Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Atlanta United 2: Final Score 2-2 as Young Lions Claim Extra Point in Penalties
OCB led in the second half but conceded an equalizer before claiming the extra point in the penalty shootout.
Orlando City B (1-0-1, 5 points) played to a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United 2 (0-1-1, 1 point) tonight at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Luke Brennan gave Atlanta the lead in the 30th minute before Justin Ellis equalized just before halftime. Shak Mohammed gave the Lions their first lead in the 56th minute and Ronan Wynne equalized for the visitors in the 78th minute. The Young Lions then took the extra point by winning the penalty shootout, 4-1.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes from the team that won 2-1 over Columbus Crew 2 last Sunday night. First-team backup goalkeeper Javier Otero got his first start of the season, replacing Carlos Mercado. Thalles got his first start for OCB, replacing Dyson Clapier.
The back line in front of Otero was Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Jackson Platts, and Zakaria Taifi. Dylan Judelson and Colin Guske were the defensive midfielders behind Mohammed, Ellis, and Jhon Solis. Thalles started alone up top.
Atlanta had the first attempt at goal in the sixth minute when former Lion Moises Tablante found Brennan near the top of the box. Reid-Brown was in front of him and the midfielder shot, but Judelson flew in to block the attempt out for a corner kick.
The ensuing set piece was knocked out for a second corner and the second attempt was caught by Otero, ending the threat.
It looked like OCB would have its first chance in the eighth minute when Taifi sent a dangerous low ball across the box. Three players in purple were making runs, with Solis closest to it. However, nobody could get to the end of the pass as it went all the way through.
The Young Lions’ first shot came in the 10th minute when Thalles knocked the ball off a defender, giving OCB its first corner kick. Solis’ set piece went through the box where it ended up with Taifi. The defender fired from outside the box, but the shot was right at Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert.
Atlanta nearly had a chance in the 25th minute when Brennan sent a dangerous ball into the six for Rodrigo Neri. Williams was on the attacker, putting enough of his body on him to keep Neri from getting onto it.
A minute later, Mohammed was called for a foul on Brennan just outside the box and to the right of goal. The short set piece between Cooper Sanchez and Tablante resulted in a Brennan shot from distance, but Platts was in position to block it.
The visitors finally got their goal in the 30th minute after a pair of clearances. Ryan Carmichael sent a long cross to the back of the six-yard box where Salvatore Mazzaferro headed it towards goal. The ball went past Otero and Brennan ran onto it to knock it in, giving Atlanta a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
The Young Lions had their best first-half opportunity in the 40th minute when Taifi was sent long on the right behind the back line. The defender dribbled into the box as Hibbert came off his line, making a good save.
On the other end, a short corner kick resulted in Tablante sending a ball into the box. Mazzaferro got his head to the ball, flicking it towards the far post, but sent it wide.
The Young Lions got their equalizer in the 44th minute when Ellis received a throw-in and played a quick give-and-go with Solis to beat three defenders. The forward’s first touch after receiving the ball back from Solis was past Hibbert and off the far post to even the game at 1-1.
Atlanta was the better team in the first 45 minutes with the advantage in shots (10-4), crosses (7-0), corner kicks (6-1), and passing accuracy (87%-79.3%). However, OCB put three of its four shots on target while Atlanta only put one of 10 on frame.
Atlanta got off to an aggressive start to the second half and nearly scored in the 46th minute. While OCB attempted to clear an Atlanta corner kick, Solis got caught playing with the ball in his own box. Neri came in from behind and shoved Solis to the ground, taking possession. The attacker tried to beat Otero to his near post, but hit the outside of the net.
The Young Lions got their first second-half attempt in the 55th minute when Ellis found Reid-Brown near the top of the box. The left back cut inside to lose his defender and shot, but Wynne got in the way, blocking it out for a corner kick.
