Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Columbus Crew 2: Final Score 4-3 as OCB Loses First Road Game of 2024
OCB conceded twice in two minutes in the late stages, falling to Columbus Crew 2.
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Orlando City B (3-3-3, 13 points) lost its first away game of the season this afternoon, falling 4-3 to Columbus Crew 2 (4-3-2, 15 points) at Lower.com Field. Wilfredo Rivera and Shak Mohammed were the OCB goal scorers, while the third was an own goal by Ty Nero. Jayden Da, Chase Adams, and Gibran Rayo scored for the hosts, with the fourth being an own goal by Imanol Almaguer.
OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg only made one change to the team that earned a 3-1 win over New York Red Bulls II last Wednesday night. Yutaro Tsukada was out of the team after joining the first team on a short-term contract. His spot in the starting lineup went to fellow first-team attacker Favian Loyola.
The back line for the Young Lions in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Manuel Cocca, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske were the defensive midfielders behind Jhon Solis, Mohammed, and Loyola with Rivera starting up top.
This will be considered three points lost for OCB. The Young Lions took an early lead in both halves and, without three poor minutes, might’ve been able to return home with all three points. They dominated the chances throughout the game and led in every major statistical category at halftime and full time. However, their inability to hold onto the two leads is something that will haunt this team as it takes an extended break.
OCB was the early aggressor, creating an attack in the opening seconds through Rivera and Loyola. However, Loyola lost possession on the right. The Young Lions restarted their attack, resulting in the first shot of the game. Solis lifted the ball into the box and Rivera met it, attempting a volley to the far post. He didn’t hit it well and the ball rolled harmlessly wide of the target.
The Young Lions created their second attack in the third minute when Mohammed made a run down the end line and attempted to send the ball across the face of goal. Crew 2 goalkeeper Stanislav Lapkes did well to get down and knock it out of play with his foot. The first corner was looking for Kibunguchy at the far post, but Adams got to it first, heading the ball over the crossbar. Rivera’s second corner kick was aiming for back-post heads again, but it went all the way across the field and out of play, ending the attack.
Crew 2 had its first chance in the ninth minute when Giogrio De Libera was sent forward to the end line. The midfielder played the ball back for Jacob Greene, who was wide open near the penalty spot. The shot got behind Mercado, but Freeman was there to clear it off the line and over the crossbar. The ensuing corner kick was cleared out without much trouble.
In the 13th minute, Nero took Loyola down hard from behind near midfield, leading to the game’s first goal. The ensuing set piece was a give-and-go between Freeman and Loyola. Sent down the right, Freeman played a great ball in front of goal, where Rivera was making a run. It only took a soft touch from the forward to tap it behind Lapkes and in to give the Young Lions the 1-0 advantage.
OCB had another shot two minutes later, but this one was much less troublesome for the hosts. Solis gained possession well outside the box and tried to find space to create an opportunity. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find anything and shot from distance. The shot was right at Lapkes, creating no problems for the goalkeeper.
The hosts found their equalizer in the 18th minute from a set piece. It started when a mishit by Adams landed at the feet of Greene at the top of the box. The midfielder shot immediately and his attempt was heading inside the post, but Mercado dove to his left to tip it wide. The ensuing corner kick was cleared and ended up with Adrian Gonzalez on the far side. It was a great cross to the opposite post, where Da outjumped Williams and headed it past Mercado to even the game at 1-1.
Da nearly had a second goal in the 22nd minute when he found enough space to take a shot at goal. The attempt took a deflection, sending it into the outside of the net. The ensuing corner kick didn’t result in anything else, keeping the game tied.
Rivera had a chance for his second in the 25th minute when he was sent forward by Loyola. The forward had Greene on his hip, but had a step on the defender. He slowed up slightly to set up his shot, enabling Greene to stick his foot in and clear it out of play.
The ensuing short corner kick fell for a second inside the six-yard box, but it was eventually cleared by Da.
Crew 2 immediately went the other way and created a chance of its own. Owen Presthus was sent down the right and played a dangerous cross into the OCB box, where Da was making a run to the back post. Fortunately, Kibunguchy slid in at the last second to knock the ball away.
