Connect with us

Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Chattanooga FC: Final Score 2-0 as OCB Suffers First Loss of 2025

The Young Lions were shorthanded and suffered their first loss of the season.

Published

2 months ago

on

Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (2-1-1, 8 points) suffered its first loss of 2025, falling 2-0 to Chattanooga FC (3-0-1, 11 points) in Tennessee Saturday night. An inspired second-half substitution by Chattanooga was the difference as Daniel Mangarov and Keegan Ancelin combined for both goals.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg was forced into three changes to the team that beat Crown Legacy FC 1-0 on March 26 in North Carolina. Thomas Williams, Gustavo Caraballo, and Shak Mohammed were unavailable because they were with the first team in Philadelphia. Hayden Sargis, Noham Abdellaoui, and Justin Ellis took their spots in the starting lineup.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Abdellaoui, Sargis, and Jackson Platts. Dylan Judelson and Jhon Solis were the defensive midfielders behind Zakaria Taifi, Ellis, and Dyson Clapier with Thalles up top.

OCB had its chances in the first half, failing to take advantage of some golden opportunities. The lack of finishing cost the Young Lions as the hosts came out of the break the better team. They created numerous chances from the beginning of the second 45 minutes and converted on a pair of late opportunities to claim all three points.

Chattanooga had the first attack of the game in the second minute when Markus Naglestad beat Sargis and was pulled down by the Orlando City Academy player near the OCB box. The set piece was blocked out of play and the ensuing ball was cleared away. The hosts recycled and won another corner kick that was also cleared away.

It looked like the Young Lions might have their first chance of the game in the eighth minute when Solis sent Thalles behind the Chattanooga back line. However, Nathan Koehler did well to shield the striker, guiding the ball back to his goalkeeper.

The first shot of the game came in the 13th minute when Ellis made a long run from midfield into the Chattanooga box. He beat Nick Mendonca and used a good touch to lose Koehler before shooting. The shot was on target, but Eldin Jakupovic got down to tip the ball wide.

The ensuing corner kick was short and Taifi found Ellis just outside the box. The young striker fired again, but Jakupovic didn’t have any trouble with this one, collecting the attempt to end the attack.

In the 17th minute, Minjae Kwak found Milo Garvanian at the top of the OCB box. The attacker’s second touch was a shot for the far post, but it was blocked out of play by Judelson. Mercado jumped up and grabbed the ensuing corner kick, ending the threat.

The Young Lions quickly created something on the other end, nearly opening the scoring. Clapier played Ellis near the top of the box and the attacker continued the ball to Taifi entering the Chattanooga area. Taifi’s first touch was a shot, but Jakupovic got down to knock the attempt wide with his right foot.

The corner kick by Solis was short to Ellis, who laid the ball back to him as the midfeilder made a run down the end line. Solis lifted the into the box and Thalles got his head to it, sending the attempt wide.

A minute later, the Young Lions let Mendonca dribble right down the field. Since nobody stepped up to close down the attacker, he continued downfield and took a strong shot before he entered the OCB box. The attempt was past Mercado but hit the outside of the post.

In the 34th minute, Ellis sent Thalles behind the Chattanooga defense. The striker was free on goal, but Jakupovic got down again to block the shot wide. OCB couldn’t create anything from the corner kick and the attack ended.

Thalles had another chance in the 41st minute when Taifi found him near the top of the Chattanooga box. The striker took a couple of touches before firing, but it was too close to Jakupovic, who blocked the ball away for another save.

In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Platts played Taifi on the right. The midfielder sent a cross into the box that was blocked out of play by Farid Sar-Sar. Sargis got the top of his head to the ensuing corner kick and it went straight back to Clapier. The attacker volleyed the ball, but it was blocked out of play.

Chattanooga cleared the second corner kick, ending the final attempt of the first half.

After 45 minutes, OCB had more shots (8-3) and shots on target (5-0). Chattanooga had the advantage in corner kicks (5-4), crosses (4-1), and passing accuracy (86.7%-86.3%).

The hosts nearly took the lead in the 48th minute when Tate Robertson found Garvanian at the back post. The attacker beat Platts to the ball and headed it on goal, but Mercado was there to stop it. Robertson and Garvanian appealed that Mercado was behind the goal line when he stopped the shot, but the referee decided otherwise.

