Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Huntsville City FC: Final Score 1-0 as OCB Suffers Devastating Blow To Playoff Hopes
OCB’s loss to Huntsville City puts the Young Lions in a difficult position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Orlando City B (9-12-5, 35 points) suffered a tough loss at Osceola County Stadium tonight, falling 1-0 to Huntsville City FC (12-8-6, 46 points). Maximus Ekk’s 80th-minute goal was the difference as the Young Lions suffered a huge blow to their playoff hopes.
OCB deployed the same starting lineup that drew 1-1 with Inter Miami II on Sept. 14 and claimed the extra point on penalties. It’s the first time all season the Young Lions had the same lineup in consecutive games.
The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Tahir Reid-Brown, Thomas Williams, Hayden Sargis, and Riyon Tori. Colin Guske and Justin Hylton were the defensive midfielders behind Shak Mohammed, Justin Ellis, and Favian Loyola, with Thalles up top.
OCB came into this game with everything to play for. While the Young Lions started outside of the playoffs, three points would’ve seen them jump Carolina Core FC to sit in the eighth and final playoff spot. Unfortunately, they looked lethargic in this game, creating few chances for most of the 90 minutes. A late goal doomed the home side, as OCB lost their opportunity to control its own destiny.
The Young Lions created the game’s first opportunity in the 12th minute when Loyola lifted the ball into the Huntsville box. Tori got his head to the ball and put the attempt on target, but he wasn’t able to get much on it, providing Brian Schwake with an easy catch.
In the 17th minute, Mercado sent a long ball from inside his own box that found Loyola on the right. After using some nifty footwork to lose his defender, the attacker sent the ball across the box for Mohammed on the far side. OCB’s leading goal scorer fired for the near post, missing just wide. A minute later, Ellis made a run to the top of the Huntsville box, receiving a pass from Mohammed. After a quick give-and-go with Thalles, the attacker dribbled into the 18. He had one defender to beat before it was taken off his foot, and Philip Mayaka cleared it away.
The Young Lions lost the ball on the ensuing throw-in, creating Huntsville’s first chance of the night. Mayaka intercepted Tori’s pass and sent it forward for Alan Carleton. The former Atlanta United player’s second touch was behind the OCB back, line where Gunnar Studenhofft met it. The attacker touched the ball around Mercado and had an empty net, but hit the shot just wide of the near post.
Ellis was looking for another give-and-go with Thalles in the 20th minute, but the striker played it a little behind where Ellis wanted the ball. So, rather than entering the box, the young attacker fired from just outside of the box, sending his shot over the top.
The visitors used some quick passing in the 26th minute to create their first shot on target. Carleton played a give-and-go with Pep Casas and Studenhofft before taking a shot from the top of the box. It was an impressive buildup, but the shot left a lot to be desired, allowing Mercado to make an easy stop.
Loyola kept trying to make something happen on the right. Earlier in the half, he cut inside and shot from outside the box, but it was blocked by Tyshawn Rose. In the 32nd minute, he made the same move. This time he created enough space for a shot that went straight to Schwake.
Mayaka fouled Hylton in the 40th minute, giving OCB a free kick. The Young Lionis played it quickly, with Ellis making a run to the top of the box. The attacker took a low shot from distance, sending his attempt just wide of the near post.
In the 42nd minute, Carleton found space at the top of the box for a shot on goal. The midfielder put the attempt on target, but it was right at Mercado.
The OCB keeper rolled the ball out for Loyola, who immediately lost it in his own third of the field. After a Guske foul gave the visitors a free kick, Damien Barker John created a chance, weaving through OCB defenders to reach the top of the box. The midfielder fired a shot that was close enough to cause Mercado to jump but it went over the crossbar.
It was a tight first half with OCB having more shots (6-4) and crosses (1-0), while Huntsville had better passing accuracy (93.6%-89%). Both teams ended the half with two shots on target, and neither team won any corner kicks.
Rose received a pass forward in the 56th minute, heading towards the end line. The left back attempted a cross that was blocked out of play by Tori, earning the first corner kick of the game for either team. Zach Barrett climbed up to win the ensuing free kick, heading the attempt wide of the far post.
The Young Lions won their first corner kick in the 60th minute when Mohammed sent Reid-Brown down the left. The defender turned the corner to get into the box before the ball was knocked off his foot. It went to Mohammed, who continued his run and shot. However, Mayaka got in front to block it out of play. Hylton’s ensuing set piece found Williams’ head, but the defender sent his near-post attempt too close to Schwake, who dove to his right to make the stop.
Carleton found Knight in the 63rd minute and the forward’s second touch was a shot across the face of goal. It was past Mercado and rolled just wide of the far post.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg used the stoppage to make his first change of the game, replacing Loyola with Nico Rodriguez.
