Orlando City B (4-1-1, 14 points) at Crown Legacy FC (5-0-1, 16 points)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mecklenburg County Sportsplex, Matthews, N.C.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required)
The Decider
The Lions took a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC II in dramatic fashion over the weekend, overcoming two separate deficits to remain unbeaten at Osceola County Stadium in 2023. After leveling late in the match, the contest looked to be heading to kicks from the spot until forward Moises Tablante took matters into his own hands, firing a long-range shot from outside the area in second-half stoppage time. The goal served as Tablante’s first of the year and his seventh in MLS NEXT Pro for Orlando City B.
On All Fronts
Defender Abdi Salim occupied the backline for Orlando City B over the weekend against Toronto FC II, his fifth start through the side’s six matches this season. Salim contributed not only at the back, but in the attack as well, heading home the tying goal in the 84th minute to put the Lions in position to win the match at home. Salim now sits tied for second on the team with two goals this season, with him and center-back partner Nabi Kibunguchy each with a pair of finishes this campaign.
Leading the Pack
Homegrown defender Alex Freeman found the back of the net yet again for the Lions over the weekend, scoring the side’s first goal of the evening against Toronto FC II. Freeman now leads Orlando City B with three goals in 2023, his finish over the weekend coming off the heels of his First Team debut the night before in Orlando City’s MLS match against the LA Galaxy, where he entered the game in second-half stoppage time.
The Helpers
This past Sunday saw two Orlando City Homegrowns earn an assist to help the side overcome a pair of deficits to take the come-from-behind victory over Toronto, with Wilfredo Rivera and Favian Loyola, each tallying a helper in the match. The former sent in the corner kick that found the head of Salim in the 84th minute, while the latter laid off the ball for Tablante for the eventual game-winner.
