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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Columbus Crew 2: Final Score 2-2 as OCB Squanders Late Lead

OCB conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 with Columbus Crew 2 before losing the penalty shootout, dropping two points at home.

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1 month ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (7-4-5, 29 points) let a late lead get away, drawing 2-2 with Columbus Crew 2 (9-4-4, 34 points) tonight at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. The visitors took the lead in the 37th minute through Johann Chirinos before Justin Hylton scored a second-half brace. But an 89th-minute equalizer by Kevin Gbamble and two balls off the woodwork in the penalty shootout saw OCB drop two points at home.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made five changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Philadelphia Union II on June 21. Juan Rojas, Titus Sandy, Jr., Clovis Archange, Gustavo Caraballo, and Harvey Sarajian entered the lineup, replacing Tristan Himes, Landon Okonski, Albright Chikamso, Ignacio Gomez, and Hylton.

Rojas started in goal behind a back line of Bernardo Rhein, Archange, Sandy, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Issah Haruna, Dylan Judelson, Matthew Belgodere, and Gustavo Caraballo were the midfielders behind Pedro Leao and Sarajian.

Lightning in the area put the game into a weather delay that lasted nearly two hours. While the game was scheduled to start at 7 p.m., the kickoff finally occurred at 8:56 p.m.

The Young Lions began the game on the attack, creating the first chance inside the first minute. After forcing a turnover with the high press, Belgodere found Caraballo on the right side of the field. The midfielder’s first touch was a volley to Sarajian near the penalty spot. Unfortunately, Sarajian couldn’t put the ball on target, sending it wide.

A long ball over the midfield stripe in the fifth minute was touched on for Caraballo on the right. The attacker made a long run to the box, dribbling across the top of the 18 before firing on goal. The shot was directed inside the far post, forcing Stanislav Lapkes to dive to his right to tip it wide. Rhein’s ensuing set piece was cleared away and OCB was unable to get a second chance during the attack.

The visitors had their first chance in the 11th minute when Brent Adu-Gyamfi made a run from the right into the OCB box. His low cross was blocked, creating a chaotic scene in front of the goal as the Young Lions were unable to clear. Eventually, Gbamble was able to get a shot off, but Rojas was there to block it.

Chirinos played a lovely ball through the OCB back line for Oneal Taylor making a run behind Rhein in the 13th minute. The attacker had space for a shot, but he let the ball get too far in front of him. As a result, his shot went well wide, causing no concern for Rojas.

A Judelson turnover in his own third resulted in a chance for Columbus in the 18th minute. Crew 2 worked the ball around to the right, resulting in a dangerous pass across the six-yard box by Chirinos. Zachary Zengue was there to touch it in, but he couldn’t get a solid foot on it, allowing the ball to continue rolling through.

Two minutes later, Sandy knocked the ball off of Gbamble’s foot, but it went right to Taylor just inside the box. This time, the attacker put his shot on target, sending it straight at Rojas.

OCB was unable to get the ball out of its own third, allowing Columbus to retain possession. Prince Forfor sent a cross into the box that Sandy cleared over the end line for a corner kick. Zengue played the ensuing set piece short to Taylor, who gave it right back. Sarajian blocked his shot. Zengue retook possession and fired a second shot that Rojas blocked wide.

An excellent ball forward for Gbamble in the 26th minute sent the attacker deep into the OCB half of the field. He dribbled inside to create some space from Sandy before taking a shot toward the near post. However, Sandy was able to get a piece of the ball, deflecting it wide for a corner kick. The set piece was short to Chirinos, but Amoo-Mensah blocked his first cross, then knocked a second cross out of play. The second set piece found Issac Heffess at the near post, but the center back sent his header attempt wide.

Chirinos intercepted a poor pass by Caraballo for Judelson in the 32nd minute. The midfielder’s second touch was a pass to Zengue, who was even with the back line. The striker tried to beat Rojas to his near post but sent the attempt just wide.