A minute later, the hosts took their first lead of the day. Kibunguchy played the ball back to Mercado, who had plenty of time to find a teammate. However, he inexplicably sent the ball directly to Adams. The Crew 2 forward was calm with possession, slipping the ball past a flat-footed Mercado and giving his team a 2-1 lead.
OCB equalized in the 34th minute with a goal that was similar to the first. Freeman was sent down the right with a long ball. He had Rivera making a run into the box, but sent it to the top of the 18 instead. Mohammed was making a trailing run and did well with it, putting his first touch on target. It was close to Lapkes, but the Crew 2 goalkeeper couldn’t get to it and OCB evened the game at 2-2.
The Young Lions probably should’ve had a third in the 37th minute when Loyola made a run to the end line and sent the ball back for Rivera near the penalty spot. The forward attempted to set up for a shot, but the ball got caught in his feet. As a result, Crew 2 was able to clear.
OCB nearly took the lead in the 41st minute with a long ball down field. Rivera was attempting to run onto it, but it was too far in front of him. Fortunately, Freeman was also making a run and the right back connected with it. His shot appeared to be on target, but Lapkes came off his line and deflected the shot over the crossbar.
Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Rivera had a chance when he was sent forward by Solis. His first touch was a shot from a tight angle, but hit the outside of the post. The forward came back from an offside position to meet the ball and the referee determined he was too late, ruling him offside.
The Young Lions had one final chance in the first half with the last touch . They were looking for a shot from just outside of the box, but Mohammed’s last touch was cleared out. However, it was a soft clearance right to Almaguer. The OCB captain fired from distance and missed just wide of the near post, resulting in the game entering halftime at 2-2.
After 45 minutes, OCB had more shots (10-5), shots on target (5-4), corner kicks (4-3), and crosses (6-2), and better passing accuracy (88.4%-85.2%). Despite creating more chances than the opposition, the Young Lions only scored twice and went to the break tied.
Crew 2 created the first chance of the second half and it was from a familiar source. Greene entered the OCB box with Freeman on his hip, but got past the right back to shoot from a tight angle. Mercado did well to cover his near post and blocked the shot, enabling Kibunguchy to clear the ball away.
OCB had its first second-half chance in the 50th minute when Loyola lifted the ball behind the Crew 2 defense where Rivera was making a run. The forward raced for the ball, attempting to beat Lapkes to it, but the Crew 2 goalkeeper got to it first.
However, in the 51st minute, OCB took its second lead of the game. Solis sent Almaguer forward and the OCB captain sent a cross into the six-yard box. The pass was behind Freeman, but Nero accidentally knocked the ball into his own net, giving the visitors a 3-2 lead.
Crew 2 quickly went the other way and created a chance off the restart. It was a strong attempt from outside of the box that appeared to be heading inside the near post, but Mercado dove to his right and tipped it wide. The ensuing corner kick was cleared by the Young Lions and they maintained their one-goal lead.
In the 57th minute, Presthus received the ball on the right and sent a dangerous low ball into the box. Williams got to it before anyone else, sending it over the crossbar for a Crew 2 corner kick. The ensuing set piece ended up with Diego Almeida outside of the box. The defender took a long distance shot, but sent it well over the target.
The Young Lions had a good chance in the 61st minute when Cocca found Mohammed making a run behind the back line. He reached the pass before he got to the end line and sent it to Freeman making a trailing run to the top of the six-yard box. The right back’s first touch was a shot with the inside of his foot, but Lapkes was there to make the stop.
OCB looked to strike on the counter attack in the 66th minute when Solis won the ball from Almeida near midfield. Solis sent Mohammed forward and the attacker attempted a shot from a tight angle, but Lapkes blocked it out of play with his leg. The ensuing corner kick by Rivera found the head of Williams, who got over the ball, but his attempt was off the crossbar.
A minute later, Rivera received the ball in the Crew 2 box. The forward dribbled across the face of goal, looking for space for a shot, but was well defended. His eventual attempt was blocked out for a corner kick. The first set piece was met by the head of Williams, but it was deflected out of play. The second corner kick found Mohammed, and he dribbled toward the end line before Almeida cleared it behind the goal. The final attempt resulted in a cross by Solis that Kibunguchy attempted to volley to the far post, but the center back missed wide.