In the 57th minute, a good ball into the OCB box found Kwak between Abdellaoui and Sargis. The attacker did well to control the ball with his chest and send a shot on target, but Mercado was there to block it. The OCB goalkeeper briefly lost sight of the ball, collecting it when it bounced right back to him.

Jakupovic sent a long ball behind the back line in the 59th minute for Naglestad. The attacker pulled up just enough to allow Sargis to get in front and block the attempt out of play for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece found its way to Naglestad in the OCB box. He took another shot, looking to curl the attempt inside the far post. However, Abdellaoui got in front to head the ball clear.

Chattanooga made a pair of substitutions in the 63rd minute, bringing on Mangarov and Ancelin. Just two minutes after appearing, the two nearly combined for the game’s first goal. Mangarov sent a dangerous ball into the box, where Ancelin was between Sargis and Reid-Brown. However, it was out of Ancelin’s reach and he couldn’t get his head to the ball, allowing Reid-Brown to clear.

OCB made its first change in the 70th minute as 2024 MLS SuperDraft selection Riyon Tori made his club debut, coming on for Clapier.

The Young Lions got their first chance of the second half in the 71st minute when Solis found Thalles in the Chattanooga box. The ball was a little behind the Brazilian, but his second touch was a shot. Unfortuately, he was unable to get over the ball, sending the attempt over the crossbar.

Ellis found Taifi to his left in the 73rd minute, and the midfielder created OCB’s second shot of the second half. He used a move to get some space from Sar-Sar. The shot was on target, but Jakupovic deflected it over the top of the goal.

While the ensuing corner kick was too strong, OCB maintained possession. Sargis ended up with the ball, sending a curling cross to the back post, where Platts was making a run. The defender got his head to the ball, sending the attempt over the crossbar.

In the 75th minute, Mangarov and Garvanian played a give-and-go from the left, sending the latter into the box. His first touch upon receiving the pass back was a shot with his left foot that rolled wide of the far post.

The hosts finally broke through in the 77th minute. Quick passing by Sar-Sar and Robertson sent Ancelin forward down the right. The attacker found Mangarov on the far side of the box. The ball initially popped up on him, but the second-half substitute put the second touch past Mercado to give Chattanooga a 1-0 lead.

Ellis tried to respond in the 80th minute, dribbling across the top of the box and unleashing a shot. However, this attempt was straight to Jakupovic, causing no problems for the goalkeeper.

Ancelin and Mangarov combined again in the 84th minute to double Chattanooga’s advantage. Mangarov received a pass down the left and it looked like he would send a cross into the box. However, he spotted Ancelin making a trailing run, laying it off for his teammate. Ancelin guided it past Mercado to give Chattanooga a 2-0 lead.

The hosts nearly made a costly blunder in the 86th minute when Sar-Sar played a soft pass back for Jakupovic. Thalles tried to beat Jakupovic to the ball, but the goalkeeper reached it just in time.

Goldberg made a second change in the 86th minute, trying to get his team back into the game. It was an attacking substitution as Clovis Archange entered for Platts.

The hosts nearly made it 3-0 in the 90th minute when Callum Watson played the ball forward and Mangarov flicked it on for Peter Plougmand. The attacker did well to shield his defender and fired on target. However, Mercado was there to block it wide.

That was the final chance for either team as Chattanooga came away with a 2-0 win. The Young Lions ended the game with more shots (13-12) and shots on target (7-5). Meanwhile, Chattanooga had the advantage in corner kicks (8-6), crosses (9-2), and passing accuracy (86.9%-86.4%).

The loss is OCB’s first of the 2025 season. However, you can’t take too much from it as Chattanooga is one of only three undefeated teams in the Eastern Conference. The hosts also sit atop the standings now with 11 points. Additionally, OCB was missing multiple starters, including the team’s leading scorer in Mohammed.

With the two-game road trip now behind them, the Young Lions will return home to face another one of those undefeated teams. They’ll welcome New England Revolution II to Osceola Heritage Park Wednesday night.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Inter Miami II: Final Score 3-0 as Young Lions Dominate Herons At Home

Justin Ellis’ goal and two assists helped end a five-game winless run against the Herons.