Mohammed received a pass from Hylton on the right side of the box in the 68th minute and stumbled through a pair of defenders before getting a shot off. However, he didn’t get much on it, and the ball rolled softly to Schwake. A minute later, Mohammed took a shot from just outside the box. The ball got past Schwake, rolling wide. It took a slight touch on the way, so OCB was awarded a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found Williams, but it was cleared away.
Barker John made a run into the OCB third of the field in the 71st before being fouled by Williams in a dangerous position. Casas took the set piece and went for goal, but the attempt was right to Mercado. A minute later, Guske’s outlet pass was intercepted, giving Barker John a chance to shoot from the top of the OCB box, but he sent his low shot wide.
On the other end, Rodriguez lifted the ball to the top of the box in the 73rd minute. Guske brought it down and laid it off for Ellis, whose shot rolled wide.
Goldberg made two more changes in the 78th minute as Jackson Platts and Titus Sandy Jr. came into the game for Tori and Thalles.
Moises Veliz played the ball to Mayaka in the 79th minute and the midfielder took a touch to beat Guske before firing from just inside the box. Mercado did well to get down and block it out of play for a corner.
The ensuing set piece was played to the top of the box where Ethan O’Brien lifted it behind the back line where Barrett was making a run. Mercado came off his line, but nobody followed Ekk. Barrett found his teammate and it was an easy tap-in for Ekk to give Huntsville the 1-0 lead.
Goldberg substituted his defensive midfield pairing in the 85th minute, the last two changes of the game for the Young Lions. Hylton and Guske were replaced by Jake Basinet and Dylan Judelson.
It took some desperate defending to keep Carleton from creating enough space for a shot in the 87th minute. Eventually, OCB got the ball off his foot, but it went to Real Gill behind him. The second-half substitute’s shot curled wide of the far post.
Rodriguez dribbled through several players in the 88th minute to reach the top of the Huntsville box. The Orlando City first-team player took a shot that was blocked.
Huntsville quickly went on the counterattack, sending numbers forward. Carleton received a pass and used a couple of stepovers to create enough space for a shot. He was close to doubling the advantage, but the attempt was just wide.
While OCB was searching for an equalizing goal, it was Huntsville creating the opportunities. In the third minute of stoppage time, Mayaka played the ball for Carleton at the top of the OCB box. The attacker’s shot was blocked wide by Mercado.
The visitors kept possession and Veliz dribbled into the right side of the OCB box. The Huntsville players thought they should’ve had a penalty when Veliz went down, but the challenge was shoulder to shoulder and the referee let play continue. Veliz popped right back up with the ball and played it back to Casas, who sent the ball across for Gill to fire on goal, but Mercado blocked that one too.
As the game entered the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time, the Young Lions created one last chance. Sandy sent the ball across the box, and Basinet did well to bring it down and lay it off for Ellis. The ball fell to one of the players you’d want on it as an OCB fan, but Ellis sent the attempt over the target.
That was the last chance for either team as Huntsville City won 1-0 to clinch a playoff spot.
Both teams created 14 shots on the night, but Huntsville put more on target (7-4) and passed more accurately (90.5%-86.6%). OCB compiled more corner kicks (3-2) and crosses (4-2), but it was the visitors that scored the decisive goal to claim all three points.
It’s a devastating loss for the Young Lions as results fell their way earlier in the day. Three points would’ve seen them move into the eighth and final playoff spot with two games remaining in the season. Instead, they sit in 10th in the Eastern Conference — three points behind Carolina Core FC — and need help if they hope to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive year.
While the Young Lions play Carolina next weekend, they also sit behind NYCFC II due to their -14 goal difference. As a result, they need to win their upcoming games and hope the New York-based side drops points.
OCB will look to bounce back in a must-win game against Carolina Core Saturday night at Truist Point in High Point, NC.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B Announces Schedule for 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Season
Find out where, when, and who the Young Lions of OCB will play in 2026.
The 2026 MLS NEXT Pro schedule was released today, telling us where, when, and who Orlando City B will play in the team’s fifth year in the league. The addition of Connecticut United FC sees the league expand to 30 teams, with 27 MLS reserve sides and three independent clubs.
The schedule remains at 28 games, with Orlando City B playing 14 at home and 14 away. OCB’s home games will once again take place at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.
OCB will start the 2026 season with a pair of home games, facing Huntsville City FC on Monday, March 2, and Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, March 8. The first away game of the season is slated for Saturday, March 14, when the Young Lions face Carolina Core FC in High Point, NC.
The Young Lions will also end the upcoming season with a two-game homestand. They face Toronto FC II on Sunday, Sept. 13, and Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, Sept. 20. All Decision Day games in the Eastern Conference will start at 2 p.m., and the Western Conference game times have yet to be announced.
