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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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11 months 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 — and last — 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. Atlanta United 2: Final Score 2-0 as Young Lions Claim Three Road Points

OCB extends its point streak to four games with a road win over Southeast rival Atlanta United 2.

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2 days ago

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May 10, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (3-2-4, 16 points) took all three points on the road tonight, defeating Southeast rival Atlanta United 2 (5-3-1, 16 points) 2-0 in Athens, GA. Gustavo Caraballo and Issah Haruna were the goal scorers as the Young Lions continue to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made four changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Crown Legacy on May 3. Luca Maxim, Colin Guske, Tahir Reid-Brown, and Jayden Yearwood started in place of Tristan Himes, Landon Okonski, Titus Sandy, Jr., and Matthew Belgodere.

The back line in front of Maxim in goal was Bernardo Rhein, Reid-Brown, Guske, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Ignacio Gomez and Dylan Judelson were the defensive midfielders behind Harvey Sarajian, Haruna, and Caraballo with Pedro Leao up top.

The Young Lions were the better team in the first 45 minutes, taking a 1-0 lead into the break. However, they desperately clung to the one-goal advantage as Atlanta came storming out of the halftime break. Left back Daniel Chica played a significant role in this game and not in a good way. He conceded the penalty that resulted in the first goal and was sent off with a second yellow card in the 70th minute. That gave OCB all it needed to see out the game, with a Haruna goal in the 75th minute effectively sealing the three points.

The Young Lions had the first attack in the third minute when a steal at the top of the OCB box resulted in a counterattack. Caraballo found Haruna near midfield and the 22-year-old midfielder cut to lose his defender before playing Sarajian forward on the left. After a couple of touches, Sarajian put his shot on target, but Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert did well to tip it wide.

The Young Lions nearly had a second chance less than a minute later when a good ball into the box nearly connected with Guske. However, it was cleared and Atlanta was able to avoid any further trouble.

OCB got behind the Atlanta back line again in the eighth minute when Rhein played an excellent ball for Sarajian making a run from the sideline. The attacker got behind Chica, who attempted a desperate slide tackle. Sarajian went down and referee Nicholas Strednak pointed to the spot.

Caraballo stepped up to take the penalty and, as Hibbert dove to his right, he sent a panenka down the middle to give the Young Lions the early 1-0 lead.

Atlanta got its first good look in the 12th minute when center back Mohamed Cisset dribbled over midfield before lifting the ball over Guske’s head and into the OCB box. It was a misplay by Guske, allowing Arif Kovac to get in on goal. The forward opened up and attempted to curl the ball around Maxim, but the young goalkeeper did well to get down and make the save.

As the Young Lions looked to play the ball out of the back in the 27th minute, Amoo-Mensah lost possession to Cisset near the top of the OCB box. The center back dribbled to the edge of the six-yard box before laying it off for Cameron Dunbar. The midfielder should’ve at least put a shot on target but sent it wide of the far post.

Another defensive mistake by OCB in the 32nd minute gave Atlanta another opportunity. Matthew Senanou sent a ball over the top for Ignacio Suarez that Rhein attempted to head away. However, it skipped off the left back’s head, allowing Suarez to enter the box. The attacker’s second touch was a shot that Maxim tipped off target.

The ensuing corner kick found Kovac’s head just beyond the back post, but the header was right to Maxim, allowing OCB to clear.

OCB was looking to create space for a shot in the 36th minute, but a poor pass allowed Atlanta to break the other way. Enzo Dovlo made a run into the OCB half before laying the ball off and receiving it right back. Dovlo chipped the ball to the top of the box, where Adyn Torres brought it down and fired. Fortunately, Amoo-Mensah got back into position and blocked the attempt out of play.

The ensuing set piece was headed out, but Atlanta retained possession. This time Dunbar sent a cross into the box with Dovlo making a near-post run. However, Maxim came off his line to punch the ball away before anyone in black could get a foot to it.