Crew 2’s high press caused problems for OCB in the 37th minute, resulting in the game’s first goal. Rojas played the ball to Haruna at the top of the box and the midfielder immediately lost possession to Chirinos. The Columbus midfielder took a shot toward the near post that took a deflection off Archange and rolled softly into the goal.

Haruna turned the ball over again in his own half in the 42nd minute, creating a chance for Columbus to double its lead. Chirinos quickly played it forward to Taylor, who shot from distance. However, this attempt was well over the target.

A Caraballo turnover in his own third in the second minute of stoppage time created one final first-half chance for Crew 2. Forfor dribbled around Caraballo and Amoo-Mensah before lifting a cross towards goal. Fortunately, it landed on top of the net, ending the first 45 minutes.

The visitors dominated the first half with more shots (12-2), shots on target (4-1), and corner kicks (3-1). OCB had slightly better passing accuracy (88.7%-88.2%) and kept the game close, only trailing by one at the break despite repeatedly turning the ball over in its own half.

Wilding made a halftime change. Leao, who went down after a tough challenge late in the first half, was replaced by Hylton.

It didn’t take long for the substitute to get involved. In the 46th minute, he dribbled through Rui Aoki before sending the ball across the field for Caraballo. The young attacker carried the ball to the top corner of the box before sending the ball into Lapkes’ arms.

Crew 2 created its first second-half chance in the 49th minute when Moses Nyeman found Zengue near the top of the OCB box. After a couple of touches, the striker sent a hard, low shot toward the near post that went just wide.

An OCB turnover in the final third was cleared long and nearly resulted in a second goal for Columbus. Zengue got behind Archange, controlling the ball and entering the OCB box. He sent his attempt past Rojas and nearly snuck it inside the near post, but it hit the outside of the net instead.

Judelson turned the ball over to Gbamble off the restart, creating a chance for the visitors. Gbmable played the ball to Chirinos at the top of the box and the midfielder’s shot went wide.

Nyeman lifted the ball to the left for Forfor in the 53rd minute. The attacker dribbled toward the end line before sending the ball on goal from a tight angle. Rojas was forced to block it over the end line for a Columbus corner kick. The Crew played the ensuing short corner to Chirinos approaching the top of the OCB box. The midfielder sent a hard shot on target that forced Rojas to block it away and end the threat.

OCB quickly went the other way and nearly scored an equalizer. Belgodere made a run down the left to get onto a long, cross-field ball. After controlling the ball and taking a touch inside, he backheeled the ball to Hylton at the top of the box. The halftime substitute unleashed a shot that appeared to be heading over the bar. But he kept it down, sending his attempt off the post.

The Young Lions created another chance in the 55th minute when Hylton passed into the path of Caraballo’s overlapping run on the right. The attacker sent the ball to the top of the six for Sarajian, but his attempt was wide of the near post.

Sarajian went down in the 61st minute and required attention, giving Wilding a chance to make three changes. Caleb Trombino, Gomez, and Logan Tsopanoglou came into the game for Judelson, Caraballo, and Sarajian.

Gomez made his presence felt in the 66th minute when he sent a low, hard shot toward goal. Lapkes blocked the attempt, but knocked the rebound into the worst possible spot right in front of the goal. Hylton was trailing the play and knocked it in to even the game at 1-1.

Wilding made his fifth and final change at the center back position in the 71st minute, replacing Archange with Chikamso.

Trombino passed to Tsopanoglou just outside the box in the 73rd minute, shielding his defender and Belgodere on the left. The midfielder dribbled to the end line before finding Tsopanoglou at the top of the six. The substitute’s shot was on target, forcing Lapkes into a diving one-handed save. However, it fell right to Hylton, who scored his second goal of the night and gave his team a 2-1 lead.

Zengue played the ball wide right for Adu-Gyamfi in the 80th minute, continuing his run and receiving it back. His shot was on target and forced Rojas to block the attempt. As the ball went straight up in the air, Gbamble was in position to head it in. But Rojas pushed the ball wide, allowing Rhein to clear.

Crew 2 created a chance in the 83rd minute when Alex Gimple received a pass and turned his defender before finding Zengue near the top of the OCB box. The forward immediately continued the ball wide right for Adu-Gyamfi who shot, forcing Rojas to dive and tip the ball wide.

