KISSIMMEE, Fla. (April 28, 2024) – Orlando City B (2-2-2, 9 points) gave up a late goal to Toronto FC II (2-2-1, 7 points) in a 2-1 loss on Sunday afternoon at Osceola County Stadium. Midfielder Jesús Batiz scored the game winner off the rebound from a Javier Otero save in the 89th minute.
Toronto FC II took the lead within the first 10 minutes of the match with the first deflection coming off an Otero save that forward Charles Sharp put back for the goal. Orlando was able to pull even early in the second half with a Wilfredo Rivera volley. However, Toronto benefited from yet another Otero save that found Batiz on the far post, who struck the game-winner.
Coming on in the 87th minute, Yeiler Valencia made his first appearance for Orlando City B since signing this offseason.
The Lions will head back out on the road this Saturday, May 5, when they visit Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium for the first time in Club history. The match will kick off at 5 p.m. ET and air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Scoring Summary:
9’ Charles Sharp – TOR 1, ORL 0
The visitors took the early lead just nine minutes into the match. Toronto built up an attack into the Lions’ defensive third before Toronto midfielder Markus Cimermancic took a shot from outside the box that was initially deflected by goalkeeper Javier Otero. The ball found its way to Charles Sharp on the right side of the goal where he volleyed the rebound into the back of the net for the early lead.
50’ Wilfredo Rivera – ORL 1, TOR 1
The Lions found the equalizer early in the second half. Orlando found themselves deep in the Toronto defensive zone and were slowly building up an attack. Defender Manuel Cocca gathered the ball and sent in a cross in front of the goal that deflected off the head of a Toronto defender right to Wilfredo Rivera, who was then able to control the ball off his knee and send a volley from the top of the box past the Toronto goalkeeper to even the score at 1-1.
89’ Jesús Batiz – TOR 2, ORL 1
With the end of regular time approaching, Toronto was able to pull ahead with a rebound volley from Jesús Batiz. Second-half substitute Julian Altobelli was able to dribble his way into the Orlando box and sent a shot that once again rebounded off Otero’s save to the left side of the goal. Batiz came in unmarked and hit a one-timer to give Toronto the game-winning goal.
Match Notes:
- Coming in as a late-game substitute, Yeiler Valencia made his first-ever appearance for Orlando City B.
- Forward Wilfredo Rivera scored his team-leading second goal of the season.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made one change to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Crown Legacy FC, with Nabi Kibunguchy getting the start on the afternoon.