The Young Lions thought they had doubled their lead in the 38th minute when the high press forced Chica into a turnover. Leao and Gomez quickly played the ball to Sarajian, who sent Haruna behind the Atlanta back line. The 2026 MLS SuperDraft pick slipped the ball past Hibbert, but the flag went up for offside.

OCB’s high press created another chance in the second minute of stoppage time when Sarajian took the ball off Chica. The attacker was behind the back line, firing from the top of the box. His shot beat the goalkeeper, however, it hit the right post, keeping the lead at 1-0.

Down a goal, it was unsurprising that the hosts were the more attacking team out of the break. They created their first second-half chance in the 52nd minute when Dominik Chong-Qui found Dovlo on the right side of the box. The attacker beat Rhein one-on-one before firing wide of the near post.

Two minutes later, Atlanta created two more chances. On the first, Suarez sent the ball to Dovlo on the right. The midfielder found Kovac at the top of the box, but Amoo-Mensah got in front to block his shot. Torres took possession and played it out left for Chong-Qui, who sent a dangerous low pass into the box. But none of his teammates were close to the pass, allowing Reid-Brown to clear it.

Caraballo collected the ball in his own third, but soon gave it to Chong-Qui. The defender played the ball to Dunbar in the box and the midfielder spun to shoot. The attempt went wide of the near post, though Maxim was in good position to make the stop if it had been on target.

Atlanta nearly had another chance in the 61st minute when Caraballo lost possession again, this time just inside his own half. Chong-Qui played a nice ball behind the back line for Kovac, who looked to be in on goal. But Maxim came well off his line to beat the attacker to the ball.

Maxim’s clearance went out for an Atlanta throw-in, but Cisset immediately lost it to Haruna. OCB broke the other way with Gomez carrying the ball over the midfield stripe. He found Sarajian to his left and the attacker fired from just outside the box. However, Hibbert dove to his right and tipped the ball wide.

Former OCB player Moises Tablante had come on in the 60th minute and took his first shot six minutes later, when he received Dovlo’s pass near the top of the box. The attacker tried to beat Maxim to his near post from distance but sent the attempt wide.

Things went from bad to worse for Atlanta in the 69th minute when Adrian Gill received a pass from Dovlo and Gomez immediately tapped it off his foot. Sarajian started the counterattack before Chica slid in with a hard challenge. The defender had already been cautioned in the eighth minute and Strednak immediately displayed a second yellow, reducing the hosts to 10 men.

Liam Butts entered the game in the 71st minute and he didn’t take long to make his presence known. He received a pass from Dunbar in the 74th minute and turned to shoot, but Guske was there to block it out of play for a corner kick.

After Tablante’s first set piece was knocked out of play, his second found Butts’ head beyond the far post. However, Maxim was there to make the stop to maintain the OCB lead.

Despite being a man down, Atlanta appeared to be on the front foot. But the Young Lions quickly took the momentum back. Playing the ball out of back after Maxim’s save, Rhein played it to Sarajian near midfield, and the midfielder found Haruna making a run behind the Atlanta back line. Hibbert came off his line and Cisset desperately tried to get back. However, Haruna took his chance well, slipping the ball under Hibbert and in to double the advantage.

Before the game could restart, Wilding made his first three changes of the game. Clovis Archange, Matthew Belgodere, and Titus Sandy, Jr. had been standing at midfield for several minutes before finally replacing Reid-Brown, Sarajian, and Guske.

Tablante tripped Gomez in the 79th minute in the Atlanta third, allowing the hosts to make a change. Andrew Jardines came on for Dunbar. Caraballo went for goal on the free kick, sending his attempt over the crossbar. Wilding used the stoppage to make his fourth change, replacing Amoo-Mensah with Yearwood.

Jardines sent a low ball forward down the left in the 86th minute for Tablante and Caraballo quickly fouled him. During the stoppage, Wilding made his final change, replacing Haruna with 16-year-old academy product Jacob Ramirez.

Gill’s ensuing free kick into the box was loose, allowing Tablante to get a shot off. It went behind Maxim but inches too high, bouncing off the crossbar. Patrick Weah took possession before Rhein won it back for OCB, ending the attack.