Christopher Rogers lifted the ball long for Gimple in the 84th minute, putting the second-half substitute in a position for a shot. The attempt was wide of the near post, though Rojas appeared to have it covered.

Zach Lloyd pushed forward from his center back position in the 87th minute, playing a give-and-go with Gimple before sending a shot wide of the near post.

Amoo-Mensah took the ball to his own corner flag in the 89th minute, looking to waste time rather than clearing it when he had the chance. That turned out to be a mistake when he lost possession. Quick passing by Columbus resulted in an unmarked Gbamble receiving the ball with space about eight yards out. The attacker passed the ball into the empty goal to even the game at 2-2.

Having conceded the late lead, OCB now had to go on the attack. Haruna passed to Belgodere on the left and the midfielder took his defender one-on-one before sending a shot over the target.

The final chance came in the third minute of stoppage time when Rhein threw the ball in right to the Crew’s Jamil Danjaji. The substitute found Zengue making a run into the box, but Rojas did well to come out and block the ball out of play. Crew 2 was unable to create anything from the ensuing corner kick and the game ended 2-2.

At full time, Crew 2 had the advantage in shots (24-11), shots on target (10-6), corner kicks (4-1), and passing accuracy (89%-88.1%). But it was OCB that let the late lead get away, dropping points at home.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, games tied after 90 minutes go to a penalty shootout to see which team earns a second point.

The shootout started with some excellent penalties. Hylton, Tsopanoglou, and Trombino converted for OCB while Chirinos, Adu-Gyamfi, and Zengue converted for Columbus.

In the fourth round, Gomez sent Lapkes the wrong way but hit the right post. Immanuel Ewing then stepped up and converted to give his team the 4-3 lead heading into the final round.

Rhein calmly put his penalty away and shushed Lapkes. But the visitors still had an opportunity to end it. Nicolas Rincon didn’t appear to be the most confident penalty taker and Rojas guessed correctly, diving to his right to make the stop and keeping his team in it.

Unfortunately, Chikamso was too confident with OCB’s sixth attempt as the shootout entered sudden death. The center back attempted a panenka but hit the crossbar, the second time OCB hit the woodwork in the shootout. Danjaji then stepped up and placed his attempt in the top corner, giving the visitors two points on the night.

It’s a disappointing result for the Young Lions, who were seconds away from claiming all three points. But they remain in fifth in the Eastern Conference with 29 points, two behind third place and three behind Crown Legacy FC for second.

Having ended this two-game homestand, the Young Lions will now head out on the road as they face Crown Legacy FC next Sunday at 7 p.m.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. New York City FC II: Final Score 3-0 as Young Lions Fall Again

OCB falls for the third straight time, continuing its drop down the table.

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3 hours ago

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August 11, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (8-7-7, 35 points) was completely outplayed in a late morning kickoff today, falling 3-0 to New York City FC II (9-7-4, 33 points) at Icahn Stadium in New York City. Kevin Pierre and Maximo Carrizo scored three minutes apart to give the hosts an early 2-0 lead. Carrizo then scored a second in the 51st minute to seal the victory.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made several changes to the team that lost 4-2 to Connecticut United FC on Aug. 1. Albright Chikamso, Clovis Archange, Caleb Trombino, Brady Kendall, and Nicolas Bobea Torres entered the lineup, replacing Landon Okonski, Tahir Reid-Brown, Ignacio Gomez, Nicolas Lasheras, and Issah Haruna.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Tristan Himes was made up of Archange, Chikamso, Titus Sandy, Jr., and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Trombino and Justin Hylton were the defensive midfielders behind Matthew Belgodere, Kendall, and Torres, with Pedro Leao up top.

OCB was never really in this game from the start. NYCFC II dominated the chances early and never let go of control of the game. NYCFC II goalkeeper Mac Learned wasn’t threatened and was rarely called into action as New York handled the Young Lions with relative ease.