Goldberg made his first change of the game in the 70th minute, replacing Mohammed with Yeiler Valencia.
Crew 2 found another equalizer in the 74th minute. Receiving the ball down the left, Tristan Brown sent the ball in front of goal. Almaguer attempted to clear it, but sent it into his own net instead, evening the game at 3-3.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to strike again and take their second lead. Second-half substitute Rayo had the ball in a seemingly innocuous position, with several players between him and the goal. Dribbling inside, the attacker shot from distance. It appeared as though Mercado couldn’t see the shot as he was left flat-footed, watching the ball travel inside his near post to give Crew 2 a 4-3 lead.
In the 82nd minute, Solis played a good ball forward for Valencia with space. The second-half substitute had room shoot, but it was well off target. Immediately after the miss, Goldberg made two more changes. Justin Ellis and Majed Abdullah entered the game for Rivera and Guske.
The Young Lions had a great chance to equalize again in the 86th minute when Almaguer sent a free kick to the back post. Cocca was making a run and found himself wide open. The left back attempted to put the header on goal, but sent it wide.
Before Crew 2 could restart play, Goldberg made his final change of the game, replacing Almaguer with Zakaria Taifi.
Despite being down a goal, the Young Lions weren’t able to create any shots during the four minutes of added time, falling 4-3 to Crew 2.
At full time, OCB had more shots (19-11), shots on target (8-7), corners (9-6), and crosses (9-7), and better passing accuracy (88.1%-85.6%). While they led in all statistical categories, a couple of poor minutes resulted in two goals for the hosts, turning an away win into a loss.
While OCB has already lost twice at home, this is their first loss away from Central Florida. They’re now 2-1-3 on the road and fall to seventh in the MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference after being jumped by Crew 2.
The Young Lions now have an extended break as they don’t return to the field again until Sunday, May 26. They’ll welcome Huntsville City FC to Osceola County Stadium as they look to get back on the right track.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Huntsville City FC: Final Score 2-1 as Young Lions Hold Off Rally to Win at Home
OCB scored twice and then held on for dear life to beat Huntsville City FC at home.
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Orlando City B scored a goal in each half and held off a furious rally attempt by Huntsville City FC to pick up a 2-1 win at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. Imanol Almaguer and Alex Freeman provided the offense for OCB (8-7-9, 37 points), which conceded a late goal but ultimately held off Huntsville (6-12-5, 23 points) to pick up three vital points in the MLS NEXT Pro playoff chase.
The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and four-game unbeaten run for Huntsville, which got its goal from Julian Gaines late fashioned several good opportunities in the dying minutes to draw level.
The starting lineup in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado included a back line of Luca Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Shak Mohammed, with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
OCB spent the first 10 minutes of the match mostly in its own end, either trying to break Huntsville’s high line of pressure or preventing the visitors from working the ball into shooting positions. Huntsville seemed more threatening but OCB defended well.
After that 10-minute stalemate, each team created a chance. The first fell Orlando City B’s way on the left, as Tuskada worked his way past the defense and fired from a tight angle. Huntsville goalkeeper Bryan Dowd saved the attempt in the 11th minute.
At the other end, Woobens Pacios got in behind the right side of OCB’s defense but his curling effort toward the back post skipped wide in the 12th minute. Huntsville came right back toward OCB’s goal with a good cross in from the right. The Young Lions failed to deal with the aerial ball and had to bundle it out for a corner in a scramble play in front, conceding a corner. The visitors weren’t able to pay off the set piece.
Orlando nearly fashioned a goal out of nothing in the 18th minute. Mohammed attempted a shot from just outside the area but a sliding defender blocked it into the air. Freeman was the first to reach the loose ball and attempted a volley shot that sailed just over the bar.
Another ball in from the left a minute later was just a bit too close to Dowd as Tsukada was trying to pick out Rivera making a near-post run. OCB created another good chance in the 23rd minute when Freeman found Rivera in the box. The forward sent a hard, low shot toward the right post but Dowd got down to make the save.
