QUEENS, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2024) – Orlando City B (7-6-9, 34 points) dropped a 5-2 decision to New York City FC II (9-6-6, 36 points) at Belson Stadium on Wednesday night. The defeat marked the Lions first ever MLS NEXT Pro loss to NYCFC II.
New York City FC II scored two first-half goals to take the early lead into halftime before Lions’ captain Imanol Almaguer cut the lead to one on his third goal of the season in the 53rd minute of the match.
The Pigeons led 3-1 before defender Alex Freeman scored in the 83rd minute to bring the Lions within one score once again, but two stoppage-time goals from New York City halted any potential OCB comeback.
Forward Jhon Solís recorded his first assist of the 2024 season on the Almaguer goal in the 52nd minute of the match.
The Lions return home to Osceola County Stadium when they host Huntsville City FC on Sunday, Sept. 1. That match is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Scoring Summary:
8’ Camil Azzam Ruiz (Ronald Arévalo) – NYC 1, ORL 0
Less than 10 minutes into the match, NYCFC II jumped out ahead for the early lead. Ronald Arévalo gained possession in the Orlando defensive half and dribbled through multiple Lion defenders to get towards the endline. Arévalo passed it off to Camil Azzam Ruiz in front of the goal and he finished it off with a tap in past goalkeeper Carlos Mercado.
31’ Drew Baiera (Máximo Carrizo)– NYC 2, ORL 1
NYCFC II doubled its lead after finishing on a counterattack. After breaking up an OCB attack, Máximo Carrizo led a counterattack through the center of the Lions’ defense. From just outside the box, Carrizo gave a pass to Drew Baiera who was able to get a foot on the ball before Mercado could get to it and the ball slowly rolled past the endline for a 2-0 lead.
52’ Imanol Almaguer (Jhon Solís) – NYC 2, ORL 1
The Lions cut into the NYCFC II lead early in the second half thanks to their captain. OCB pushed into the Pigeons’ defensive third before midfielder Imanol Almaguer passed to Jhon Solís. Solís immediately chipped a pass over the back line to Almaguer who finished off the play with a shot that snuck past goalkeeper Will Meyer.
69’ Nicholas Kapanadze – NYC 3, ORL 1
The Pigeons took another two-goal lead after a steal deep in the Lions’ zone. Defender Nabi Kibunguchy had control of the ball in the Lions’ defensive end before Nicholas Kapanadze stole the ball on the left side of the box and his shot got past Mercado.
83’ Alex Freeman (Luca Petrasso) – NYC 3, ORL 2
OCB once again cut the NYCFC II lead to one goal after a chaotic sequence in front of the goal. Yutaro Tsukada dropped a pass off to defender Luca Petrasso on the left side of the New York box. Petrasso sent a cross into the box where Alex Freeman was waiting behind Meyer. The ball was stopped just before the goal line, but Freeman was able to play through contact and push the ball across the line for a goal.
90+4’ Taylor Calheira (Nicholas Kapanadze) – NYC 4, ORL 2
New York added another goal to its lead from second-half substitute Taylor Calheira. Kapanadze deflected a pass outside the box to Calheira who drilled a shot past Mercado to double the Pigeons' lead in second-half stoppage time.
90+8’ Drew Baiera (Julien Lacher) – NYC 5, ORL 2
Baiera recorded his second goal of the match just moments before the end of the match. OCB pushed forward in attack, but New York regained control and Julien Lacher led a counter. Lacher dribbled deep into the Lions’ defensive end and sent a low pass to Baiera, who faked multiple defenders before putting a shot in the back of the net.
Match Notes:
- Captain Imanol Almaguer scored his third goal of the season early in the second half.
- Jhon Solís recorded his first assist of the 2024 season on the Almaguer finish.
- Alex Freeman scored his third goal of the season late in the second half.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made no changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Atlanta United 2.
