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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Carolina Core FC: Final Score 1-0 as Toothless Young Lions See Win Streak Snapped

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1 month ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Offense was difficult to come by for Orlando City B and Carolina Core FC at Truist Point Stadium in High Point, NC, tonight, as the hosts found the net late in the first half to supply all the scoring in a 1-0 OCB loss. Jathan Juarez scored an outstanding goal shortly before halftime, and the Young Lions (6-6-1, 20 points) offered almost nothing going forward as they saw their two-game winning streak snapped by Carolina (3-3-5, 16 points).

Once again, OCB found a way to lose to a team much lower in the table, although Carolina Core has played two fewer matches. But the Young Lions were never in this one offensively, attempting just three total shots in the game and not putting one on frame until the final 10 minutes of normal time.

Manuel Goldberg’s lineup included Carlos Mercado in goal behind a back line of Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Hayden Sargis, and Zakaria Taifi. Riyon Tori and Diego Pareja started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Dyson Clapier, Bernardo Rhein, and Favian Loyola, with Shak Mohammed up top. The surprise was Jhon Solis starting on the bench.

For the third consecutive game, OCB was outplayed badly, and this time there were no late heroics. Nor was there time for any, as match referee Marie Durr decided one single minute of added time was enough for a match that saw five second-half substitutions and some lengthy setups for a few late Carolina Core set pieces.

Carolina Core FC, coached by former Orlando City goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, created the first shot of the match as Tori conceded an unnecessary foul near the right sideline three minutes in. The service was good but Facundo Canete sent a free header wide of the left post.

OCB’s first decent attack fizzled out three minutes later when Rhein was flagged for offside in the buildup just as Taifi was teeing up his shot.

Canete got his head to a cross in the 11th minute near the penalty spot but it was right at Mercado. The goalkeeper had to be sharp moments later when Tori failed to deal with a ball over the top and instead teed it up for the opposition. Mercado got caught coming part way out but he was able to make a vital save on another Canete chance.

OCB lived dangerously over the next few minutes, struggling to clear the defensive penalty area. When the Young Lions did manage to get forward again, Loyola won a free kick in the 19th minute near the right corner of the box. Rhein sent in a good cross but Mohammed couldn’t make good contact with it and collided with goalkeeper Alex Sutton, who was able to collect but needed treatment after the collision.

The Young Lions had their best ā€” and last ā€” opportunity of the opening period in the 25th minute. Mohammed won the ball at midfield to ignite the break and Reid-Brown’s cross near the end line was blocked out for a corner. The ensuing set piece found Sargis in front, but the center back’s header went just over the bar and landed on the roof of the net.

From that point on, OCB was too sloppy with the ball on the awful-looking baseball pitch to create any danger. The Young Lions did a decent job of keeping their defensive shape, but there were some warning signs down both flanks, where defenders gave a lot of space and were still beaten off the dribble multiple times.

Mercado was quick of his line in the 36th minute to beat Glory Nzingo to an attempted through ball. The opposing forward made contact with the OCB goalkeeper, who briefly got treatment but continued.

Carolina Core finally broke the scoreless deadlock in the 44th minute. Ibrahim Covi sent Juarez down the left flank and the fullback roasted Taifi to get inside of him and then curled an excellent, unstoppable shot from a tight angle just inside Mercado’s far post to make it 1-0.

The Young Lions couldn’t do anything in the four minutes of stoppage time. There was one promising attack that could have led to something but it fizzled with a poor touch by Tori near the right corner of the box.

At the break, Carolina Core had the advantage in possession (52%-48%), shots (4-2), shots on target (3-0), corners (2-1), and passing accuracy (85.7%-82.7%). The difference in quality was noticeable and the Young Lions were fortunate to trail only by one goal after the first half.

Goldberg made no changes to his lineup and things didn’t change on the field to start the second period. Mercado made two enormous saves in the 47th minute on Juarez and Nzingo to keep the deficit at a single goal. That attack started because Tori smashed the ball out of play off Loyola and it was kept alive by a poor Sargis clearance attempt on a cross from the right.

The first 15 minutes of the half saw OCB create nothing and turn the ball over on both forced and unforced errors. Nzingo fired over the bar at the end of a long spell of possession that began with a poor touch by Tori that gave the ball away, and that allowed Goldberg to make his first substitutions. He sent Solis and Dylan Judelson on for Pareja and Rhein in the 61st minute.

However, it was Carolina nearly doubling the lead two minutes later. Another terrible giveaway in the defensive third by OCB gave the hosts a quick transition chance with numbers forward. Nzingo took the shot himself and beat Mercado, but his shot rang off the left post, skipped across the front of goal, and the Young Lions were able to escape. Moments later, Juarez again blasted past Taifi on the left, but he sent his shot over the bar.