Published

6 days ago

on

May 17, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (4-4-1, 14 points) returned home tonight and crushed Inter Miami II (3-6-1, 10 points) 3-0 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Gustavo Caraballo gave the Young Lions the lead in the 19th minute before Shak Mohammed doubled the advantage in the 51st minute. But it was Justin Ellis’ night. The 18-year-old assisted the first two goals and converted a penalty in the 59th minute to cap off a remarkable game.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made just one change from the team that lost 5-1 to Chicago Fire II on May 2. Jhon Solis returned to the starting lineup after his one-game suspension, replacing Juan Quevedo.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Jackson Platts, and Zakaria Taifi. Colin Guske and Riyon Tori were the defensive midfielders behind Solis, Ellis, and Caraballo with Mohammed up top.

Miami got off to the stronger start in the first five minutes and it looked like it might be another long night for OCB. But that was the end of the threats by the opposition. The Young Lions seemed to wake up and dominated the rest of the game. The 3-0 scoreline is a fair result as OCB was by far the better team.

The visitors nearly took the lead in the fifth minute when Santiago Morales’ shot hit the post. The rebound went right back to the midfielder, who found Cesar Abadia-Reda to his left. The defender sent a second shot towards goal but hit it just wide of the near post.

A minute later, the Young Lions felt they should’ve had a penalty when Reid-Brown found Mohammed down the left. The attacker played the ball into the box for Caraballo, who went down after contact from behind. The OCB players and fans appealed for a penalty, but the referee disagreed.

Alejo Ristano pulled Ellis down in the 12th minute, giving the Young Lions a free kick near the top of the Miami box. Caraballo and Solis stood over the ball with Solis taking it. His set piece got through the wall, but Ivan Schmid had eyes on it the entire way, making for an easy save.

The Young Lions took the lead in the 19th minute when Mohammed found Ellis at the top of the Miami box. Caraballo was making a run, and Ellis chipped it in for the midfielder. The 16-year-old did well to control the ball and put it past Schmid to give his team the 1-0 lead.

It looked like OCB might double its advantage in the 22nd minute when the Young Lions broke forward on a four-on-two break. Mohammed played the ball to his right for Caraballo, who immediately tried to find Ellis in the middle of the field. However, the pass was behind the attacker and the Young Lions were unable to create a shot.

In the 39th minute, Abadia-Reda sent a dangerous cross through the OCB box, looking for Ricardo Montenegro. Fortunately, he wasn’t able to connect, because Mercado would’ve had little chance if the midfielder had redirected it on target.

OCB won a corner kick in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. The set piece found Williams near the top of the six-yard box with Giovanni Ferraina holding the center back, causing his header to go wide. Williams threw his arms up, feeling a penalty should’ve been called, but nothing came of it.

Both teams created three shots in the first 45 minutes, but OCB put two on target while Miami only put one on frame. While Miami had the edge in crosses (2-0), corner kicks (3-1), and passing accuracy (91%-87.8%), Caraballo’s 19th-minute strike gave the Young Lions that one-goal halftime lead.

Goldberg made a pair of halftime changes, possibly in preparation for Sunday night’s first-team game in Fort Lauderdale. Favian Loyola and Dylan Judelson came into the game for Guske and Caraballo.

OCB doubled its advantage in the 51st minute and it was created by Ellis again. The attacker received the ball at the top of the Miami box, and — similar to the first goal — chipped it forward. This time it was Mohammed making the run, playing it past Schmid to make it 2-0.

Miami looked to respond in the 56th minute when Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida found Morales in the box with some space. The midfielder’s second touch was a shot on goal, but Mercado was at his near post to collect it.

Things got even better for OCB in the 57th minute when Loyola made a run into the Miami box from the right and shot. Tyler Hall turned his back to the ball and it went off his arm. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, awarding OCB a penalty.

After setting up the first two goals, Ellis stepped up to take the spot kick. There was a delay while the referee made sure the players were outside the box. When his whistle blew, Ellis didn’t hesitate to take the attempt, putting it past a diving Schmid to make it 3-0.

“It was just the confidence that my teammates and the staff give me,” Ellis said about his goal and two assists. “Like the freedom that they give me. They tell me where to be and then I just execute.”

“He has a lot of determination in the last third. We tried to take advantage, he tried to take advantage with his teammates,” Goldberg said about Ellis’ performance. “He assisted twice and scored, so we are really happy for him.”

The Young Lions nearly made it 4-0 in the 63rd minute when Ellis made a good run into the box, and his pass split two defenders and found Taifi. The right back had his back to goal, so he laid it off to Mohammed instead. Mohammed quickly shot, but Schmid blocked it over the crossbar.