OCB had a good chance for a third goal in the 89th minute when Rhein sent Belgodere down the left. The substitute beat Amir Henry one-on-one before sending a dangerous cross to the penalty spot from the end line. Ramirez was making a run and his first touch was a shot on target. Hibbert was too far away to make an impact, but Cisset got in front, blocking the attempt and surely a third goal for the Young Lions.

The fourth official showed three minutes of second-half stoppage time and OCB did well to keep possession to see out the game. The only attempt into the final third in the dying minutes for Atlanta was a long ball by Senanou for Henry that went harmlessly out for a goal kick.

At full time, Atlanta had the advantage in shots (13-7), but OCB put more on target (4-3). Atlanta also had more crosses (6-0) and better passing accuracy (81.6%-80.9%), while both teams won four corner kicks.

The win extends OCB’s point streak to four games and breaks a run of three consecutive 2-2 draws. More importantly, it moves the Young Lions into fifth in the MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, tied on points with Atlanta for fourth. They’re only one point behind Columbus Crew 2 for third, having played one fewer game.

OCB will wrap up its two-game road trip next Sunday afternoon when they take on New England Revolution II in Smithfield, RI.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Crown Legacy FC: Final Score 2-2 (4-5) as OCB Erases Late Two-Goal Deficit

OCB came back from a 2-0 deficit against Crown Legacy FC to draw for the third consecutive match, but the visitors claimed the shootout point.

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1 week ago

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May 3, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (2-2-4, 13 points) came back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Crown Legacy FC (6-0-3, 23 points) tonight at Osceola County Stadium. Hugo Mbongue and a Landon Okonski own goal gave the visitors a 2-0 lead before Issah Haruna and Harvey Sarajian converted in the final 10 minutes to secure a point. The visitors then won the penalty shootout 5-4 to take the extra point.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made three changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Chicago Fire FC II on April 26. Bernardo Rhein, Matthew Belgodere, and Sarajian entered the lineup for Titus Sandy, Jr., Haruna, and Yutaro Tsukada.

Tristan Himes started in goal behind a back line of Rhein, Jaylen Yearwood, Okonski, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Dylan Judelson and Gustavo Caraballo were the defensive midfielders behind Matthew Belgodere, Ignacio Gomez, and Harvey Sarajian with Pedro Leao up top.

This was a game of missed chances for OCB. The Young Lions took 17 shots in the 90 minutes, outshooting the opposition by eight. However, they only put four of those attempts on target. Adding to the frustration were defensive errors, allowing Mbongue to score the first goal and Okonski putting the ball into his own net for the second. However, the Cardiac Cats struck again, erasing a 2-0 deficit for the third time this season to claim something from the game.

The visitors nearly took the lead in the third minute when Baye Coulibaly played an excellent ball on the ground between Yearwood and Rhein, where Mbongue was making a run. He was in on goal, but Himes came off his line strong. Mbongue tried to play the ball past the OCB goalkeeper, but Himes got down to block it wide.

The Young Lions had a golden opportunity of their own in the eighth minute when Leao sent Sarajian down the right. The attacker was behind the back line as he dribbled into the box. Jake Mecham came out to cut down the angle, so Sarajian played the ball back to Leao at the penalty spot. But the forward missed the target.

Mecham went down injured at the top of his box in the 10th minute. After being examined by the medical staff, the Crown Legacy goalkeeper had to be replaced by backup Lazar Kalicanin.

It was the third time this season an OCB opposing goalkeeper had to leave the game. The situation occurred twice on March 22 against Inter Miami II at Inter&Co Stadium, resulting in a defender going into goal.

The visitors broke through for the first goal in the 18th minute when Nimfasha Berchimas found Andrej Subotic near the top of the OCB box. The midfielder immediately played the ball to Mbongue, splitting Judelson and Okonski, who stepped up and left space behind him. This time, Mbongue slipped the ball past Himes and in to give Crown Legacy the 1-0 lead.