The Young Lions will compete in the 16-team Eastern Conference as part of the Southeast Division. Connecticut joins the Northeast Division, and Chicago moves to the Southeast Division. As a result, OCB’s division will consist of Atlanta, Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, Chicago, Crown Legacy FC, Huntsville City FC, and Inter Miami II.
Once again, teams will only face those from their own conference, and OCB will play each team in its division three times. The Young Lions will face Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Chicago once at home and twice away. They’ll play Carolina, Crown Legacy, Huntsville, and Miami twice at home and once away.
The longest homestand this year is only two games, scheduled to happen four times, including the opening and closing matches of the season. OCB will spend the majority of July and August on the road with two three-game road trips, separated by an Aug. 19 home game against Huntsville City.
Unlike MLS and the NWSL, MLS NEXT Pro will play through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That spreads the games out a little more evenly than the other leagues. The busiest month is August, when OCB will play six games. The Young Lions are scheduled to play four games in March, May, June, and July, while only playing three times each in April and September.
Unsurprisingly, the most common day of the week the Young Lions will play is Sunday (18 times). They’ll play six times on Friday, twice on Wednesday, and once each on Monday and Friday. The most common kickoff time is 7 p.m. The Young Lions will play 20 games at that time, twice each at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and once at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m.
OCB is scheduled to play six times on the same day as either Orlando City or the Pride. On March 14, the Young Lions travel to Carolina at 3 p.m. while the senior Lions host CF Montreal at 7:30 p.m. They host Miami at 7 p.m. on May 24 — the same time the Pride face San Diego Wave FC in California. On July 18, OCB will face Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m. in Tennessee while the Pride play in Utah at 8:45 p.m. The Young Lions face Connecticut away at 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 while City plays the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. On Aug. 19, OCB hosts Chattanooga FC at 7 p.m., while Orlando City hosts Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Finally, on Aug. 22, the Young Lions will face Atlanta away at 7 p.m. while City hosts Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m.
Orlando City B’s 2026 Schedule
- Monday, March 2 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, March 8 — vs Chicago Fire FC II, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, March 14 — at Carolina Core FC, 3 p.m.
- Sunday, March 22 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 11 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 19 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 26 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
- Sunday, May 3 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, May 10 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, May 17 — at New England Revolution II, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, May 24 — vs Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, June 7 — vs Carolina Core FC, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13 — at Huntsville City FC, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, June 21 — vs Philadelphia Union II, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, June 28 — vs Columbus Crew 2, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, July 5 — at Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, July 12 — at FC Cincinnati 2, 6 p.m.
- Saturday, July 18 — at Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, July 26 — vs Huntsville City FC, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 1 — at Connecticut United FC, 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 12 — at New York City FC II, 5 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 16 — at Chicago Fire FC II, 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 19 — vs Chattanooga FC, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 22 — at Atlanta United 2, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 30 — vs Crown Legacy FC, 7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 4 — at Inter Miami CF II, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 13 — vs Toronto FC II, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 20 — vs Atlanta United 2, 2 p.m.
Orlando City
Four OCB Players Who Could Make MLS Debuts In 2026
Who are the most likely OCB players to make their first team-debuts during the 2026 season?
Orlando City has invested significantly in youth development since Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira arrived prior to the 2019 season. After signing just four players in the first five years after the club’s expansion announcement, Orlando City has signed 14 academy products to first-team deals in the last seven years.
While Muzzi departed the club this off-season, Moreira took over the role, so the emphasis developing homegrown talent is unlikely to change.
This past season alone, the club saw Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi make their first-team debuts. Additionally, Tahir Reid-Brown, despite not getting on the field, was on the senior side’s bench for four games.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most likely OCB players to join the first team for the 2026 season.
Tahir Reid-Brown, 19, Defender
The most likely player to make his first team debut in 2026 is 19-year-old fullback Reid-Brown. He’s already on an MLS contract and plays left back, a position currently of need for the Lions. The defender has been with the Young Lions for the last four years, making 56 appearances with 36 starts.
Reid-Brown initially played opposite Alex Freeman on the OCB back line before Freeman made the jump to the MLS squad and was replaced by Taifi, who also ended the 2025 campaign with the first team.
Adding to the likelihood that Reid-Brown might see playing time is the uncertainty at left back. Adrian Marin is the current projected starting left back, but the Spaniard was less than impressive in his first season with Orlando City. Unless the club signs more depth at that position before the season begins, you can exepct to see Reid-Brown get some MLS playing time before long.
Jackson Platts, 18, Defender
Another player who could see his first team debut in 2026 is center back Jackson Platts. The 18-year-old was a regular OCB starter alongside Thomas Williams in 2024 before being relegated to the bench in 2025. However, the starter alongside Williams last season was Hayden Sargis, who didn’t come from the academy and is currently out of contract.