NYCFC II created the first chance of the game in the sixth minute when Juan Ponce sent Cooper Flex to the end line. As the attacker attempted to cross the ball into the box, Hylton slid in to block it out of play.

The short corner kick was sent through the box to El Hadji Samb on the far side. The attacker played the ball in front of goal before Ponce cleared the ball to the top corner of the box. However, Amoo-Mensah blocked his shot.

Four minutes later, the hosts took the lead. Carrizo sent a dangerous ball down the right for Samb, whose first touch was a low cross into the box. Sandy and Flex attacked the ball, and it popped out to Pierre. The midfielder guided the ball past Himes to give NYCFC II the 1-0 lead.

OCB quickly went the other way and created a chance. Leao received a pass from Sandy and flicked it forward, sending Torres behind the back line. Driving down the right, the attacker let his touch get a little too far in front of him, allowing Learned to come out and block Torres’ attempted chip.

NYCFC II took advantage of a terrible mistake by Himes in the 13th minute for the second goal. Sandy played a pass back to Himes with plenty of time and space. However, the goalkeeper misplayed his pass out of the back, giving it straight to Carrizo. The first-team player calmly passed the ball past Himes to make it 2-0.

The Young Lions created their second chance in the 15th minute when the high press caused a turnover. Archange dribbled to the end line before lifting a cross to the top of the six-yard box. A poor clearance went to Leao, but the striker was unable to get over the ball, sending his attempt over the target.

As NYCFC II broke on a counterattack in the 27th minute, Carrizo played a beautiful ball forward for Seymour Reid. It looked like the forward would be in on goal, but Sandy did well to catch up and force the shot wide of the far post.

OCB went on the attack with numbers in the 36th minute. Torres carried the ball over the midfield stripe before finding Belgodere on the left. The midfielder tried to find space for a shot but was well defended. He laid the ball off for Trombino, who took a first-touch shot, but it was blocked, ending the attack.

Belgodere used some nifty footwork in the 40th minute to create enough space for a cross. Leao volleyed the ball on target with a scissor kick at the back post, forcing Learned into an excellent save. However, it wouldn’t have counted as the flag went up for offside.

At halftime, NYCFC II had more shots (6-4) and shots on target (2-1), while each team won one corner kick. It could’ve been a bigger deficit for OCB, but NYCFC II was offside five times.

The hosts continued to cause problems for OCB, creating their first chance less than a minute after the restart. Flax took the ball off Amoo-Mensah’s foot in the OCB third, creating an attack for the hosts. Jonathan Lopez found Reid just outside the box and the forward unleashed a shot, but Chikamso was there to block it wide.

The Young Lions gave the ball away in their own end again in the 50th minute as Sandy played a pass out of the back directly to Flax. The young attacker’s sent a long-distance shot sailing wide of the target.

Less than a minute later, NYCFC II scored its third goal of the game. Leao headed a long ball out of the back to Kendall, whose header was right to Carrizo. The ball ended up with Flax on the left and, after Sandy blocked his first cross, the midfielder found Carrizo near the top of the box. Carrizo did well to place the ball past Himes to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead.

Ponce played Reid toward the end line in the 53rd minute, and the forward attempted to cross the ball, but Sandy did well to slide in and block it. The Young Lions quickly went the other way and created their own chance. Kendall found Belgodere on the left, and the midfielder dribbled inside before being tripped up. The ball found Torres, whose second touch was a shot that forced a diving, one-handed save from Learned.

Wilding made his first change of the game in the 55th minute, replacing Trombino with Lasheras.

Peter Molinari played a long diagonal ball for Samb in the 56th minute, sending the hosts into the OCB third of the field. The forward sent a ball into the middle for Reid, who split Amoo-Mensah and Sandy to find space in front of goal. His first touch was a redirection that went just wide of the near post.

Flax received a pass in the OCB third in the 59th minute before laying it back for Molinari and making a run behind the back line. Molinari’s first touch was a pass forward for Flax, sending the attacker in on goal. Lasheras pulled at the attacker, causing his shot to roll wide of the far post.