The visitors won a corner kick in the 22nd minute when Yearwood headed Ashton Kamdem’s ball into the box over the end line. The ensuing set piece was headed wide to Subotic, who sent his header right to Himes.

Crown Legacy nearly made it 2-0 in the 27th minute when Mbongue found Subotic just inside the 18. The attacker looked like he would pass it outside, but cut inside to create space from Okonski. With a wide-open opportunity, Subotic fired on goal, sending his shot off the post.

Seconds later, Kamdem pulled back Caraballo, earning the game’s first yellow card. Caraballo’s ensuing set piece delivery into the Crown Legacy box was headed out by Jamie Smith for a corner kick.

Caraballo jogged over to take another set piece, sending it toward the top of the six-yard box. Gomez was making a run from the far side and volleyed the outswinging cross but put his attempt over the crossbar.

OCB players felt they should’ve had a penalty in the 33rd minute when Caraballo sent Sarajian into the Crown Legacy box. The attacker raced Kalicanin to the ball and referee Stefan Perri felt Kalicanin got a piece of the ball before contacting Sarajian, awarding OCB a corner kick instead.

The Young Lions weren’t able to create anything from the set piece and a Caraballo foul eventually ended the attack.

OCB nearly got a fortunate bounce in the 41st minute when a short clearance gave Judelson a shot from outside the box. Coulibaly blocked Judelson’s attempt, which deflected straight to Sarajian. After settling the ball, Sarajian shot. The ball deflected off Coulibaly and Leao, forcing Kalicanin to tip it wide.

The Young Lions were given a great opportunity in the first minute of stoppage time when Crown Legacy tried to play it out from the back. After receiving a short pass from Kalicanin, Jack Neeley played a terrible pass that Caraballo intercepted. The attacker had Leao and Sarajian making runs, opting to play it to the open Sarajian on the left side. Sarajian passed the ball behind Kalicanin, aiming for the far post, but he sent it wide.

It was a pretty even first half, with OCB creating more shots (7-4) but Crown Legacy put more on target (3-1). The Young Lions also finished with more crosses (5-4) and better passing accuracy (88.9%-86.8%), while both teams won three corner kicks.

Leao tried to score the goal of the week in the 48th minute, when Sarajian collected the ball and played it forward. The striker saw Kalicanin off his line and lifted the ball towards goal from his own half. He sent the attempt over Kalicanin’s head but well wide of the target.

Rhein and Gomez combined to send Leao behind the Crown Legacy back line in the 50th minute. The forward sent the ball toward the penalty spot for Sarajian, but Coulibaly got in front, deflecting it out for a corner kick. Rhein received the short corner and laid it off for Amoo-Mensah, whose shot was deflected out for another corner kick. This one was volleyed by Sarajian off the crossbar. The Young Lions thought it hit a hand, but the referee decided it didn’t.

Emmanuel Uchegbu dribbled into the OCB box from the right in the 55th minute before Yearwood knocked it out of play for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was sent to the far post where Subotic was making a run, but his volley was into the outside of the net. Uchegbu had another attempt in the 58th minute when he cut inside and tried to curl the ball inside the far post. However, his attempt sailed high and wide of the target.

In the 59th minute, Caraballo played Amoo-Mensah toward the corner on the right and the right back’s cross was blocked out of play for another corner kick. Caraballo sent his set piece to the back post and found Sarajian’s head, but the attacker’s attempt was just over the crossbar.

On the other end, Crown Legacy doubled its advantage in the 61st minute. Adrian Mendoza received a pass from Uchegbu as he reached the top of the OCB box. The midfielder dribbled to the end line before sending a low cross into the six. He was looking for Mbongue, but Himes got a hand to it first. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off Okonski and in for an own goal, extending Crown Legacy’s lead to 2-0.

Berhimas was sent down the left and over the top in the 67th minute before Amoo-Mensah took him down — a foul that earned the left back a yellow card. Wilding used the stoppage to make his first change of the game, replacing Gomez with Haruna.