Like all defensive positions, the Lions have a lack of depth that could provide opportunities for young players. The only center backs are Robin Jansson and David Brekalo, forcing the need for a backup. The club also traded Williams, opening more room.
Platts is also a versatile option. While his natural position is center back, he’s also spent time as an outside back and in the midfield. That versatility could result in him seeing MLS action this year.
Justin Hylton, 18, Forward
The OCB player that took the biggest leap in 2025 was unquestionably Justin Hylton. The teenager was a star for the U-17 team before making his professional debut for the Young Lions. Originally a backup, he soon became a focal point of the attack and created problems for opposing defenses.
Hylton made his OCB debut on June 1 and didn’t start until Aug. 23. But he was in the starting lineup for the final six games of the season and was a crucial part of the team’s late successes. He ended the season with 11 appearances, starting six games, and recording two assists.
The only issue for Hylton is that his position is currently not the most in need. Whether the club sees him up top or in the attacking midfield, there are players in front of him. However, we could see him make his debut in an Open Cup or Leagues Cup game, if not as a late substitute in the regular season.
Dylan Judelson, 17, Midfielder
Judelson is another player who joined OCB from the academy in 2025. He started the season on an academy contract but signed to the club’s second team on Aug. 5. The defensive midfielder was a key part of the team from day one, starting the first four games of the season.
In all, Judelson made 20 appearances in 2025 with nine starts. He was in and out of the lineup with Guske, Riyon Tori, and Jhon Solis also seeing time in the role. But the Canadian youth international was very solid when on the field.
Although the departure of Cesar Araujo works in Judelson’s favor, he’s still behind veterans Eduard Atuesta, Braian Ojeda, and Wilder Cartagena, as well as Guske and MLS U22 Initiative signing Luis Otavio, while Joran Gerbet is also under contract but will miss the first part of the season recovering from a knee injury.
It’s a crowded field in front of Judelson in his position group, meaning he’ll have the biggest uphill climb of the players mentioned in this column to make his first-team debut. However, we could see the teenager with the first team for the first time this year if his development continues and there are injuries and suspensions ahead of him on the depth chart.
After years of the academy failing to produce talent for the first team, Orlando City has become one of the league’s standard bearers. That’s likely to continue this season, and it might be the start of a successful professional career at the senior level for these young players.
Orlando City B
Orlando City Exercises Contract Option on OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg
Manuel Goldberg is back to lead the Young Lions of OCB in 2026 after the club exercised his contract option.
Orlando City announced today that the club has exercised the option on Orlando City B Head Coach Manuel Goldberg’s contract, keeping him in purple through 2026. The Young Lions’ boss enters his third season in the position in 2026 and his fifth overall with the team.
“Since taking over the role as head coach of OCB, Manu has done a tremendous job connecting with our MLS NEXT Pro players, developing their skillsets and preparing them for opportunities with the first team and beyond,” Orlando City General Manager & Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “His deep understanding of our player pathway and internal processes has been invaluable. The continuity Manu provides is critical for the career development of both our players and staff.”
Goldberg initially joined the club in 2022 as an assistant to Martin Perelman. When Perelman was promoted to first-team assistant, Orlando City announced Goldberg as his successor on March 11, 2024. At 30 years old, Goldberg became the youngest head coach in the short history of MLS NEXT Pro.
In his first season in the position, Goldberg led his team to a record of 11-9-9 (28 points), finishing fifth in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The Young Lions took fourth-seeded Chicago Fire FC II to penalties in the first round of the playoffs away from home, where they fell 5-4 to end their season.
The 2025 campaign was particularly disappointing, as the Young Lions failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2022. They finished the year with 28 points (9-13-6) and tumbled to 11th in the Eastern Conference after a promising start.
Overall, Goldberg has a record of 18-21-16 in 55 games leading the Young Lions. His draw in Chicago in 2024 (and subsequent penalty shootout loss) was his only playoff appearance. Meanwhile, his teams have been 9-7 in penalty shootouts over the past two seasons.
However, Goldberg has been successful in his primary objective of producing players for the first team. Since becoming head coach of OCB, three players — Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, and Zakaria Taifi — have signed Homegrown Player contracts, while Justin Ellis is seemingly on the brink of signing one as well. He’s also coached backup goalkeeper Javier Otero and, most notably, starting right back Alex Freeman, helping them develop into first-team contributors.
Goldberg began his coaching career at Israeli side Hapoel Katamon in 2015 following a three-year playing career in the country. He then joined Club Nautico Hacoaj in Buenos Aires, Argentina as an assistant coach from 2017 to 2019 before becoming a competitive program coach at Barça Academy PRO Miami. After two years in South Florida, he was hired by Orlando City as Perelman’s assistant with OCB.
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