The latest updates on the latest from the Orlando City Academy and Orlando City B via the Purple Pipeline, presented by adidas:
MLS NEXT U17: Lions earn draw with New England, sit second in Southeast Division
Coming off their run in the Generation adidas cup earlier in the month, the U17s got back to MLS NEXT league play this past weekend, facing the New England Revolution. A goal from Axel Grimauld was enough to split the points between the two sides in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. That result now has the Young Lions sitting squarely in second in the MLS NEXT Southeast Division.
Next up for them will be a meeting with Nashville SC on Saturday, April 27, with kickoff at Osceola Heritage Park scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET.
MLS NEXT U15: Young Lions earn convincing win over Revolution
The hot form for the U15s continues on as the Young Lions thrashed the New England Revolution 4-1 this past weekend. Ethan Graham scored once, while Jakob Garcia netted a hat trick. Garcia has been on a tear this season, having a number of multi-goal games to lead the front line. That result now keeps them in sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division.
Just like the U17s, the U15s will also host Nashville SC, with their kickoff scheduled for noon at Osceola Heritage Park this Saturday.
Orlando City B: Orlando City B earns 2-0 win at Crown Legacy FC, Guske signs
Orlando City B (2-1-2, 9 points) defeated Crown Legacy FC (0-2-3, 5 points) for the first time in team history in a 2-0 victory Friday night at Sportsplex at Matthews. The OCB win also marked the first time in its history Crown Legacy has lost on its home pitch in the regular season.
Defender Alex Freeman’s first-half goal put Orlando up early in the match. The game-winning goal was Freeman’s first goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Wilfredo Rivera’s first assist of the season helped set up the Freeman goal.
Friday night was full of other firsts for the Lions. Forward Shak Mohammed joined Freeman with his first goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season and goalkeeper Javier Otero earned his first clean sheet of the year with six saves in the match.
The Lions will return for their first true home match on Sunday, April 28, when they welcome Toronto FC II to Osceola Heritage Park. That matchup will air on MLSNEXTPro.com with kick scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Academy product Colin Guske signed a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2024.
A product of the Orlando City Academy since 2020, Guske made his professional debut this year with Orlando City B, starting in all three of his appearances so far in the campaign. The St. Johns, Fla., native also scored his first professional goal in the Club’s season-opening match against Atlanta United 2, tallying the game-winner.
Guske, 17, joined the Orlando City First Team for preseason, participating in the team’s weeklong training camp in Mexico earlier this year.
