball behind Mercado, retaking the lead for Cincinnati.
Valenzuela took a layoff from Stefan Chirila in the 41st minute. The midfielder took a shot, looking for his second goal of the game, but Hylton deflected it out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece resulted in two crosses before Uculmana pulled Hylton back, earning a yellow card.
Two minutes later, the visitors extended their lead. Hylton had the ball near the top of the OCB box, losing possession to Stefan Chirila. The midfielder touched the ball forward for Mboma Dem, who beat Mercado to his near post to give his team a 3-1 lead.
Guske went down for a second time in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. It initially looked like Goldberg would make his first change, but he decided to end the half with 10 men to avoid using a substitution window.
The final chance of the half came in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Hylton failed to clear the ball. Valenzuela took possession of the ball, firing on target and forcing Mercado to go down to make the stop.
After 45 minutes of action, Cincinnati had the edge in shots (8-7), shots on target (5-2), corner kicks (4-2), and passing accuracy (91.2%-89.5%). OCB had more crosses (3-2) but trailed by two goals at the break.
OCB made one halftime substitution at central midfield as the injured Guske was replaced by Dylan Judelson.
Cincinnati started the second half the way it ended the first half, putting pressure on the OCB back line. In the 46th minute, Valenzuela played Mboma Dem forward, but Mercado blocked his shot out of play for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece resulted in several headers that the Young Lions were unable to clear. Eventually, Williams knocked it out for another corner kick that landed on the foot of Uculmana, but his attempt went wide.
The Young Lions had one of their best attacks in the 51st minute, passing the ball around the top of the box. Mohammed took a shot from the top right corner that Andrei Chirila blocked. The ball deflected to Ellis, who fired, but Noah Adnan blocked it.
The Young Lions forced a turnover in the 53rd and went on the break with Hylton finding Mohammed to his right. The forward took a couple of touches before shooting from the top of the box, but Andrei Chirila made another block.
The visitors extended their lead again in the 59th minute when Tori blocked Stefan Chirila’s pass. Unfortunately, it went straight to Mboma Dem, allowing him to get behind the OCB back line. He sent it past Mercado to give Cincinnati a 4-1 lead.
The Young Lions nearly got one back in the 61st minute when they earned a corner kick. Caraballo sent the set piece into the box, where Sargis got his head to the ball. The center back sent it to the back post where the ball bounced off the woodwork, keeping the deficit at three goals.
Chikamso went down injured in the 67th minute, requiring attention. The stoppage allowed Goldberg to make three more changes. Favian Loyola, Noham Abdellaoui, and Jacob Ramirez entered the game for Chikamso, Williams, and Hylton.
The Young Lions should have netted a second goal in the 71st minute when Caraballo found Ellis open near the penalty spot. Ellis somehow managed to send the shot wide. Loyola got into the action in the 72nd minute, receiving the ball well outside the box. Rather than crossing it in for a teammate, he went for goal from 25 yards out, sending his attempt right to Walters.
On the other end, Carson Locker attempted a long-distance attempt, but this one sailed well over the crossbar.
Caraballo made a run to the top of the box in the 75th minute before backheeling the ball to Ellis behind him. The attacker’s second touch was a shot that forced Walters to dive to his right to tip it wide. The Young Lions couldn’t create anything from the ensuing set piece as Cincinnati cleared.
Goldberg made his final change during the second-half hydration break, replacing Sandy with Jake Basinet.
Loyola played Mohammed to the end line in the 82nd minute and the forward reached it before it went out of play. His pass was a little behind Ellis, who flicked it on frame with his heel. It was a close-range chance on target, but Walters reacted well to make the stop.
The Young Lions came close again in the 88th minute when Judelson drew a foul on Yair Ramos near the top of the OCB box. Loyola’s set piece found Abdellaoui’s head, but he sent his attempt off the post.
Mohammed earned a corner kick in the first minute of stoppage time. Loyola’s ensuing set piece delivery found Ellis, who sent his header attempt wide.
At full time, OCB had more shots (18-14), crosses (8-3), and corner kicks (7-6). However, the Young Lions struggled to put their chances on target, sending fewer on frame than the opposition (8-4). Additionally, the visitors had better passing accuracy (89.5%-88.8%).
Three points in this game would have qualified the Young Lions for a third consecutive postseason. Unfortunately, they failed to show up when needed, being completely outplayed. Meanwhile, Cincinnati was up to the occasion, earning a playoff spot on the last day of the season.
That concludes OCB’s 2025 season. The Young Lions put themselves in position to qualify for the playoffs with a three-game winning streak in August and September, but losses to teams below them were costly. Overall, it will be seen as a disappointing season for OCB.
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