Ponce received a pass on the left from Pierre and attempted a rabona cross in the 60th minute that Archange headed to the top of the box. Pierre collected the clearance and took a shot that Lasheras got in front of.

Kendall lost possession as he attempted to carry the ball out of the OCB third, allowing NYCFC II to get back on the attack. Lopez dribbled into the box and took a shot that Chikamso was able to slide in and block.

Wilding made two more changes in the 63rd minute as Jakob Garcia and Hector Aguirre replaced Torres and Kendall.

Samb was sent to the end line in the 72nd minute before playing it back for Ponce at the top corner of the box. The attacker had plenty of space and attempted to beat Himes to the top far corner. However, he sent his shot just wide.

Wilding made his final two changes in the 77th minute, bringing on two new players for OCB. Deshnick Nikeh and Landon Mellecker came on for Chikamso and Belgodere.

NYCFC II nearly scored a fourth in the 79th minute when Molinari sent Reid behind the OCB back line. Himes came off his line quickly to cut down Reid’s angle and blocked the shot wide.

Drew Kerr sent Reid behind the OCB defense and into the box in the 82nd minute. Himes came out, forcing Reid to turn with the ball away from the goal. The forward turned and tried to beat Himes to his near post but sent his attempt into the outside of the net.

The final chance of the game came in the third minute of second-half stoppage time when Mellecker fouled David Duque 25 yards from goal. The ensuing set piece found Eoin Martin, who sent his headed attempt wide of the far post.

At full time, NYCFC II held the advantage in shots (18-6), shots on target (4-3), corner kicks (6-2), and passing accuracy (90.7%-87.8%).

OCB has now lost three straight games as the Young Lions slide down the Eastern Conference standings. They now sit in sixth place, just one point ahead of Atlanta United 2 and Connecticut United FC, who sit in the final playoff spots. They’re just two points ahead of NYCFC II and Chicago Fire II, who are in ninth and 10th. All of those teams have at least one game in hand on OCB.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Young Lions as they have two more road games before heading home. The upcoming matches are against Chicago and Atlanta, making them crucial for staying in the playoff positions. They then head home to take on first-place Crown Legacy FC.

OCB’s road trip continues Saturday when the Young Lions face Chicago Fire FC II at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. Huntsville City FC: Final Score 1-0 as Young Lions Listless In Home Loss

The Young Lions were embarrassed at home by Huntsville City FC.

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2 weeks ago

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July 26, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (8-5-7, 35 points) was completely shut down tonight, falling 1-0 to Huntsville City FC (7-7-5, 28 points) at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. The lone goal came from Zidane Yanez in the 64th minute, one of the game’s few decent chances.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Chattanooga FC on July 18. Parker Amoo-Mensah, Albright Chikamso, and Landon Okonski replaced Titus Sandy, Jr., Clovis Archange, and Dylan Judelson.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Juan Rojas was made up of Tahir Reid-Brown, Chikamso, Okonski, and Amoo-Mensah. Ignacio Gomez and Caleb Trombino were the defensive midfielders behind Gustavo Caraballo, Issah Haruna, and Matthew Belgodere with Pedro Leao up top.

Despite the narrow scoreline, this was probably OCB’s worst performance of the season. The Young Lions weren’t able to get anything going offensively, taking just three shots and failing to put any on target. A 47th-minute blocked shot from Leao was OCB’s last chance of the game. The goal by Yanez was all that Huntsville needed to claim all three points.

The visitors had the first chance of the game when former Lion Thomas Williams took the ball off Leao’s foot and charged into the OCB third of the field. The OCB striker stuck his leg out in an attempt to win the ball back, tripping Williams and earning a yellow card.

Charles Brunet stepped up to take the set piece and went for goal. However, he sent his attempt high and wide of the target.

Amoo-Mensah tried to play the ball forward down the right in the ninth minute, but Reed Baker-Whiting blocked the ball, allowing Jordan Knight to take possession. The attacker tried to split Okonski and Amoo-Mensah, but Okonski knocked the ball out of play for a corner kick.