Just seconds after entering the game, Haruna had a chance at goal from the top of the box. Judelson played a low pass to Leao in the box and the striker laid it off for Haruna. It looked like the substitute would shoot with his first touch, but he cut inside to lose his defender first. He sent the left-footed attempt past a diving Kalicanin but just wide of the far post.

Wilding made a second change in the 73rd minute, replacing Leao with Dominik Baczewski.

In the 80th minute, Rhein played the ball back for Caraballo well outside the box. The midfielder took a shot that deflected off Erik Pena’s head and out for a corner kick.

Caraballo sent his set piece delivery beyond everyone and Rhein collected it on the other side. Again, he laid the ball off — this time for Haruna. The second-half substitute sent a rocket past Kalicanin and into the top left corner to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 80th minute.

Shortly after the game restarted, Wilding made three more changes. Nicolas Lasheras, Caleb Trombino, and Toryn Penders came on for Okonski, Judelson, and Belgodere.

In the 86th minute, Smith went down with a head injury, having to be replaced by Wyatt Holt. The concussion substitution gave the Young Lions a sixth change, which Wilding used in the 88th minute. Amoo-Mensah left the game and was replaced by Clovis Archange.

It looked like Sarajian was in on goal right after the restart when Caraballo made a good run through the midfield and sent Sarajian behind the back line. The midfielder opened up to curl the ball around Kalicanin, but he sent it well wide. The offside flag went up anyway, so it wouldn’t have counted had he converted.

The fourth official showed five minutes of stoppage time and it was just enough for OCB to find an equalizer. In the fourth minute, Baczewski flicked a long ball down the middle on to Archange. The substitute got the ball caught up in his feet, but he was able to get it to Baczewski. Receiving a pass back, Haruna played it to his right for Sarajian making a run into the box.

Sarajian had multiple golden opportunities to score earlier in the game, but he didn’t let this one slip by. The attacker sent the ball past Kalicanin and into the far corner to even the game at 2-2.

The Young Lions had a burst of energy after the equalizing goal. They created a corner in the dying moments before the whistle blew ending the 90 minutes.

At full time, OCB had the advantage in shots (17-9), shots on target (4-3), corner kicks (12-5), and passing accuracy (89.6%-83.7%). While the Young Lions created more chances, the number of shots on target was a significant factor in the result.

In addition to being the third game and second straight in which OCB came back from a 2-0 deficit, it’s the team’s third consecutive 2-2 draw.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, the two teams earned a point and the game went to penalties to see which would get a second.

Caraballo, Mbongue, Rhein, and Pena converted to begin the shootout, making it 2-2 after two rounds. The key moment came in the first attempt of the third round when Kalicanin got a foot on Sarajian’s attempt down the middle, keeping it out. Neeley then converted his attempt to give the visitors the advantage.

Himes needed to make a save to keep his team in the shootout but, while Penders and Trombino both converted, so did Nathan Richmond and Daniel Longo. As a result, Crown Legacy took the extra point by winning the shootout 5-4. It was the first shootout this season the Young Lions haven’t won.

The point sees the Young Lions settle in sixth place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, 10 points behind Crown Legacy, who lead the conference.

OCB will take the field again on May 10 when it will face Atlanta United 2 in Athens, GA.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Chicago Fire FC II: Final Score 2-2 (4-2) as Young Lions Storm Back to Draw, Win Shootout

The Young Lions came from two goals down to tie the game and earn two of the three available points in Chicago.

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2 weeks ago

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April 26, 2026

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Image of Gustavo Caraballo closing down a Chicago Fire II player.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (2-2-3, 12 points) pulled off a last-second result today at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL, drawing 2-2 with Chicago Fire FC II (1-2-4, 10 points). The hosts took a 2-0 halftime lead through Dean Boltz and Darris Hyte before the Young Lions came storming back. An own goal by Chicago goalkeeper Owen Pratt and a header in the dying seconds by Nicolas Lasheras saw OCB get something from the contest.