Nzingo missed wide to the left again in the 70th minute on another long spell of possession that began with a giveaway by Williams near midfield.

The Young Lions finally got forward in the 71st minutes, but they again got nothing out of the attack as Taifi got to the end line and sent his cross from the right behind the net and well out of play.

Goldberg sent on Justin Hylton before the ensuing goal kick, replacing Clapier.

Msunguchi Alenga’s shot was blocked by Sargis moments later as Carolina kept coming.

The Young Lions finally kept the ball for a few spells after that block, winning a couple of free kicks in dangerous spots. Reid-Brown was taken down just outside the left corner of the box in the 80th minute. Solis went for goal on the set piece and nearly leveled the game. His fantastic free kick was headed toward the upper left corner but Sutton made a diving save to keep OCB off the board. It was the first shot on goal of the match for the Young Lions.

OCB could do nothing with the ensuing corner, ending the threat.

Taifi blocked a David Polanco shot that could have put things away in the 88th minute.

Moments later, the fourth official put up a board showing just one minute of stoppage time. Goldberg was incensed and earned a yellow card for his understandable reaction. The match had five second-half subs and some lengthy set piece setups, but somehow only one extra minute was given.

OCB managed to win a corner in the added time, with Mercado coming up to join the attack. The cross in was cleared to the top of the box, and no one seemed particularly concerned about getting to it. Carolina gladly gained possession and tried to seal things with the net empty but Mercado hurried back and got to a loose ball, but the whistle blew the match complete.

In the end, Carolina dominated the attacking stats, finishing with the advantage in shots (13-3) and shots on target (5-1). OCB edged the hosts in passing accuracy (88.7%-87.4%) thanks mostly to a good spell between the 80th and 90th minutes and Carolina simply trying to clear its lines to see out the match. Both teams earned three corners.

It was a rough-but-deserved result for OCB, which struggled with the basics of passing and dribbling, needlessly having to expend energy to win balls back that would normally not be given up in the first place. Still, it’s impossible to say what might have happened with a couple more minutes tacked on as they normally would be in virtually any modern soccer match.

OCB is now 1-2-1 in the all-time series with the Foxes and will host Carolina Core in the next meeting on July 13.

OCB is off until June 25, when the Young Lions will play another midweek match as they’ll host Toronto FC II at Osceola County Stadium.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New England Revolution II: Final Score 3-0 as Young Lions a No-Show in New England

It was one of OCB’s worst performances in the team’s MLS NEXT Pro existence as the Young Lions were completely played off the pitch.

Published

3 days ago

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July 20, 2025

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image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B put up no fight whatsoever in a flat, docile road performance against New England Revolution II. The Revs (7-4-5, 30 points) smothered the Young Lions (7-8-3, 26 points) with their press, and OCB had no answer for Gevork Diarbian, who scored a brace to lead Revs II to a 3-0 win over OCB at Gillette Stadium. Alex Monis added a third goal late for the hosts, who were never challenged on the day.

OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg’s lineup included goalkeeper Carlos Mercado behind a back line of Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Jackson Platts, and Riyon Tori. Colin Guske and Dylan Judelson were in the defensive midfield behind an attacking line of Bernardo Rhein, Justin Ellis, and Gustavo Caraballo, with Shak Mohammed up top.

The hosts dominated play from the jump, with OCB unable to do anything with New England’s high press. Even with time on the ball, there were several passes straight to the opposition in the game’s first quarter of an hour. The Young Lions had no answer for pressure anywhere on the pitch, with Mohammed and Ellis getting surrounded the few times OCB worked the ball into the attacking half.

OCB’s only shot attempt of the opening half took place early, and never reached the target. Caraballo cut inside from the right and fired, but Victor Souza blocked it out front. The rest of the half was all Revolution II.

Souza got loose on a corner kick for a free header at the near post, but the defender’s glancing shot went wide of the left post in the 10th minute. Malcolm Fry whipped in a dangerous cross in the 11th minute, but Mercado got a piece of it. Before the Revs could pounce, Guske was fouled in front, ending the attack.

Allan Oyirwoth missed just inches wide of the right post from the top of the area in the 15th minute after a Platts turnover in his own defensive third gave the hosts a quick counter opportunity.

The hosts broke through three minutes later. It started when Ellis was dispossessed in the attacking half. Platts had a chance to break up the play, but his touches of the ball were heavy, handing possession right back. Fry found Diarbian, who cut in and fired just inside the left post from the right to open the scoring in the 18th minute.