The ensuing corner kick was long, finding Platts beyond the back post. The center back sent the ball in front of goal with a teammate there, but it was cleared away.

OCB dominated the second half, but Miami created a chance in the 69th minute when Yuval Cohen got enough room from his defender to get a shot off. However, he sent the attempt well off target.

Immediately after the miss, Goldberg made his third change of the night, replacing Taifi with Hayden Sargis.

Ellis was looking for his third assist and fourth goal contribution in the 72nd minute when he played Mohammed behind the Miami back line. But this time the flag went up, ruling the striker offside.

Alejandro Flores forced Mercado into action in the 73rd minute with an ambitious shot from distance. The attempt was heading inside the near post, but Mercado did well to dive to his left and push the ball wide.

In the 76th minute, Mateo Saja was taken down just outside of the OCB box, giving Miami a free kick in a dangerous position. It was a fortunate play for the Young Lions because Saja was entering the box when he was taken down.

Before the set piece could be taken, Goldberg made another change as Bernardo Rhein came on for Ellis.

Morales sent the set piece towards goal. The ball went off Mohammed, sending it just wide of the target. The Young Lions cleared the ensuing corner kick and Miami was unable to get anything else from the attack.

Goldberg made his final change in the 85th minute as Noah Levis made his OCB debut, replacing Solis.

A free kick in the 89th minute resulted in a dangerous situation. Schmid came flying out for the set piece, running into Platts and flipping over the center back. The referee called Platts for a foul and both players went down. However, neither needed attention and both were able to continue.

Miami quickly went the other way and created a chance. There were multiple pink jerseys in the box as the low cross came in, but Mercado jumped off his line to collect it before anyone could put it on target.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Cohen wound up and shot from well outside the box. The attempt got through a pair of defenders, but Mercado had his near post well covered, smothering the ball. The final whistle blew before he could punt the ball away, securing the 3-0 win for the Young Lions.

Inter Miami II had the better statistical night with the advantage in shots (11-8), crosses (7-4), corner kicks (6-3), and passing accuracy (91%-86.6%). But both teams put five shots on target and OCB created much more dangerous situations.

“The first thing, to win the derby is great. So that’s the most important,” Goldberg said. “Apart from that, I think we did it in a good way, which is even better.”

“It was a great team performance,” Ellis added. “I think the defensive solidity gave us the confidence to score three goals, and it gave us the freedom to play for what we see and just use our talent.”

The win snaps a five-game winless run against Miami, during which the Young Lions went 0-3-2. Prior to tonight, the most recent OCB win came on May 25, 2023, a 1-0 win in Fort Lauderdale.

After a short stop at home, OCB will head back out on the road to face another rival in Atlanta United 2 Friday night in Kennesaw, GA.

Continue Reading

Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Chicago Fire FC II: Final Score 5-1 as Chicago Scores Five Unanswered

Chicago Fire II responded to OCB’s opening goal with five unanswered in a dominating win.

Published

3 weeks ago

on

May 2, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (8-3-4, 11 points) traveled north to take on Chicago Fire FC II (7-3-4, 9 points) tonight at Flames Field on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Shak Mohammed gave the Young Lions the first-half lead, but it was all downhill after that. Goals by Peter Soudan and Jason Shokalook made it 2-1 at halftime. The hosts kept their foot on the gas with second-half goals by Jean Diouf, Justin Reynolds, and Dean Boltz in a 5-1 thumping.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes from the team that fell 4-2 to New York Red Bulls II Sunday night. Jhon Solis was suspended for yellow card accumulation after five bookings in the first seven games. It’s the first time Solis has been out of the starting lineup this year and the second time since joining OCB in 2023, breaking a streak of 39 straight starts. Javier Otero was with the first team, so he didn’t play either. They were replaced by Juan Quevedo and Carlos Mercado.

The back line in front of Mercado in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Jackson Platts, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Colin Guske and Riyon Tori were the defensive midfielders behind Quevedo, Justin Ellis, and Gustavo Caraballo with Mohammed up top.

The hosts dominated this game from the outset, creating several chances in the opening minutes. Mohammed had a couple of wasted opportunities before giving his team the lead just before the half-hour mark. That was the last good thing from OCB, as the game quickly went downhill.

The story of this one was missed chances, poor defending, and poor goalkeeping. Mohammed could’ve had four first-half goals, including a poor penalty attempt. The Young Lions failed to get back on Shokalook’s second-half goal, and Mercado had a ball bounce off his chest, giving Chicago an easy fifth.