The Young Lions then took a second point by winning the ensuing penalty shootout 4-2.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made three changes to the team that drew Carolina Core FC 2-2 on April 19. Titus Sandy, Jr., Yutaro Tsukada, and Ignacio Gomez entered the lineup, replacing Bernardo Rhein, Dominik Baczewski, and Matthew Belgodere.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Tristan Himes was Jaylen Yearwood, Sandy, Landon Okonski, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Gomez and Dylan Judelson were the defensive midfielders behind Tsukada, Issah Haruna, and Gustavo Caraballo, with Pedro Leao up top.

OCB was the better team throughout the 90 minutes, but poor finishing and mistakes in the back cost them. A Boltz penalty and Hyte goal just before halftime gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break. But the Young Lions came out strong in the second half, dominating the 45 minutes. They outshot Chicago 7-1 in the final 45 minutes as the Fire desperately tried to hold onto the advantage. It looked like they would before a corner kick during the final attack was headed in by Lasheras, avoiding a tough loss.

The first significant moment in the game came in the fourth minute when Judelson fouled Hyte near the end line on the left side of the OCB box. The ensuing set piece was cleared out by Amoo-Mensah for the game’s first corner kick.

The set piece to the near post resulted in a collision between Jack Sandmeyer and Sandy. Both players went down and required medical attention. Neither player was able to continue with Sandmeyer being replaced by Emir Herrera and Sandy by Albright Chikamso.

OCB’s first chance of the game came in the 17th minute when Damian Nigg tripped Tsukada in the Chicago third of the field. The left wing took the set piece himself after earning it, curling it into the Chicago box. However, it was too close to Pratt, who had no trouble catching the ball.

Tsukada created another chance in the 21st minute and it should’ve been the game’s first goal. The midfielder made a strong run to the end line, creating enough space for a low cross to the near post where Gomez was making a run. The Argentine got his foot to the ball but was unable to redirect it on target, sending it wide of the left post.

Chicago’s first real chance of the game came in the 24th minute when Nigg sent a quality ball down the right for Damyan Villanueva. The attacker cut inside before shooting between Chikamso and Judelson. Villanueva curled the ball around Himes, aiming for the far post, but he sent the attempt wide.

OCB created a pair of chances in the 27th minute, starting with Tsukada’s curling ball into the box that Pratt beat Leao to. The hosts tried to play the ball out of the back, but a poor pass allowed the Young Lions to retake possession. Tsukada ended up with the ball again on the left and fired through Nigg. However, this attempt was right to Pratt.

The Fire got their first shot on target in the 30th minute when Hyte sent a cross into the box that was headed out by Okonski. Robert Turdean took possession inside the OCB box, finding striker Boltz. He used a nice touch to beat his defender and forced Himes into a quality save.

The ensuing corner kick was headed out, but only to Herrera, still in the box. The substitute’s first touch was a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

The Young Lions tried to play the ball out of the back, but Leao gave up possession just outside the box. OCB briefly won it back, but Okonski lost it again and Boltz was in on goal as Himes came out. The striker went down after contact with Himes and the referee pointed to the spot, awarding the hosts a penalty.

Boltz stepped up to the spot to take the penalty himself. He sent Himes the wrong way, calmly playing it in to give Chicago the 1-0 lead.

The Young Lions created an attempt in the 37th minute when Yearwood laid it off for Gomez 25 yards from goal. The young attacker shot from distance but his attempt curled high and wide of the target.

A minute later, Judelson sent a ball forward that Josue Pfrommer appeared to have covered. However, the left back played a weak ball for Pratt, allowing Caraballo to take possession. Pratt came off his line as Caraballo tried to chip him. The goalkeeper got a piece of the ball, sending it to Gomez, who put it on target. But Chris Cupps was in position to clear it away.

Again, Chicago failed to clear the ball, giving it back to OCB in the hosts’ own third of the field. Caraballo received it near the top of the box before Oscar Pineda fouled him. The Homegrown midfielder took the set piece, sending it wide of the near post.