Amoo-Mensah cleared the ensuing set piece, but only to Aiden Jarvis at the top of the box. The forward volleyed the ball without getting much on it, allowing Rojas to make the easy save.

In the 12th minute, Belgodere split his defenders, attempting to enter the box from the right before Knight tripped him. Amoo-Mensah took the free kick, sending a hard shot towards the far post that went wide.

Huntsville nearly opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Baker-Whiting sent Maximus Ekk past midfield on the right side. Baker-Whiting continued his run and Ekk found him as he neared the six-yard box. Fortunately, his shot with the outside of his right foot hit the outside of the net.

OCB had trouble keeping possession in its own third and turned it over again in the 39th minute. Brunet touched the ball off of Amoo-Mensah’s foot to Williams before receiving it back. The midfielder carried the ball to the top of the box before unleashing a shot that Rojas handled with ease.

Nigel Prince played a long diagonal ball for Knight on the left in the 41st minute. The attacker controlled the pass before laying it off for Baker-Whiting, who appeared to have enough space for a shot. However, he curled the ball so much that it went out of play for a throw-in.

After 45 minutes, Huntsville had the advantage in shots (6-2), shots on target (2-0), corner kicks (2-1), and passing accuracy (90.9%-88.8%). While the visitors had more chances and were closer to scoring, it was even at the break.

Haruna pushed Brunet off the ball in the 47th minute and darted into the Huntsville third of the field. He played it to his right for Leao before making a run between Prince and Williams. However, Leao continued with the ball to the top of the box before taking a shot that Prince blocked.

The ensuing short corner to Amoo-Mensah was crossed into the box. But the right back put too much on it, sending the ball beyond everyone and out of play.

Prince lifted the ball from midfield into the OCB box in the 53rd minute. Ekk headed it down for halftime substitute Malachi Molina, who volleyed it to the near post. Rojas did well to dive to his right, tipping it wide. The short corner ended up with Jarvis, but Trombino got in front of the attempt, allowing the Young Lions to clear.

Brunet received a pass entering the OCB third in the 62nd minute. He briefly lost possession, but got it right back and fired off a shot that sailed off target.

Wilding made his first change in the 63rd minute, replacing Gomez with Nicolas Lasheras. At the same time, Huntsville replaced Ekk with Yanez.

It was an inspired substitution by the visitors, as Yanez scored less than a minute after coming on. Quick passing saw Molina send Misei Yohizawa behind the back line. The attacker was able to cross the ball before it crossed the end line, finding Yanez right in front of goal. The 18-year-old attacker tapped it past Rojas to give Huntsville the 1-0 lead.

Now chasing the game, Wilding made three more changes in the 70th minute. Justin Hylton, Nicolas Bobea Torres, and Sandy entered the contest, replacing Caraballo, Trombino, and Chikamso.

With the Young Lions still unable to create anything in the attack, Wilding made his final change in the 81st minute, replacing Okonski with Brady Kendall.

Huntsville did well to keep control of the game while OCB searched for a goal. During one of the team’s few trips into the opposing third, Belgodere went down near the edge of the box, but referee Carlos Rodriguez saw it as a clean challenge.

The only shot for either team in the final 25 minutes was a Xavier Aguilar attempt from the top of the box in the first minute of stoppage time. However, Amoo-Mensah got in front, ensuring it didn’t go anywhere near Rojas’ goal.

The Young Lions had a final chance on a corner in the dying seconds, sending everyone — including Rojas — into the box. But Huntsville headed it away, securing the win away from home.

At full time, Huntsville had the edge in shots (13-3), shots on target (4-0), corner kicks (4-3), and passing accuracy (89.2%-87.7%). It was a deserved loss for OCB, which was lucky to lose by such a narrow margin.

OCB settles into fifth place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference after 20 games. The Young Lions are two points ahead of Atlanta United 2 and three points ahead of Red Bull New York II. However, they sit one point behind New England Revolution II, two behind Chattanooga FC, four behind Columbus Crew 2, and five behind league-leading Crown Legacy FC. So, the Young Lions could still challenge for the top spot or cling to one of the final playoff spots, depending on how they perform in the upcoming games.