The ensuing set piece by Taifi sailed beyond the back post where Mohammed came flying in to volley the ball past Hibbert, giving his team a 2-1 lead.
“We’ve been training for me to make the run to the second post and I happened to be there. And unbelievable delivery by Taifi and I was there to meet it,” Mohammed said. “So it’s good. It’s a good connection and hopefully many more to come.”
“Very participative, very active, very aggressive with a lot of desire,” Goldberg said about the goal scorers. “And that’s what we want. Sometimes the ball will go in. Sometimes it won’t. But the more we try to do it, it’s going to be better.”
Tablante tried to find an equalizer against his old team in the 61st minute. He ran into a defender but kept possession. A touch inside allowed him to shoot between Reid-Brown and Judelson, but he sent his shot over the crossbar.
In the 64th minute, Dominik Chong-Qui fired from the corner of the box, forcing Otero to block the ball over the crossbar at his near post. Tablante took the ensuing corner kick, but Otero was there to catch it.
Goldberg made his first two changes of the game during the next stoppage. Gustavo Caraballo and Clapier came into the game for Thalles and Judelson.
Otero was called into action in the 72nd minute when Braden Dunham’s shot from outside the box was deflected. Otero had to adjust to block the attempt, sending it wide. However, Neri was following up. Otero quickly jumped up to block that attempt as well, sending it out of play.
“Outstanding,” Goldberg said about Otero’s performance in goal. “I’m really happy for him. That he could take the chance properly for the team and for himself. And he did an outstanding job.”
Caraballo tried to double the OCB lead in the 73rd minute. The first-team midfielder took the ball to the end line before cutting back, creating space from Mazzaferro and Dunham. He was aiming for the far post, but the shot traveled wide.
The visitors found their equalizer in the 78th minute through a set piece. Guske was unable to clear Nykolas Sessock’s free kick near the top corner of the box, enabling Neri to head it back into the middle of the six-yard box. Wynne and Williams were tussling as they approached the ball, but the Atlanta attacker beat the first-team center back, evening the game at 2-2.
Goldberg was forced into another substitution in the 84th minute when Ellis went down injured. The forward received some attention before eventually being replaced by Zinedine Rodriguez.
Atlanta substitute Adyn Torres tried to be the hero in the 87th minute when he received the ball about 25 yards from goal. The attacker took a touch before firing a shot from long distance. Otero felt it was close enough to jump, but the attempt continued rising and went over the crossbar.
Torres’ attempt was the final chance for either team, as the 90 minutes ended in a 2-2 draw. Atlanta controlled the game in nearly every statistical category. Despite being on the road, the visitors had the advantage in shots (19-9), shots on target (6-5), crosses (11-2), and corner kicks (10-3). They also had better passing accuracy (85.8%-76.1%).
“I agree it was tough. We didn’t find ourselves very comfortable in the first half, and that put us there a little uncomfortable in the game,” Goldberg said. “We scored a goal in a very good moment of the match. It was at the end of the first half. And in the second half we were a little bit better. We’ve got a lot of things to work on to get better. But the good news is at least we got those two points and that’s something to look on.”
“I think on the balance of the game, it was a fair point that we got. We got the two points at home and we’re still undefeated at home,” Mohammed added. “So that’s big. It’s good to start the season that way. Two games and undefeated. So it was good. There’s still a lot of ways for us to improve and we’re going to do that. It’s just the second game of the season. So we’re looking forward to the season and it’s good that we started this way.”
Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, the teams had to shoot penalties to see who would get the extra point.
The Young Lions were perfect in the shootout, with goals by Guske, Solis, Platts, and Clapier. Carmichael hit the post on the first Atlanta attempt and Otero saved Mazzaferro’s shot on the second. Neri scored the third to keep the game alive before Clapier ended it.
OCB ends the two-game season-opening homestand with five points. The Young Lions will have to wait 10 days before they take the field again, taking on Crown Legacy FC in North Carolina on March 26.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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