The Fire went the other way, with Villanueva playing Hyte into the box. The midfielder cut his way to the end line before playing a cross that was blocked out by Okonski for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece was sent to the near post, just over Boltz’s head. Unfortunately, Hyte got his foot to the ball, putting it past Himes and into the roof of the net, giving Chicago a commanding 2-0 lead.

Chicago had a chance to make it three in the 45th minute when Haruna took Turdean down in the OCB half of the field. The set piece into the box found Cupps’ head, but the center back sent the ball over the crossbar.

Boltz had a great chance to score his second of the game in the third minute of stoppage time when Turdean made a run to the top of the OCB box. The midfielder played Hyte to the top of the six, but Okonski got there first. Unfortunately, his short clearance went right to Boltz, whose first touch was a shot over the crossbar.

That was the last chance of the half by either team as OCB went into the locker room trailing 2-0. After 45 minutes, both teams had seven shots, with OCB putting one more on target (4-3). Chicago had more corner kicks (4-1) — with one resulting in a goal — while the Young Lions had more crosses (3-1) and better passing accuracy (87.1%-82.5%).

Wilding made one halftime change, replacing Gomez with Baczewski.

OCB had the first chance of the second half in the 48th minute when Judelson intercepted a Pfrommer pass out of the back. The defensive midfielder played it through Caraballo to Baczewski, who found Tsukada on the left. The midfielder cut inside to create space from Nigg before firing high and wide of the target.

The Young Lions got a goal back in the 51st minute after Boltz headed Tsukada’s free kick into the box over the end line. Tsukada sent his ensuing corner kick to the near post on the goal line. Pratt got his hands to it but knocked it into his own goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Tsukada had a great chance to equalize in the 59th minute when Okonski sent him behind the back line. The midfielder was in on goal, but Pratt did well to come off his line, getting a hand to the chip. It went right back to Tsukada, who tried to put it on goal, but Omar Gonzalez cleared it out of play.

The ensuing corner kick was onto the top of the net, ending the attack.

Tsukada conceded possession in the 77th minute but was fouled as he chased after Chicago’s attacker. The set piece into the box was headed to the top of the 18, where Amoo-Mensah fired, but the shot was blocked out of play.

The ensuing corner kick landed on top of the net, allowing Wilding to make two more substitutions. Lasheras and Belgodere came on for Leao and Tsukada

Wilding made his final change of the game in the 90th minute, replacing Okonski with Brady Kendall.

OCB had one last chance in the dying seconds and the Young Lions took advantage. Amoo-Mensah received a pass into the box before sending a low cross in front of the goal. While nobody was making a run to the top of the six, Charles Nagle could only send the ball out of play for a corner kick.

Everybody was in the Chicago box for the last-second chance to equalize as Caraballo lifted the ball in. Lasheras got his head to it near the back post, putting his attempt in untouched to even the game at 2-2.

At full-time, OCB had the advantage in shots (14-8), shots on target (7-3), crosses (5-1), corner kicks (6-5), and passing accuracy (89.4%-84.4%). But it took a last-second desperation goal to get anything from the contest.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, each team earned a point form the game and they went to penalties to see who would get the extra point.

Conversions by Caraballo, Boltz, and Judelson led to the first significant moment of the shootout when Pineda hit the crossbar. Unfortunately, Baczewski was unable to give OCB the advantage, as his poor penalty was easily saved by Pratt.

Nigg and Kendall then converted on their attempts before Jhoiner Montiel shot a similar penalty to Bacewski’s, allowing Himes to make the stop. That gave Amoo-Mensah a chance to end the game and he did. The right back sent a hard shot past Pratt, ending the shootout and giving the Young Lions a second point.

While a loss would’ve had OCB out of the playoff places, the two points places the Young Lions sixth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. They’re a point behind Atlanta United 2 for fifth and two points behind Philadelphia Union II and Columbus Crew 2 for third.

The Young Lions will return home a week from tonight as they host Crown Legacy FC at Osceola County Stadium.

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