KENNESAW, Ga. (Aug. 23, 2024) – Orlando City B (7-6-9, 34 points) matched a season-high with three first-half goals in a 4-1 win over Atlanta United 2 (6-10-5, 26 points) at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Friday night. By taking all three points, the Lions currently sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference heading into the weekend’s matches.
Yutaro Tsukada continued to find multiple ways to help the Lions’ offense with two goal contributions on the night. The forward opened the scoring early in the first half with a goal and helped set up Shak Mohammed’s 10th goal of the season later in the second half. Mohammed’s finish put him in a tie for third-most goals in MLS NEXT Pro.
Along with Tsukada, defender Alex Freeman also picked up his sixth assist of the season by setting up captain Imanol Almaguer for his second goal of the 2024 campaign. Both Tsukada and Freeman are currently tied for fifth-most assists in MLS NEXT Pro.
After recording his first career assist earlier this month, defender Luca Petrasso scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal late in the first half.
The young Lions wrap up their short two-game road trip at Belson Stadium, taking on New York City FC II for the second time in 10 days on Wednesday, Aug. 28. That match is set to kick off at 5 p.m. ET and can be seen on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Scoring Summary:
15’ Yutaro Tsukada – ORL 1, ATL 0
The young Lions took the early 1-0 lead on a finish from Yutaro Tsukada. Defender Luca Pettraso led an Orlando attack on the left wing before sending a cross in front of the goal. Tsukada’s initial attempt was saved by goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert, but Tsukada recovered and sent a second shot into the roof of the net.
38’ Imanol Almaguer (Alex Freeman) – ORL 2, ATL 0
OCB doubled its lead late in the first half off the foot of captain Imanol Almaguer. The Lions pushed into the Atlanta defensive end on a counterattack and defender Alex Freeman controlled the ball before finding Almaguer at the top of the box. Almaguer’s second touch was drilled past the goalkeeper to give OCB the 2-0 lead.
43’ Luca Petrasso (Jhon Solís) – ORL 3, ATL 0
Just five minutes later, OCB extended its lead further thanks to Luca Petrasso. Jhon Solís ran side-by-side with Petrasso down the left wing of the field before sending a pass up field. Petrasso caught up with the pass before dribbling into the box and settled into an open area before sending a shot to the far side of the net for his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal.
57’ Shak Mohammed (Yutaro Tsukada) – ORL 4, ATL 0
For the second match in a row, Shak Mohammed and Tsukada connected for an OCB goal. From midfield, Wilfredo Rivera led Tsukada down the left side of the Atlanta defense. From just outside the box, Tsukada sent a pass back across the goal to Mohammed who calmly finished the play with his 10th goal of the season.
69’ Noble Okello (Matías Gallardo) – ORL 4, ATL 1
The home side would get a goal back on a header from Noble Okello. After winning a corner kick, Atlanta substitute Matías Gallardo sent a cross into the box and Okello’s header snuck past goalkeeper Carlos Mercado.
Match Notes:
- Yutaro Tsukada scored his sixth goal of the 2024 season, breaking a tie with Wilfredo Rivera for second-most goals on the roster.
- Captain Imanol Almaguer scored his second goal of the season with his first-half finish.
- Alex Freeman recorded his sixth assist on the Almaguer finish. Freeman currently ranks in the top five in assists amongst all MLS NEXT Pro players.
- Luca Petrasso scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal late in the first half.
- Jhon Solís picked up his first assist of the 2024 season on the Petrasso goal.
- With three goals in the first half, the Lions matched a season high for most goals scored in the first half.
- Shak Mohammed scored his 10th goal of the season early in the second half. Mohammed is currently tied for third for most goals in MLS NEXT Pro.
- Tsukada picked up his sixth assist of the season, joining Freeman on the league leader board for assists. He also recorded his fourth game of the season with at least two goal contributions.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against New York City FC II with Thomas Williams and Wilfredo Rivera returning to the starting XI.
