CHESTER, Pa. (April 11, 2024) – Orlando City B (1-1-2, 6 points) played to a 1-1 draw withPhiladelphia Union II (2-0-2, 9 points) on Thursday night at Subaru Park, with the Union taking the end-of-regulation shootout 7-6 to pick up the extra point.
The hosts were the first on the scoreboard with an early, 11th-minute goal by forward Sal Olivas off midfielder Francis Westfield’s cross.
Wilfredo Rivera’s equalizer in the 30th minute for the Lions was his first of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. Yutaro Tsukada also picked up his first assist of the season after setting up Rivera’s goal. A week after his first MLS NEXT Pro appearance of the season, forward Shak Mohammed got his first start on the year.
Jhon Solís, Alex Freeman, Colin Guske, Justin Ellis, Favian Loyola and Thomas Bowe all scored for the Lions in the end-of-regulation shootout.
The Lions will travel to Sportsplex at Mathews next to take on Crown Legacy FC on Friday, April 19. That matchup will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kick scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
11’ Sal Olivas (Francis Westfield) - PHI 1, ORL 0
Philadelphia Union II scored early in the game after mounting an attack into the Orlando City defensive zone. Midfielder Francis Westfield took the ball down the left side of the OCB box before sending a cross directly in front of the net to Sal Olivas who directed the ball to the back of the goal.
30’ Wilfredo Rivera (Yutaro Tsukada) - ORL 1, PHI 1
The Lions found the equalizer on a counterattack right at the half hour mark. After receiving a through ball from Jhon Solís, Yutaro Tsukada then took a touch and sent a cross to the middle of the Philadelphia box to Wilfredo Rivera who chipped in a shot past goalkeeper Andrew Rick.
Match Notes:
- Shak Mohammed made his first start of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season against Philadelphia Union II.
- Wilfredo Rivera’s 30th-minute goal was his first of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
- Yutaro Tsukada’s assist on the goal was his first of the season as well.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made four changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Inter Miami CF II, with Thomas Williams, Zakaria Taifi, Colin Guske, and Shak Mohammed all getting the start on the night.