OCB gave the ball right back after the restart, with New England winning multiple set pieces but doing nothing with them. Oyirwoth had a go in the 23rd minute that Judelson blocked. A minute later, Souza’s header attempt was off target. Souza sent a right-footed shot off frame two minutes later.

Reid-Brown had a rough half, and the worst moment was his foul in the box on Fry in the 27th minute, giving Revs II an opportunity to double the lead. Domingo Dias took the penalty, but Mercado guessed correctly, dove to his right, and made a vital save to keep it a one-goal game.

Revs II kept coming, with Tori blocking a Diarbian shot in the 38th minute. Platts blocked another Diarbian shot in the 42nd minute. He was down in some discomfort after the shot, but he was able to continue.

OCB won a late corner opportunity, but the cross into the box was straight at New England goalkeeper Donovan Parisian, finally giving him something to do in the match.

The stats at halftime reflected New England’s domination. Revs II had the advantage in shots (11-1), shots on target (3-0), and corners (5-1). OCB had the edge in passing accuracy (92%-84.6%), mainly because most of the time the Young Lions had the ball was in their own defensive third, passing back and forth among the defenders and goalkeeper. To say OCB was fortunate not to be down multiple goals after 45 minutes would be an understatement.

Hayden Sargis replaced Platts at halftime along the OCB back line.

Nothing much changed in the second half, although the Young Lions at least managed more than one shot attempt.

Williams got his head onto a corner kick cross in the 50th minute, but the attempt never threatened goal. New England broke the other way in transition, leaving Guske to deal with Diarbian, but the midfielder could not match the Revs II attacker’s pace and committed a foul inside the box, handing the hosts their second penalty of the match. Guske was fortunate to not pick up a second yellow in addition to surrendering the penalty.

This time, Diarbian took the spot kick and beat Mercado, who once again guessed correctly, to make it 2-0 in the 51st minute.

OCB had a little attacking possession after the second goal but did little with it. Rhein managed a shot from the left side near the top of the box in the 55th minute but sent it a few yards wide of the right post. Two minutes later, OCB took the ball away in the attacking third for a rare transition opportunity, but Mohammed grew impatient with his options and fired his shot into the shins of Hesron Barry, the defender right in front of him.

Revs II came back the other way immediately and created a good chance, but Liam Butts sent his shot wide from the middle of the box.

Goldberg made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute, ending a frustrating day for Guske, Ellis, and Mohammed. Thalles, Favian Loyola, and Dyson Clapier replaced them.

As New England looked to see out the match, OCB found more of the ball, but the Young Lions continued to struggle to find cracks in the hosts’ defense. Javaun Mussenden blocked Rhein’s shot in the 71st minute, and Caraballo’s effort was blocked by Gabriel Dahlin two minutes later.

Things got worse for OCB in the 78th minute when a simple ball over the top down the right found Damorney Hutchinson, who basically just stood on the ball in front of Williams while teammates arrived in the area. He eventually passed to the onrushing Monis, who took a quick step sideways to lose Judelson and scored to make it 3-0.

OCB should have at least scored a consolation goal in the 83rd minute. Rhein got the ball on the right side and did well to pick out Clapier at the left post. With a gaping net in front of him, Clapier sent his shot well off target.

As time wound down, the only drama remaining was whether OCB would register a shot on target in the match. The Young Lions did that through a generous ruling by the statistician in stoppage time. Reid-Brown got to the end line and sent what appeared to be a hard cross straight at the goalkeeper at the near post. He was credited with OCB’s only shot on target of the match, and seconds later, the final whistle put a mercy killing to the game.

In the end, New England finished with the advantage in shots (15-8), shots on target (6-1), and corners (7-3). OCB passed more accurately (92%-85.3%).

It was one of OCB’s worst performances since becoming an MLS NEXT Pro team, and only Mercado’s penalty save and some poor finishing in front kept the 3-0 scoreline from bulging to a much more embarrassing final tally. OCB’s eight shot attempts were from non-threatening positions except for Clapier’s, and the Young Lions got about what they deserved from their performance in this match.

The Young Lions will next be in action Friday on the road at Huntsville City.

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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.

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1 week ago

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July 13, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

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 ā€” led by 11 saves by Carlos Mercado ā€” 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.

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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.

Published

2 weeks ago

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July 6, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

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 shouldā€™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 Mercadoā€™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 gameā€™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 Toriā€™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 wasnā€™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 couldnā€™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 Taifiā€™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. Loyolaā€™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 shouldā€™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 couldā€™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.

Itā€™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.

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