The Young Lions will have to forget this one as they head back out on the road, taking on Connecticut United FC Saturday night.

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Orlando City B

Orlando City B vs. FC Cincinnati 2: Final Score 2-1 as OCB Claims Three Road Points

OCB claimed a hard-fought road victory at Cincinnati 2 `in Northern Kentucky.

Published

1 month ago

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July 12, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City B

Orlando City B (8-4-6, 33 points) defeated FC Cincinnati 2 (4-12-1, 14 points) 2-1 today at NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, KY. Issah Haruna gave the Young Lions the early lead, but Deiver Mosquera equalized in the 63rd minute. The deciding goal came from Matthew Belgodere in the 75th minute, securing the win.

OCB Head Coach Eddie Wilding made four changes to the team that drew Crown Legacy FC 1-1 on July 5. Landon Okonski, Tahir Reid-Brown, Caleb Trombino, and Belgodere entered the lineup, replacing Titus Sandy Jr., Bernardo Rhein, Dylan Judelson, and Harvey Sarajian.

Juan Rojas started in goal behind a back line of Reid-Brown, Clovis Archange, Okonski, and Parker Amoo-Mensah. Caleb Trombino and Ignacio Gomez were the defensive midfielders behind Belgodere, Haruna, and Gustavo Caraballo with Pedro Leao up top.

The Young Lions created the game’s first chance in the third minute when Caraballo intercepted a poor touch by Cincinnati in the OCB third of the field. The midfielder carried the ball into the opposing half and tried to play Leao through. Sami Lachekar got in the way, but the deflection went directly to Belgodere behind the back line. Goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek came off his line to cut down Belgodere’s angle and the midfielder waited too long, allowing Felix Samson to get back and block the shot.

Cincinnati had its first chance in the seventh minute when Trombino’s poor cross-field pass intended for Caraballo was touched by Charlie Holmes and collected by Mathias Vasquez. The forward sent Kristian Fletcher into the OCB third before Archange caught up in the box. The center back was able to tap the ball away, but it went to Holmes, but Okonski blocked his first-touch shot.

OCB had another chance in the 10th minute when Rojas senta short pass to Archange. The center back sent a long ball forward. Camden Sphire was the first to it, but the ball glanced off his head and got behind him. Haruna was there to collect and was in alone on goal. However, as Ayoub Laihar got back to provide pressure, Mrozek did well to get down and block the shot from the top of the box.

The Young Lions created a third chance in the 16th minute and finally converted. This time it was a long ball from Rojas that cleared three defenders and Belgodere, landing perfectly for Haruna. The midfielder did well with this one, striking the ball with his left foot and putting it in off the inside of the post at the far corner to give OCB a 1-0 lead.

Rojas’ assist was only the second by an OCB goalkeeper in the team’s nine-year history. The only one previously was on June 5, 2016, when Mark Ridgers assisted Michael Cox in the final minutes of a 4-3 loss to Louisville City FC.

In the 26th minute, Samson played a weak ball for Leonardo Oreiarena that Gomez intercepted. The Young Lions had numbers going forward, so Gomez sent Leao into the final third. The striker continued the ball wide left for Belgodere, who cut inside before shooting. However, there were three defenders around him and Samson blocked Belgodere’s shot.

Cincinnati came forward in the 28th minute when Stefan Charila sent Mosquera down the right. Reid-Brown defended the right back, forcing him to cut back and play it to Charila’s trailing run to the top of the box. The midfielder dribbled inside to find space and sent a shot through multiple defenders, but it was right at Rojas.

Gomez tried to flick the ball over his head in the 37th minute to beat Sphire but lost control. Sphire took possession and played it through Charila to Mosquera on the right with Reid-Brown on him. A quick cut inside gave Mosquera enough space for a shot that was right at Rojas.

Less than a minute later, Vasquez made a strong run into the OCB third, working hard to keep Archange from the ball. He played it centrally for Kristian Fletcher, who sent a right-footed shot toward goal. Since Fletcher’s shot was in the opposite direction he was moving, Rojas was leaning the wrong way. But he dove to his right and tipped the ball wide with a fantastic save, the first time he was challenged in the game.