Fire II created the first chance of the game in the sixth minute when a shot from the top left corner of the box was blocked out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece by Claudio Cassano found the head of Diego Konincks, but his header was wide.

A minute later, Mohammed was sent behind the Fire II back line. It looked like the OCB forward would have a breakaway, but Diouf did well to catch up with the first-team attacker. The defender’s tackle in the box had to be perfect and it was, knocking the ball away.

Cassano made a long run into the OCB box in the eighth minute. He twisted and turned Caraballo but also caused himself to fall. As a result, his shot hit the outside of the net.

Soudan made a good run to the end line in the 10th minute and attempted to cross, but Quevedo got in front, blocking it out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found the head of Diouf in the box, and the center back tried to redirect it on goal but sent it over the crossbar.

The Young Lions finally got their first shot in the 12th minute when Mohammed received a pass near the top right corner of the Chicago box. The forward’s second touch was shot, but a defender got in front to block the attempt.

Fire II won another corner kick in the 18th minute when Soudan was sent towards the end line. Quevedo again got back to block the cross for a Chicago corner kick. This time, it didn’t find a red target, and the Young Lions were able to clear.

In the 21st minute, Vitaliy Hlyut found enough space for a shot inside the OCB box. He had a clear chance from about 10 yards out, but Mercado did well to get down and block the attempt.

Caraballo turned the ball over to Charles Nagle in the 22nd minute. OCB wanted a foul as Nagle pushed Caraballo down, but the referee allowed play to continue. Nagle took a shot from outside the box, sending it over the crossbar.

Mohammed had his second chance of the game in the 24th minute from a turnover in the Chicago third of the field. He dribbled into the box to the right of goal and had enough space for a shot but hit the outside of the net.

It looked like Ellis might have a chance in the 28th minute after a give-and-go with Taifi. However, the ball was knocked off his foot. Fortunately, it went directly to Caraballo, who was able to get a shot off. But his attempt was blocked.

Despite spending most of the first half-hour defending, OCB took the lead in the 29th minute. Ellis received a pass across midfield from Williams and played a beautiful ball with the outside of his right foot, sending Mohammed behind the back line. The forward curled a shot around Patrick Los to give OCB a surprising 1-0 lead.

Chicago nearly found an equalizer in the 32nd minute when Shokalook found Hlyut at the top of the six-yard box. He put his shot on target, but Mercado dove to his right, tipping it wide. Cassano followed up and shot from a tight angle, but Mercado was there again to make the save.

A minute later, Cassano sent an excellent ball to the far post where Boso was making a run. The forward tried to volley the ball on goal, sending it wide.

Chicago found the equalizer in the 37th minute with an odd goal. Soudan sent a ball into the box for Shokalook with Williams on his back, and the ball bounced right through both players. Mercado thought the ball would get redirected, so he was caught leaning the wrong way as the ball bounced off the inside of the far post to even the game at 1-1.

OCB won a corner kick in the 41st minute. Caraballo’s set piece was let go by Ellis for Taifi right behind him. The right back’s first touch was a shot, but it was blocked by Konincks.

Fire II immediately broke the other way. Cassano took possession and played it forward for Konincks. Quevedo got there first and tried to play it back to Mercado, but fell as he hit the ball. Konincks easily took possession and was in on goal. It looked like the Chicago captain would take it himself, but he played it square to Shokalook, who passed it in to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

OCB had a golden chance to equalize just before halftime when Chicago was unable to clear a corner kick into the box. It bounced around before Mohammed took possession. Reynolds reached his foot out, catching Mohammed, who went down. Referee Luis Arroyo pointed to the spot, awarding the Young Lions a penalty.

Mohammed stepped up to take the kick himself. Los guessed correctly, diving to his right. It was a poor penalty by the OCB forward, allowing the Chicago goalkeeper to block it away.

That was the final chance for either team as OCB headed into the break down 2-1. Chicago ended the first half with the advantage in shots (15-7), shots on target (5-2), corner kicks (5-2), and passing accuracy (89%-88.5%). Both teams had one cross in the first 45 minutes.

Goldberg made one change at the break as Dylan Judelson came into the game for Guske.

OCB created the first chance of the second half in the 48th minute when Caraballo dribbled into the Chicago third of the field and found Quevedo on the left. The midfielder’s third touch was a shot from the top corner of the box, but he sent it well off target.