The Young Lions found a breakthrough in the 30th minute on a great sequence of one-touch passes that started on the right side of the box with Freeman and Solis. Orlando worked it eventually to the top of the area with Almaguer serving as the architect, combining with mutliple teammates. He picked out Rivera, who then sent Tsukada down the left. The winger sent a quick pass across the top of the six for a charging Almaguer to tap home, making it 1-0. It was Almaguer’s third consecutive match with a goal.
After a couple of minutes of treatment to Mercado, who landed awkwardly on his shoulder after going high to catch a cross into the area, Huntsville got back on the front foot. Jonathan Bolanos sent a shot from the top of the area just wide of the right post in the 37th minute.
Solis drew a couple of quick yellow cards on Huntsville in the final moments of the first half on fouls by Dominic Gasso and Bolanos. The latter gave OCB a set piece from distance that nearly paid off. The service was played low into the crowd of players toward the left side of goal. Freeman got to it first and fired just wide of the left post in the 43rd minute.
The game unexpectedly opened up in stoppage time, with each team getting sight of goal. Rivera tried his luck from outside the area in the second minute of added time, but he did not stay over the ball and got under it, lifting it high over the bar. Seconds later, Oliver Wright discarded Petrasso with a quick move from left to right and fired a shot just wide of the right post.
That was the final chance of the opening period, and the Young Lions took their slim lead into the locker room.
OCB had the halftime edge in shots (7-5) and shots on target (3-0), while Huntsville passed more accurately (94%-90.3%). Each team earned one corner in the first half.
Huntsville came out of the break with a lot of energy and aggression, taking the game to OCB. The Young Lions struggled to get out of their own end for the first 15 minutes of the second period and conceded the first two shtos on target of the game in that spell. Mercado made a pair of good saves to deny Wright in the 53rd and 54th minutes.
After the hour mark, the Young Lions finally relieved the pressure and held the ball for a bit, regaining their rhythm but without creating much until the 64th minute after clearing a scramble play in front of their own goal. OCB broke down the field and Freeman got into the box on the right. He shielded the ball well and went down under a challenge from Jordan Knight. Referee Alex Billeter pointed to the spot immediately and booked Knight for the foul from behind.
Freeman took the spot kick himself and blasted it into the upper right side to make it 2-0 in the 66th minute.
OCB had a couple of good opportunities after that to find a third, and the first of those came in the 72nd minute. Rivera had the ball on the right in transition but Huntsville had numbers back. The forward cut inside on his left and let a powerful shot go toward goal, but Dowd did well to make the save to keept it at 2-0.
Huntsville started pouring numbers forward and OCB could not stay organized or compact, allowing several low crosses to get into the box from the visitors’ attacking left side. However, it was the other side that allowed Huntsville to pull a goal back.
Gaines cut inside from the right to break free of Tsukada and sent a low, left-footed shot just inside the left post. Mercado looked as if he’d get over to make the save, but it was just out of reach. Huntsville pulled within 2-1 in the 81st minute.
OCB was fortunate not to allow the equalizer just seconds later. A poor back pass from Almaguer popped into the air and Williams couldn’t handle it. Bolanos got to it and fired past Mercado, but the ball had hit the Huntsville attacker on the arm before it fell to his feet and the infraction nullified what would have been a tying strike.
Mercado made a huge save in the 84th minute off a Huntsville corner and in the scramble to pounce on the loose ball, he was fouled, taking the pressure off momentarily.
Second-half sub Yeiler Valencia led a transition that could have put the game away in the 88th minute. Taking a long outlet pass, he streaked down the right and drew the defense toward him. Valencia sent a cross in front for fellow substitute Tahir Reid-Brown at the back post, but the fullback couldn’t make clean contact with the bouncing ball and sent the effort wide.
Mercado stayed busy throughout four minutes of stoppage time that ballooned to seven. He had to make a vital save in the 91st minute when Pacias got in behind the defense. Mercado blocked it from point-blank range but took the shot in a sensitive area and needed some time to continue, which added to the injury time.
OCB survived several nervy moments in its own box before finally clearing one last time and hearing the final whistle.
