KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 14, 2024) – Orlando City B (4-5-7, 23 points) and Inter Miami CF II (6-6-5, 23 points) played to a 1-1 draw at Osceola Heritage Park on Sunday night in their final meeting of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season. The Lions picked up the extra point by winning the end-of-regulation shootout 2-0, their fourth shootout win of the year.
The two teams played even through most of the match before Inter Miami took the lead on forward Shanyder Borgelin’s goal in the 71st minute. The Lions would answer back nine minutes later thanks to second-half substitute Wilfredo Rivera. The equalizer was Rivera’s fifth goal of the season, which moved him into second place on the team’s leaderboard. Newly named MLS NEXT All-Star Colin Guske picked up his third assist on the Rivera finish.
Alex Freeman and Yutaro Tsukada both scored for Orlando and goalkeeper Carlos Mercado made two huge saves in the end-of-regulation shootout to secure the extra point for the Lions.
After coming in as a second-half substitute, Bernardo Goncalves made his MLS NEXT Pro debut after previously spending time with the Orlando City Academy team.
The Lions’ next three matches will be on the road, with the first coming next Sunday, July 21 when they take on New York Red Bulls II at MSU Soccer Park. That match can be seen on MLS NEXT Pro.com at 7 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
71’ Shanyder Borgelin – MIA 1, ORL 0
The Lions and Herons both had chances throughout the match, but it was Inter Miami that broke through first. Lawson Sunderland led an attack into the Orlando City B box and ripped a shot that went off the short post and then off goalkeeper Carlos Mercado’s back. Shanyder Borgelin beat the Lion’s defender and poked the ball in at the goal line to finish off the play.
80’ Wilfredo Rivera (Colin Guske) – ORL 1, MIA 1
Orlando would finally break through nine minutes later to level the game at 1-1. Midfielder Colin Guske gained control for the Lions and set up Wilfredo Rivera near the top of the box. Rivera found space by beating several Miami defenders before taking a rip at the top of the box that found the top corner of the net for the equalizer.
Match Notes:
- Wilfredo Rivera scored his fifth goal of the season, which is the second-most goals scored on the team.
- Colin Guske earned his third assist of the season on the Rivera finish.
- Tahir Reid-Brown made his second start of the 2024 season and first since March 22 against Huntsville City FC.
- Jack Lynn made his second start in as many appearances for OCB, first since April 2 against Inter Miami CF II. Lynn has spent the last 17 games with Orlando City’s first team.
- Coming in as a second-half substitute, Yutaro Tsukada made his 12th appearance for the Lions, his first since June 7.
- Bernardo Goncalves made his MLS NEXT Pro debut after coming in as a second-half substitute.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made three changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Carolina Core FC, with Tahir Reid-Brown, Favian Loyola and Jack Lynn getting the start