Chicago nearly extended its lead in the 60th minute when Borso found Shokalook in the box. The attacker turned his defender and fired on goal, but Mercado did well to tip it over the crossbar.

The set piece went long but was sent back in by Soudan. It looked like Mercado would collect it, but Borso got in front. Diouf was the first one to the free ball, slamming it past Mercado to give the hosts a 3-1 lead.

It didn’t take the hosts long to extend their lead further, doing so in the 65th minute. Hlyut made a long run into the OCB half. He laid it off for Cassano, who sent it back across the field for Borso. The forward used some good footwork to lose Williams, sending the ball to the opposite post, where Reynolds was making a run. It was an easy header for Reynolds to make it 4-1.

Chicago was feeling it after the fourth goal, continuing to fire on Mercado. In the 68th minute, Hlyut shot from the top of the OCB box, but it was right at the OCB shot-stopper.

In the 72nd minute, Taifi made a run towards the end line before playing the ball back to the top of the box. Ellis took a shot with his first touch, but it was right at Los.

A minute later, Caraballo made his way to the end line and attempted a cross, but Reynolds knocked it out for a corner kick. Quevedo’s set piece found Ellis, who attempted to volley it on goal, but it was blocked out of play. The second corner kick was punched away by Los, ending the attack.

Mohammed laid the ball off for Quevedo in the 75th minute and the midfielder shot, but it was blocked. The ball went to Mohammed, who went down after some contact. The OCB players appealed for a penalty, but Arroyo waved play on.

Goldberg made his second change of the night in the 77th minute as Noham Abdellaoui came on for Quevedo.

Soudan sent a dangerous cross into the OCB box in the 78th minute. A pair of Fire II players were making runs into the six, but Mercado did well to jump off his line and push the ball away.

Goldberg made two more changes in the 82nd minute. Hayden Sargis and Diego Pareja came into the game for Williams and Caraballo.

Chicago scored a fifth goal in the 85th minute when Soudan sent a ball towards goal from outside the box. It should’ve been an easy save for Mercado, but the ball bounced off his hands and chest. Boltz was the first one to reach the free ball, putting it in to give his team a 5-1 lead.

OCB tried to respond on the other end as Mohammed was played behind the back line in the Chicago box. The forward tried to put the ball past Los, but sent the attempt over the top instead.

Taifi had a chance to get one back for OCB in the 89th minute when he received the ball on the left side of the box. The right back’s second touch was a shot on target, but Los did well to get down and make the stop.

With the result out of doubt, Arroyo only added one minute to the second half. Neither team did anything in added time and Chicago ended the game with a 5-1 win.

Chicago dominated this game in every possible way. They had more shots (24-18), shots on target (12-4), crosses (6-2), and corner kicks (10-4), and better passing accuracy (89.3%-88.9%).

The loss sees OCB settle into fifth place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The Young Lions are only two points out of second but are only one of two teams to play eight games so far this season. Most of the teams around them have two games in hand.

The Young Lions have an extended break to shake this one off. They’ll return to action on May 17 when they host Inter Miami II in Kissimmee.

Continue Reading

Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New York Red Bulls II: Final Score 4-2 as OCB Drops First Home Game of 2025

OCB’s slow start was critical in the team’s 4-2 loss to New York Red Bulls II.

Published

4 weeks ago

on

April 27, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Orlando City B (7-3-3, 11 points) lost at home for the first time this season, falling 4-2 to New York Red Bulls II (6-4-1, 13 points) at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. The visitors were by far the better first-half team. Tanner Rosborough gave them the lead in the 19th minute and Aiden Jarvis made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. Jhon Solis cut the deficit in half in the 39th minute, before Nehuen Benedetti made it 3-1 at halftime. Justin Ellis and Ibrahim Kasule traded goals in the second half, resulting in the 4-2 final score.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made four changes to the team that lost 3-2 to Inter Miami II in Bradenton on April 15. Several players re-entered the starting lineup after missing the Miami game as they were busy winning the Generation Adidas Cup with the Orlando City U-18 team. Javier Otero, Jackson Platts, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Ellis started this game in place of Carlos Mercado, Noham Abdellaoui, Hayden Sargis, Juan Quevedo, and Dyson Clapier.

