BRADENTON, Fla. (April 2, 2024) – Orlando City B (1-1-1, 5 points) dropped its first match of the 2024 season to intrastate foes Inter Miami CF II (2-0-1, 7 points) by a 2-0 scoreline at IMG Academy on Tuesday evening. The match marked the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro contest played at Generation adidas Cup.
Miami forward Alejandro Flores de La Paz scored the game-winner midway through the first half after the Lions were unable to clear the ball out of their defensive third. Bryan Destin’s goal extended Miami’s lead in the second half to secure the win.
Three Orlando City B players made their MLS NEXT Pro season debuts. Javier Otero started in goal for his first appearance, while midfielders Shak Mohammed and Diego Pareja came on as second-half substitutes for the Lions.
The Lions will travel to Subaru Park next to take on Philadelphia Union II on Thursday, April 11. That matchup will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kick scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
21’ Alejandro Flores de La Paz – MIA 1, ORL 0
Inter Miami II scored first midway through the first half after defender Nykolas Sessock led an attack down the right side of the OCB defensive third. The Lions looked to clear Sessock’s cross, but the ball deflected to Alejandro Flores de La Paz inside the box, who took a touch and found the far side of the net.
64’ Bryan Destin (Ryan Carmichael) – MIA 2, ORL 0
The visiting team extended its lead after OCB was unable to clear the ball near midfield. Ryan Carmichael received a lead pass from Alejandro Flores de La Paz in the middle of the Orlando defense. Carmichael dropped off a pass to Bryan Destin at the top of the box, who snuck a shot past goalkeeper Javier Otero.
Match Notes:
- The match marked the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro match to be played at Generation adidas Cup.
- Shak Mohammed and Diego Pareja made their MLS NEXT Pro season debuts for OCB, as did First Team goalkeeper Javier Otero.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made six changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Huntsville City FC, with Javier Otero, Alex Freeman, Abdi Salim, Jeorgio Kocevski, Wilfredo Rivera, and Jack Lynn all getting the start on the night.