The visitors finished with the advantage in shots (13-10), passing accuracy (91.5%-85.9%), corners (6-2), and crosses (13-3). OCB put more shots on frame (5-4) and ultimately did just enough to see out a nervy win in the end.
Orlando City B has won three of its last four matches and is 4-1-1 in its last six games. The win momentarily allowed the Young Lions to jump above the playoff line, but multiple teams were either still in action or have a game in hand. Still, the team is alive for a potential playoff berth with four matches remaining.
The Young Lions are back in action a week from tonight at Crown Legacy.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. New York City FC II: Final Score 5-2 as OCB Suffers First Loss to NYCFC II
The Young Lions trailed from early on and could never quite get back on level terms, conceding two late goals in an ultimately lopsided loss.
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Orlando City B (7-7-9, 34 points) played from behind for most of the match before falling 5-2 to New York City FC II (10-5-6, 39 points) at Belson Stadium in New York City this evening. Camil Azzam Ruiz gave the hosts the lead in the eighth minute and Andrew Baiera’s 31st-minute goal made it 2-0 at halftime. It was a back-and-forth second half with OCB goals by Imanol Almaguer and Alex Freeman being answered by Nicholas Kapanadze and Taylor Calheira. Baiera’s second goal in stoppage time put a cap on the game.
OCB deployed the same lineup that destroyed Atlanta United 2 Friday night 4-1. The back line in front of goalkeeper Carlos Mercado was Luca Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske were the defensive midfielders behind Yutaro Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Shak Mohammed with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
This game was originally scheduled for June 19 but was postponed until today. Despite being on a Wednesday, kickoff took place at 4:30 p.m. This was a game of two halves for the Young Lions. NYCFC II dominated the first 45 minutes and took a deserved two-goal lead into the break. But OCB came out a different team in the second half, putting the hosts under pressure. It looked at times as though the Young Lions would come back to equalize or take the lead but couldn’t find the last touch. That allowed NYCFC II to respond and come away with the win.
The hosts took the lead in the eighth minute from poor defending and an excellent run by Ronald Arevalo. Receiving a ball forward from Stevo Bednarsky, Arevalo kept possession after a push from Tsukada and avoided challenges by Petrasso and Almaguer. As Williams closed down on the attacker, blocking his ability to shoot, Arevalo laid it off for Azzam Ruiz, who beat Kibunguchy to the ball and slipped it past Mercado to make it 1-0.
The best first-half chance for OCB came a few minutes later when Petrasso was sent behind the back line with an aerial ball by Solis. The left back was free on goal and it didn’t appear as though any defenders would catch up with him, but Matthew Leong did well to get back. The defender slid in to block the shot, which also took a touch by NYCFC goalkeeper Will Meyer before leaving the box.
NYCFC II doubled its advantage in the 31st minute. It was another excellent individual effort, this time by Maximo Carrizo. After dribbling to the top of the box, Carrizo sent a hard pass to his right. He appeared to be looking for Arevalo, but Baiera took it instead. The defender split Freeman and Petrasso, putting it past Mercado to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.
OCB tried to respond in the 36th minute when Guske took possession of the ball. He dribbled through a defender and created enough space to get a shot off. Unfortunately, it was over the crossbar.
The Young Lions nearly had a great chance to get one back in the 41st minute when Mohammed sent a cross into the box from the end line. Solis was making a run into the six, but Samuel Owusu slid in and knocked the ball out of play before it could reach Solis.
The final first-half chance for OCB came in the second minute of stoppage time when Mohammed played the ball to Freeman on his right. Tsukada and Petrasso were making runs into the box and Freeman sent the ball in, but it was too close to Meyer, who caught the attempt.
It looked as though the hosts would make it 3-0 in the final minute of first-half stoppage time when Arevalo dribbled into the OCB third of the field. He played Azzam Ruiz forward and it appeared as though the attacker would net his second of the game. But Kibunguchy came flying in and blocked the attempt, ensuring Azzam Ruiz wouldn’t be able to put the ball into the corner of the goal.
After 45 minutes, NYCFC had more shots (9-4) and shots on target (4-2) and better passing accuracy (91.6%-85.7%). OCB had more corner kicks (3-1) and all of the crosses (4-0) since the hosts created their attacks by dribbling down the middle of the field.