Cincinnati finished the first half with more shots (5-4) and put more on target (3-2), but only one of those shots challenged Rojas. Meanwhile, OCB had more crosses (3-2) and better passing accuracy (86.3%-83.8%), and both teams won one corner kick in the first 45 minutes.

OCB got the second half off to an attacking start, creating the first chance in the 49th minute. Gomez lifted the ball to the right for Caraballo, who had plenty of space as he entered the Cincinnati box. The attacker opened up and attempted to curl the ball around Mrozek, but Holmes blocked the shot over the crossbar.

Reid-Brown sent a long ball down the left in the 58th minute for Belgodere. Caraballo was calling for the ball as he made a run down the middle into acres of space, and Belgodere eventually found him at the top of the box. However, Caraballo scuffed his shot weakly right at Mrozek, causing no trouble for the goalkeeper.

Shortly after the chance, Wilding made his first substitution of the game. Judelson, who usually starts but was on the bench for this game, came on for Trombino.

OCB created a chance in the 63rd minute when Leao found Belgodere to his left. The midfielder had plenty of space and fired off a hard shot that forced Mrozek to block away.

Cincinnati quickly went the other way and found the equalizer. With Okonski backpedaling, Mosquera made a long run into the OCB box before shooting past the sliding center back. The attempt was just beyond the reach of Rojas and off the inside of the post to even the game at 1-1.

The Young Lions tried to retake the lead in the 70th minute when Haruna carried the ball into the Cincinnati third before sending it wide for Belgodere. The midfielder played it centrally for Caraballo, but Samson blocked the shot. OCB kept possession, creating another opportunity. Okonski played the ball to Caraballo in the middle and he quickly found Leao just inside the box. The striker’s second touch was a shot that Samson deflected, allowing Mrozek to make the easy stop.

Wilding made two more changes in the 72nd minute, replacing Amoo-Mensah and Haruna with Sandy and Hylton.

The Young Lions finally retook the lead in the 75th minute. Caraballo made a long run from his own third into the Cincinnati third before sending it wide for Belgodere. The left-sided midfielder cut inside to lose his defender and beat Mrozek to the far post to give OCB the 2-1 lead.

The hosts nearly found another equalizer in the 83rd minute when Charila was sent down the right. Archange was on him and defended him physically, but Charila refused to go down the defender tapped the ball off his foot. Unfortunately, the Young Lions were slow getting back and it went right to Jack Mize. Okonski deflected Mize’s shot just wide of the far post.

Wilding made his final two changes in the 84th minute as Nicolas Bobea Torres and Brady Kendall came on for Leao and Caraballo.

Cincinnati came close again in the 85th minute when Samson played a ball wide for Nathan Gray. The second-half substitute sent a dangerous ball into the six-yard box with Mosquera making a run. Fortunately, it was just beyond Mosquera’s reach and skipped wide of the far post.

In the 89th minute, Chance Malilo played a short pass for Leonardo Oreiarena, who wasn’t closed down and took a shot from distance. It was a strong strike and on target, but went right to Rojas, failing to cause the OCB goalkeeper any trouble.

The Young Lions were defending for their lives as the game entered five minutes of stoppage time. In the final minute, Reid-Brown lifted the ball to the top of the six-yard box for Torres. He was behind his defender but couldn’t get over the ball, putting it over the crossbar.

At full time, OCB had more shots (12-10), shots on target (6-5), and better passing accuracy (87.3%-84.2%). Both teams ended the game with five crosses and two corner kicks.

The victory ends OCB’s three-game winless streak, but since the last matches were draws, the Young Lions are now unbeaten in three. The win also pushes them up to third place in MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, just one point behind Crown Legacy FC and Columbus Crew 2, though those teams have a game in hand. They’re also only three points ahead of Atlanta United 2 for seventh, so they need positive results in their upcoming games.

The Young Lions will end their three-game road trip on Saturday as they travel to Tennessee to take on Chattanooga FC.

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