The back line in front of Otero in goal was Tahir Reid-Brown, Platts, Thomas Williams, and Zakaria Taifi. Riyon Tori and Guske were the defensive midfielders behind Caraballo, Solis, and Shak Mohammed with Ellis up top.

The first half doomed OCB in this game. Red Bulls II dominated the first 45 minutes from the start, creating chance after chance while the Young Lions struggled with the visitors’ high press. OCB got back into the game with Ellis’ goal and had several good chances to equalize, but ultimately failed to find a third. Kasule’s penalty in second-half stoppage time put the game away.

The first decent chance of the game came in the third minute when Caraballo took possession and quickly gave it up in his own third of the field. Red Bulls II worked the ball out left where Matthew Dos Santos sent a low cross into the box. Multiple teammates were making runs, but the Young Lions were able to clear it away.

In the eighth minute, Steven Sserwadda sent a low cross into the box from the right. Taifi and Williams got sucked towards the ball, leaving Rafael Mosquera on his own. Fortunately, Otero came off his line to grab the ball before it reached Mosquera .

In the 12th minute, a Mohammed pass for Solis was intercepted by Red Bulls II. Mosquera beat Platts to the end line and sent a dangerous low cross into the six-yard box. He had a couple of teammates making runs, but it was cleared away and the Young Lions again narrowly avoided conceding the game’s first goal.

OCB finally got its first chance in the 13th minute when Mohammed made a long run before cutting inside and shooting from outside the box. However, he wasn’t able to get over the ball, sending it well over the goal.

The visitors took a deserved lead in the 19th minute. Kasule received a ball near the top of the box and found Rosborough making a run. The midfielder played his pass between Reid-Brown and Williams, putting Rosborough in on goal. The attacker slipped it past Otero to give Red Bulls II a 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for New York to strike again, doubling its lead in the 23rd minute. Jarvis received a short pass back and fired from long range. Otero appeared to have the shot covered, but it took a deflection on the way to the goal, changing directions and going past the OCB goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Red Bulls II nearly had a chance for a third in the 24th minute when Kasule tried to play Mosquera through. It looked like Mosquera had a step on Reid-Brown, but the left back was able to get on the inside of the attacker and guide it to Otero.

In the 25th minute, Caraballo played a ball over the top for Ellis. The striker controlled it well, but a high bounce gave the defenders time to get back. Ellis didn’t end up getting a shot off and Red Bulls II cleared the danger without forcing goalkeeper Aidan Stokes to move.

Ellis played Taifi down the middle of the field and towards the top of the New York box in the 38th minute, but the right back was pulled down by Dos Santos, resulting in a yellow card for the Red Bulls II midfielder.

Solis and Taifi stood over the ball, with Solis taking the set piece. The midfielder went for goal, sending the shot beyond the outstretched dive of Stokes to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Young Lions continued to push in an attempt to equalize before halftime, but it was the visitors that scored the goal. Benedetti took a shot from outside the box that was blocked by Williams. Unfortunately, the ball went right back to Benedetti, who dribbled past Platts and sent a low, hard shot past Otero to give his team a 3-1 lead.

The last chance of the half came in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Brooklyn Schwarz shot from the top corner of the OCB box. It sailed well high and wide of the target and the half ended with Red Bulls II leading 3-1.

It was a dominant half by the visitors. At the break, Red Bulls II had more possession (54.2%-45.8%), shots (10-2), shots on target (4-1), crosses (2-0), and corner kicks (3-0). The only advantage OCB had was its passing accuracy (85.1%-84.7%), but most of it was in non-threatening areas.

Red Bulls II almost got the second half off to the best possible start. Inside the first minute, Rosborough sent Mosquera behind the OCB back line. As he entered the box, Mosquera dribbled the ball off his heel. However, he created enough space for a shot, sending the attempt into the outside of the net.

The Young Lions responded quickly on the other end, creating their first chance of the second half. Ellis made a good run into the box from the left, finding Taifi on the far side. The right back’s first touch was a shot that traveled wide of the far post.

A curling ball into the box in the 49th minute was brought down by Kasule making a run to the far post. The midfielder got a shot off inside the six, but Williams was there to block it.

Ellis played a wonderful ball forward for Mohammed in the 52nd minute. The forward was in on goal as Stokes came off his line. He attempted to send a low shot around the goalkeeper, but Stokes did well to get his foot to the ball, keeping the game at 3-1.