Both teams created a chance inside the first five minutes of the second half. In the 48th minute, Kibunguchy made a surprising run down the right. The center back played the ball into the box for Rivera, who went down after some contact. However, no foul was called and the ball went through the box untouched.
NYCFC II had a chance in the 50th minute when Azzam Ruiz was sent behind the back line by Stevo Bednarsky. The defenders appeared to think Azzam Ruiz was offside, allowing him to get free on goal. Williams sprinted back to put some pressure on the attacker and he sent the attempt off target.
The Young Lions got a goal back in the 52nd minute when Almaguer and Solis combined. Receiving the ball from Mohammed, who had made a run down the right to the end line, Almaguer played a give-and-go with Solis. The return pass was a chip that was volleyed in by Almaguer to cut the deficit in half.
NYCFC II nearly had a golden opportunity to extend its lead in the 58th minute when Jonathan Shore found himself at the top of the six with nobody marking him. The pass found him, but Kibunguchy came flying in to knock the ball off of his foot. It was the second time the center back had saved an almost certain goal.
However, the hosts reclaimed their two-goal lead in the 69th minute from a terrible mistake by Kibunguchy. The center back received the ball in his own third and took his time looking for an outlet. In the meantime, Kapanadze came up behind him and took the ball right off his foot. Nobody was close to being able to close down the second-half substitute, enabling him to slip it past Mercado and giving NYCFC II a 3-1 lead.
The Young Lions nearly got one back off of the kickoff when Rivera’s ball was blocked out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece found Almaguer at the top of the box and the OCB captain laid it off for Guske. It was an ambitious attempt by the academy product, but the shot was on target and forced Meyer to tip it over the top of the goal. Unfortunately, the Young Lions couldn’t create a shot from the second corner kick, enabling the hosts to clear.
OCB nearly found an incredible goal in the 76th minute when Solis sent a pass to Mohammed, who was making a diagonal run on the right. The attacker’s first touch appeared to be a cross, but it curled towards goal. The ball went over the outstretched arm of Meyer and hit the crossbar.
That was the last action before the second-half hydration break. During the stoppage, OCB Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made his first two changes. Justin Ellis and Favian Loyola came in for Rivera and Mohammed.
Immediately after the break, NYCFC II created a chance for a fourth goal. Jonny Lopez played Baiera into the right side of the box and the defender’s second touch was a shot on goal. Due to the pace on the ball, Mercado could only block it wide for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was met by Calheira at the near post, but he sent the redirection wide.
The Young Lions kept the comeback alive in the 83rd minute when they cut the deficit back to one. It started when Solis played the ball across the field for Tsukada near the top of the box. Petrasso was overlapping the midfielder and Tsukada played him forward. Petrasso’s low cross went through Ellis, Owusu, and Meyer, ending up on the foot of Freeman right in front of the goal. Freeman had Christopher Tiao on his back, making it difficult to put the ball in. As a result, it sat on the goal line until the right back could get a final touch on it. Fortunately he did, making it a 3-2 game.
Goldberg made three more changes in the final five minutes as the Young Lions looked for an equalizer. Jackson Platts and Tahir Reid-Brown came on for Freeman and Petrasso in the 85th minute before Gustavo Caraballo replaced Almaguer in the 90th minute.
Unfortunately, OCB was unable to find the equalizer and the hosts put the game out of reach. Platts pulled back Tiao in the second minute of stoppage time, giving the hosts a free kick. Tiao laid on the ground for a while before getting up and play resumed. Despite the rule stating players must receive treatment after 15 seconds and exit for two minutes, the referee allowed him to continue.
Tiao’s set piece was headed by Platts to Guske in the middle of the field. However, the defensive midfielder was beaten to it by Kapanadze near the top of the box. Calheira received the header and nobody closed him down, enabling the substitute to shoot on goal. It was a low but accurate shot that left Mercado frozen, going into the corner and giving the hosts a 4-2 lead.
The fourth goal effectively put the game away, but NYCFC II scored a fifth for good measure. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Julien Lacher sprinted down the right. As Lopez made a run to the top of the six, Baiera made a trailing run into the box. Three defenders converged on Lacher, forcing Kibungnuchy to track Lopez. As a result, Baiera was wide open near the penalty spot.
