KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2024) – Orlando City B (8-7-9, 37 points) took down Huntsville City FC (6-12-5, 23 points) 2-1 at Osceola County Stadium on Sunday night, with the win moving the Lions into a playoff spot.
Captain Imanol Almaguer got the scoring started for the Lions on a feed from Yutaro Tsukada. After scoring one goal in the first 21 matches this season, Almaguer has now scored in the last three consecutive games. Tsukada’s assist was his team-leading seventh assist of the season and moved into third place in MLS NEXT Pro.
Defender Alex Freeman scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 66th minute. The finish was Freeman’s fourth goal of the season and his second from the penalty spot.
Huntsville cut the lead in half in the 81st minute, and a potential equalizer was called off just two minutes later. OCB goalkeeper Carlos Mercado made four saves on the night, including one in second-half stoppage time to secure the Lions’ win.
The Lions will head back on the road to take on Crown Legacy FC at Sportsplex at Matthews on Sunday, Sept. 8. That match will kick off at 3 p.m. ET and can be seen on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Scoring Summary:
29’ Imanol Almaguer (Yutaro Tsukada) – ORL 1, HNT 0
Just before the 30-minute mark in the first half, the young Lions took the early 1-0 lead. Orlando City B built up an attack in the Huntsville defensive zone and forward Wilfredo Rivera dribbled through the defense, before sending a pass out to Yutaro Tsukada out wide. Tsukada pushed the attack inside the box and sent a low cross to Imanol Almaguer at the far post for the opening goal.
66’ Alex Freeman (Penalty Kick) – ORL 2, HNT 0
The Lions doubled their lead after converting on a penalty kick. Defender Alex Freeman led an attack inside the Huntsville box before being taken down by Jordan Knight, drawing a whistle from the official. Freeman took the ensuing penalty kick and drilled a shot into the upper-right corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
81’ Julien Gaines (Chris Applewhite) – ORL 2, HNT 1
The Boys in Blue got one back on the Lions late in the second half. Chris Applewhite controlled the ball deep behind the OCB defense and sent a pass back to Julien Gaines. Gaines faked out a Lions’ defender and ripped a shot from outside the box that flew by goalkeeper Carlos Mercado.
Match Notes:
- Captain Imanol Almaguer scored his fourth goal of the season and third in as many matches.
- Yutaro Tsukada picked up his team-leading seventh assist of the season, also tied for third most in MLS NEXT Pro.
- Alex Freeman scored his fourth goal of the season, second from a penalty kick.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made no changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against New York City FC II.