It looked like Red Bulls II would make it four a few seconds later when Benedetti played the ball forward for Rosborough, who got behind Reid-Brown. Otero made a good- one-handed save on the attacker, but it went right back to him. Rosborough took another shot and this was blocked on the line by Platts. This time the ball went to Mosquera, who sent his shot off the crossbar. Somehow, OCB was able to escape without giving up a goal.

OCB got a goal back in the 61st minute when Stokes received a pass back. Taifi put pressure on the goalkeeper, resulting in a giveaway to Ellis with no defenders back. It was an easy finish by Ellis, putting it around Stokes and making it a 3-2 game.

In the 65th minute, Juan Gutierrez and Taifi collided on a 50-50 header. The referee showed Gutierrez a yellow for the foul near the top of the New York box as both players stayed down. Once they got up, OCB had a great chance from a similar distance where Solis scored earlier in the game.

Solis’ set piece was into the wall, but the ball went straight to Mohammed. The forward sent a second attempt towards the corner, hitting the post.

A minute later, Ellis found Platts making a run into the box and behind the Red Bulls II back line. The center back got a shot off, but Stokes did well to come out and block the attempt out of play for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece by Caraballo was heeded by Platts to the post, where Williams was all alone. All the center back had to do was tap it in for the equalizer, but he somehow managed to fail to get enough contact on the ball and the Young Lions remained down a goal.

OCB had a nearly disastrous miscommunication in the 72nd minute, when Mohammed took possession of the ball near the top of the OCB box. He played it between Williams, Platts, and Otero, with all three thinking one of the others was going to take it. Meanwhile, an attacker ran in to get a shot on goal, but Platts cleared it away first.

In the 74th minute, Benedetti played Kasule near the top of the OCB box and the midfielder did well to beat his defender, sending Benedetti forward. The attacker was pressured by Reid-Brown, resulting in the shot going high and wide of the near post.

Williams got beat by Andy Rojas in the 80th minute, giving Red Bulls II a chance in the OCB third. Before the set piece could be taken, OCB made two changes. Clapier and Dylan Judelson came on for Caraballo and Guske. Benedetti went for goal on the ensuing free kick, sending the attempt off target.

Red Bulls II had a chance in the 89th minute when Kasule received a pass near the top of the six-yard box. He tried to turn and put a shot on goal, but Clapier cleared it before Kasule could get his foot to the ball.

Rojas split a pair of defenders in the 90th minute, making his way into the box. Nobody else closed him down, so the second-half substitute took a shot at goal. However, he was unable to get over the ball, sending it high and wide of the target.

Red Bulls II put the game away in stoppage time when Platts committed a foul in the box. Williams had a chance to clear the ball, but Kasule tapped it around the center back before playing Rojas on the far side. Platts was beaten and tripped Rojas as he got in on goal. Referee Alexandra Billeter immediately pointed to the spot, awarding the visitors a penalty.

Kasule stepped up to take the spot kick, sending Otero the wrong way to extend the lead and put the game away.

As the game entered the eight minute of stoppage time, Williams sent a long ball into the box for Clapier. The ball was behind the substitute, who tried to turn and attempt a bicycle kick. He made contact with the ball, but sent it wide. That was the last chance for either team as the Young Lions fell 4-2.

At full time, Red Bulls II had more shots (21-13), shots on target (8-4), and crosses (4-3). OCB had better passing accuracy (85.8%-82.8%) and both teams ended the game with four corner kicks.

“I think it was clear,” Goldberg said about the game. “We speculated the first half and then had to push the second half with a negative result and all this stuff.”

The team was on the back foot for most of the first half but was much better in the second. After being outshot 10-2 in the first 45 minutes, the Young Lions matched New York with 11 shots in the second period of play.

“That’s what we expected,” Goldberg said about his team’s second-half attack. “But since the beginning. Not in the second half.”

The loss is OCB’s first at Osceola County Stadium this season, having gone 2-0-1 in the first three home games. Since the Young Lions won the penalty shootout against Atlanta on March 16, they had taken eight of a possible nine points at home prior to tonight’s game.

The loss sees the Young Lions drop to fifth in the Eastern Conference. They’re only two points behind Red Bulls II, Huntsville City FC, and New England Revolution II for second but have played one more game.

It’ll be a short week for the Young Lions as they head out on the road next weekend with the first team. They’ll face Chicago Fire FC II on Friday night at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL.

Continue Reading

Trending