Mercado came back across his goal to close down Baiera, but the defender kept his composure. A simple touch to his right saw Mercado go down and it was an easy finish for his second goal of the game.
That was the final action of the contest as OCB fell 5-2 to NYCFC II. At full time, NYCFC II had more shots (16-11) and shots on target (8-5) and better passing accuracy (88.4%-87.7%). The Young Lions had more corner kicks (6-2) and crosses (9-0).
This is the first time OCB has lost to NYCFC II since the two teams first met in 2022. Before today, the Young Lions were 3-0-3 in six games against the MLS NEXT Pro Pigeons.
NYCFC II moves up to fourth in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference with the three points. Meanwhile, OCB remains in ninth, one spot below the last playoff position. It’s a difficult loss, but the Young Lions are only one point behind Chattanooga FC, two points behind Chicago Fire II and Inter Miami II, and three points behind Crown Legacy for fifth.
It’s a short break for OCB as the Young Lions return home Sunday night to face Huntsville City FC at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee.
Orlando City B
Orlando City B vs. Atlanta United 2: Final Score 4-1 as Young Lions Blast Atlanta
The Young Lions’ offensive explosion continued with four more in a decisive road win at Atlanta United 2.
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Four different Young Lions scored as Orlando City B routed Atlanta United 2 by a 4-1 final score at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA. OCB (7-6-9, 34 points) won its second straight game and now has scored seven goals in its last two matches with the win in Atlanta (6-10-5, 26 points).
Yutaro Tsukada picked up where he left off last weekend with another goal and an assist to go with the one of each he had against New York City FC II last weekend. Imanol Almaguer, Luca Petrasso, and Shak Mohammed also scored for OCB before Noble Okello spoiled the shutout in the second half.
Manuel Goldberg’s starting lineup included Carlos Mercado in goal behind a back line of Petrasso, Thomas Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Alex Freeman. Almaguer and Colin Guske started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Tsukada, Jhon Solis, and Mohammed, with Wilfredo Rivera up top.
Solis produced the game’s first scoring chance by slipping a ball into the box for Tsukada’s run. The winger faked a shot with his right, faked a move left, and then fired a right-footed shot toward the left side. However, it hit the post and stayed out in the fourth minute.
The next good chance came in the 11th minute and it again involved Solis and Tsukada. Solis took a pass down the left channel from Tsukada and picked out Rivera in the box. The forward tried a first-time chip shot toward the back post but it landed on top of the net.
The Young Lions broke through four minutes later. A good ball in from Petrasso on the left was flicked on goal by Tsukada. Jayden Hibbert made the initial save but the ball came right back to Tsukada, who sent his shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.
Atlanta had its first dangerous attacking spell after OCB’s goal, swarming forward with intense pressure and counterpressure. Rodrigo Neri fired a shot at the top of the area but Williams was there to block it. OCB survived a couple of corner kicks and finally broke the pressure.
Tsukada made a brilliant move in the 20th minute to send Petrasso down the left. The fullback sprinted down the flank and spotted Mohammed breaking free on the right but his cross was just a foot or two beyond his reach.
Javier Armas tried a shot from about 30 yards out in the 22nd minute but it was well off target. A minute later, OCB had a chance on an even longer shot.
Rivera stole the ball at midfield and spotted Hibbert off his line. The forward unleashed a shot from extreme range that would have beaten Hibbert but it sliced just wide to the right.
Both teams nearly scored in the 30th minute, with Solis taking the ball away in the penalty area but before he could gather it and fire on goal with Hibbert out of position, he was bundled over from behind by Efrain Morales. Despite his shouts for a penalty, none was given.
Atlanta went the other way and Nick Firmino was dispossessed at the top of the OCB area, but three Young Lions failed to clear and the ball was picked up there by Armas, who dribbled deftly through all of them and fired just wide of the left post.
It was a costly miss, because the Young Lions doubled their lead eight minutes later. Freeman had the ball on the left and found Almaguer at the top of the area just left of the middle. The midfielder blasted a shot into the upper right corner to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute.
Dominic Chong-Qui lost Freeman at the other end in the 43rd minute and broke in on the left side, but he shot his attempt into the outside netting of Mercado’s goal. Seconds later, the Young Lions struck again.
Solis did well to slip the ball behind the Atlanta back line to a streaking Petrasso. With one defender back and Mohammed on his right, Petrasso took the shot himself with his left foot, slotting it home to make it 3-0 in the 43rd minute.
Atlanta closed the half with a flurry of shots in stoppage time. Guske made a mistake and let up when he thought the ball was over the sideline. Chong-Qui never stopped and got in down the left again but his shot was wide once again. Moments later, Alan Carleton got to the top of the area and fired but Kibunguchy got just enough of a block to send it just wide of the left post.
After the ensuing corner kick was partially cleared, a late attempt by Armas was a weak effort that Mercado was able to scoop up, ending the half.
Atlanta had much more of the first-half possession, although the MLS NEXT Pro website doesn’t list possession numbers in its stats. The hosts also attempted more shots (9-8), won more corners (4-1), and passed more accurately (89.5%-85.1%), but OCB put more shots on target (5-1) and made most of those count.
Atlanta nearly scored just after the second-half kickoff. Matias Gallardo was left all alone and put in a good cross to Neri, who was also left all alone. The header was on goal but Mercado made a terrific diving save to keep the hosts off the board. Atlanta couldn’t pay off a pair of corner kicks in the wake of Neri’s chance.
Okello tried a shot from about 30 yards out in the 51st minute. It was a good, hard shot but Mercado was able to get down to make the save.
Mohammed took a pass from Freeman and scored a minute later but he was offside on the play. That led to a quick goal kick and Williams gambled and lost going for a pass, allowing Neri to get in behind. It appeared Neri would have a breakaway but Kibunguchy was able to get over and bail Williams out with a good defensive play.
Rivera sent a shot just inches over the crossbar in the 54th minute as the back-and-forth second half continued. No matter, as the Young Lions put a fourth on the board three minutes later, anyway.
Rivera unlocked the defense with a pass that sent Tsukada down the left. With one defender back, Tsukada faked a move and unselfishly found Mohammed, who fired in OCB’s fourth goal of the match in the 57th minute. It was Mohammed’s 10th goal of the season.
Almaguer did well in the 66th minute to hold his ground and block a shot by Gallardo. The hosts pulled a goal back moments later, however. Second-half sub Stephen Hurlock freed himself up and fired a shot that the defense deflected wide. Okello got his head to the ensuing corner kick and put it in the bottom left corner to make it 4-1 in the 69th minute.
Solis turned the ball over trying to switch play in the 75th minute, igniting the Atlanta break. At the end of the counterattack, Gallardo sent his shot high over the bar.
Solis freed himself up in the 78th minute and went for goal, but Hibbert was able to dive to his left to catch it.
Stll in the 78th minute, Atlanta came right back down with a pair of shots but Armas’ effort was blocked and Guske blocked Firmino’s attempt seconds later.
Gallardo hit the left post in the 82nd minute after being left at the top of the box with too much space. Two minutes later, a good ball found Jacob Williams alone in front of goal. The Atlanta attacker sent his header off target but based on the spot of the restart, the flag must have come up anyway.
OCB finally created a good chance in the 85th minute with Freeman slipping second-half sub Justin Ellis in but Hibbert came out to close down the shot and made a vital save. Favian Loyola, another second-half sub, did well to set up fellow substitute Bernardo Goncalves in the 90th minute but Hibbert again made a strong save.
The Young Lions saw out the five minutes of stoppage time, and then some, with Mercado finishing the game with a point-blank save.
The hosts finished with the advantage in possession, shots (21-14), corners (8-2), and passing accuracy (89.6%-87.3%), but Orlando City B got more shots on target (10-5) and was far more clinical with its opportunities.
The win, at least temporarily, pushes OCB into the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference, pending other results this weekend. OCB is tied on points with seventh-place Crown Legacy but the North Carolina-based club holds the tiebreaker on wins.
The Young Lions will be back on the road Wednesday when they visit New York City FC II Wednesday at 5 p.m.
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